Maine should do a better job engaging low income and disadvantaged people in planning for climate change, according to a new University of Maine study.
Poverty concerns should be at the heart of the state's climate strategies, said researchers from the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions.
Many Maine residents struggle with getting basic needs such as food, shelter and jobs, according to the report.
Those necessities "are not being met, and the connection between energy/climate solutions and meeting basic needs is not clear," study authors said in a report delivered to the Maine Climate Council.
The study was based on focus groups and surveys that involved more than 2,000 residents across the state. It comes as the climate council works through draft recommendations from its working groups on transportation, energy, infrastructure and other areas ahead of a four-year update due this November.
Respondents said that while they were interested in making their homes more energy efficient, but said there was not enough funding and barriers to accessing state incentives.
"There was just a strong call for funding and for centering poverty in all of the aspects of this planning and implementation going forward," Sharon Klein, one of the study's authors told the climate council.
An emphasis on public transportation over electric passenger vehicles also emerged as a strong theme.
The transportation sector is the biggest source of greenhouse gas pollution in Maine, and the state's climate action plan encourages adopting electric vehicles to curb emissions.
But respondents said they felt electric cars were too expensive and undependable and wondered why Maine wasn't putting more focus on public transit.
"Many people expressed that they felt that public transportation was hidden or not prioritized in working group recommendations, they were generally supportive of electrified public transportation," Klein said.
"People who live in north, northern and Down East communities do not see electric vehicles meeting their transportation needs," she added.
Overall, the research indicated that Maine planners can do a better job connecting and educating disadvantaged people in person about the intent of the climate plan and what benefits might be available to them, said Caroline Noblet, another study author.
"Meeting people where they're at is really important," Noblet said.
Maine Public’s Climate Desk is made possible by Androscoggin bank, with additional support from Evergreen Home Performance, Bigelow Laboratory, & Lee Auto Malls.
