The next decade is a critical time for the planet. Scientists say there will need to be a rapid, transformational shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. That's the threshold that avoids the most catastrophic effects of climate change. Can the world meet the challenge? And what are we, all of us, prepared to do about it?
To protect life as we know it, we'll need to be climate driven — and that's the name of an ambitious project our newsroom is undertaking over the next year and beyond.
We'll focus on climate change in Maine one county at a time. That means taking a deep dive into the effects of climate change on diverse regions of the state — the coast, the western mountains, the North Woods, Down East — and reporting not only what the science tells us but what communities, businesses and individuals are doing (or not) to prepare for the future that's unfolding.
We've planned this project as a road trip using an electric car and we hope you'll follow along. We'd also like to hear from you. If you've got a story idea in one of Maine's 16 counties or if you'd like to send us feedback, drop us a line at tellmemore@mainepublic.org.
The Climate Driven series is made possible through the support of Maine Public members across Maine and by Evergreen Home Performance, Lee Auto Mall, Casella Waste Systems, Maine Coast Sea Vegetables, and the Maine Community Foundation.
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(Click to view stories we have reported in each county.)
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A United Nations treaty finalized over the weekend would designate 30% of the world's oceans as protected areas, and put more money into marine conservation. Advocates say it's breakthrough after more than a decade of talks. -
Maine forests already absorb about 70% of the state's annual fossil fuel emissions. Now, a new study shows that Maine's commercial forest landowners could increase annual carbon storage by at least 20% over the next 60 years while maintaining timber harvest levels.
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High tides are now occurring as often as 18 times a year, typically in late fall and early winter, and late spring and early summer. They are quickly becoming more common as climate change causes sea levels to rise.
