A few weeks-ago, we experienced the warmest January in Human history and, simultaneously, January ended the warmest year on record since pre-industrial times. These temperature events have now cracked the temperature ceiling often cited as critical by the UN, NASA and NOAA of 1.5 degrees Celsius, which translates to almost 4 degrees Fahrenheit (3.74F). Add to that the climate instability we see in the storms, floods, droughts, etc. No wonder many Maine Towns are convening Resilience and Sustainability Committees to address the impacts of anticipated, extreme weather events.
The key to our climate unraveling is, of course, the reduction of fossil fuel emissions. Climate Action Net, for more than a decade, has endeavored to bring awareness of the climate emergency and remedial actions to the attention of the Greater Blue Hill Peninsular community. Several such actions were the Greenhouse Project, introducing WindowDressers to our community and promoting the conversion to solar for our schools, towns and individual households. These actions and others have had some impact on emissions, but there is an issue in our own back yard (across Upper Penobscot Bay) that is going to have much more of an impact on emissions: off-shore wind generation (OSW).
Maine’s venture into OSW seems definite. The massive project checks all the boxes to be approved: high-level jobs and training, a new future- oriented industry, many community benefits, articulation with the University of Maine and a stabilizing influence on energy prices. Most impacted groups are in agreement that it should go forward, but there is a major controversy about its siting. That is, where the enormous facility necessary to fabricate and launch the wind turbines will be located: Sears Island or Mack Point in Searsport.
We can all agree that every action toward reducing our dependency on fossil fuel involves tradeoffs. There are no perfect solutions. However, inaction is not an option if we seek to avoid the worst consequences facing humanity and all living systems on this beautiful Earth we call home. Let us all commit to supporting the communities in our State that are courageous and forward-thinking enough to embrace radical change for the sake of the common good.
Tony Ferrara, Climate Action Net Coordinator
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