Climate and environmental news coverage by the Maine Public News Team
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Climate change is happening here, right now in Maine. It has begun to amplify challenges in society such as housing, energy affordability, health, immigration and food security.
Maine Public reports on these changes every week over each of our platforms, and all that work starts at the Climate Desk. Maine Public’s in-depth reporting on these crucial stories details how our world is changing and explores new thinking on what we can all do to help mitigate and adapt to the changes taking place around us.
Maine Public’s statewide reach and trusted, balanced journalism uniquely equips us to cover complex stories like Maine’s changing climate. Find the latest in climate news in Maine here, at Maine Public’s Climate Desk. Check it out below.
Maine Public's Climate Desk is made possible by the generous support of:
Horizon Foundation; Jane's Trust; Maine Community Foundation; Maine Woodland Owners;
Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation; Onion Foundation; Orchard Foundation; UniBob Fund
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Murray Carpenter/Maine PublicThe Maine legislature will have final say over motor vehicle emissions standards, under a new law signed by Gov. Janet Mills. -
Robert F. Bukaty/APThe Gulf's annual average sea surface temperature was 52.6 degrees, nearly two degrees above normal, and the fifth-warmest year on record.
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Supporters want Maine to join other states that have adopted California's "clean cars" standards, which require carmakers in increase the percentage of electric vehicles sold in a state. But opponents questioned whether Maine is ready for a dramatic transition to EVs. -
A recent report from the research and journalism nonprofit Climate Central says the shortened winter season has given pollen-producing plants more time to grow more allergens. -
Preservationist groups nominated Maine's lighthouses for designation as heritage sites under threat following the destructive storms in December and January. The proposal was made as part of the 2025 World Monument Watch program organized by the World Monument Fund. -
Third Act Maine, Maine Youth For Climate Justice and other groups rallied outside of the MainePERS building in Augusta on Thursday, arguing that that the system has been too cautious in implementing a three-year-old law calling for MainePERS to divest from fossil fuels by 2026. -
Scientists, researchers and agriculture specialists presented a new assessment of climate change in Maine to members of the Climate Council Thursday. The council will use the projections to inform a new, four-year plan and recommendations, which is due near the end of the year. -
Environmental groups made one last call to state regulators to approve a controversial zero emissions proposal. But some state lawmakers believe it should be up to the Legislature to weigh in on these rules. -
The National Weather Service said the coast sustained wind gusts of 50 mph with more than an inch of rain that also caused power outages for thousands. -
About half of the funds would be used to rebuild working waterfronts and make them more resilient against weather extremes. Most working waterfronts are privately owned and are ineligible for public disaster relief money. -
The added cost would be paid for through rate increases, following multiple major storms last year. -
The funds will accelerate a Maine pilot program that has installed and tested whole-home heat pumps inside more than 60 mobile homes so far. The new grant will cover the installation costs for up to 675 additional mobile homes.
