Cathy Lee shares what The Climate Table has learned about how to talk about the impacts of our changing climate with your neighbors and peers, and then learn about opportunities to start taking on climate change in your part of Maine.
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Change is in the Air: Let's Talk About it - Cathy Lee @The GrowSmart Maine Annual Meeting 2015
1. Grow Smart Maine
COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO A CHANGING CLIMATE
October 20, 2015
A Change is in the Air: Let’s Talk About it.
2. “Global Warming? The Greatest Hoax”
Chair, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
“Global Warming is…’A Liberal plot aimed at
massive government control of the economy, the
energy sector and every aspect of our lives.’”
U.S. Senator and Candidate for President
2
3.
4. Addressing Climate Change: Words and Deeds
• The Road to Paris: December 2015
• The White House Acts
• Here At Home: Past and Present
5. 1994: UN Climate Treaty ratified
2008: Kyoto Protocol takes effect
2015: A New Treaty in Paris?
Road to Paris
6. The Overall Objective of A New Treaty
To stabilize GHGs at a level that will
prevent dangerous climate change and a
temperature rise above 2 degrees C by the
end of century.
7. Two Tracks To A New Treaty
Side Events
Special Interest Groups
The Main Event
Governments
8. The White House Acts
The Clean Power Plan:
Reduce power sector emissions 30% below 2005
level by 2030
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9. Here At Home
The Past
• 2003 – State Climate Action Plan
• 2005 – Governor’s Climate Challenge
• 2009 – Maine and 9 other states launch RGGI
10. Here At Home
The Present
• The Bad News
• State action on climate has stalled
• The Good News
• Municipalities are installing larger diameter culverts
• Businesses are creating new markets
• Non-profit organizations are partnering with Fisheries
• New coalitions are forming
11. New Coalitions: The Maine Climate Table
Step 1: Understanding how to communicate about
climate
Step 2: Understanding the landscape
Step 3: A Call to Action
13. New Coalitions: The Maine Climate Table
Step 1: Understanding how to communicate about
climate
Step 2: Understanding the landscape
Step 3: A Call to Action
14. The Maine Climate Table
• MAINE COAST FISHERMAN’S ASSOCIATION
• MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
• COASTAL ENTERPRISES INC.
• MAINE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY
• TIDEMARK INSTITUTE
• LEE AUTOMALL
• LEE INTERNATIONAL
• UNITY COLLEGE
• REVISION ENERGY
• MAINE PEOPLES RESOURCE CENTER
• THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
• SIERRA CLUB
• MAINE LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS
• CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION
• ENVIRONMENT MAINE
• NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE
• 350MAINE
• ISLAND INSTITUTE
15. Thank you!
Cathy Lee, Founder
Lee International
go-worldlee.com
207-854-8500
cathy@go-worldlee.com
grew up in Lewiston. Practiced law in PWM. SINCE 2002 work in CC., Europe, Latin America and Sub-saharan Africa.
Also worked in US: RGGI, MSHA, CA HFA.
In 2008, looked like Congress was going to pass climate law, McCain-Leiberman. My EU business colleagues expanding, opening new ops.
That never came to pass, politics changed and by 2010, it seemed that no one was talking about CC , about preparing for impacts that were expected.
I was told by Legislator “Don’t say the words, no one will even listen .
In Maine: oceans warming, lobsters moving north, Dramatic increase in ticks and tick borne diseases because our winters are not as cold as they have been.
This is not a partisan issue. This affects all of us.
The loudest voices were saying things like this:
Those taking CC seriously, failing to communicate effectively in this country.
We were, still are, only country still a public debate about its existence.
I was feeling really worried - I have children, hope to have grandchildren some day and I personally believe we need to protect our environment for future generations. I worried that we’ll be caught with no ideas, no policies in place once the impacts started to hit home. No ideas to take advantage of opps.
About 3 ½ years ago, suggested MPRC join me inviting 12 people to meet to start a conversation. Start of Maine Climate Table.
A lot has changed in 3 ½ yrs. (SLIDE) Seeing more impacts.
Focus shifted from…
FROM POLAR BEARS TO PEOPLE.
CLIMATE TABLE growing and learning these past 3 years. (SLIDE)
Before John and I tell you more about CT. Put the issue into broader context.
UNFCCC
COP
COP 21:. Agree new treaty (Objective of new treaty)
Note: 3.5 degrees F
Can be overwhelming.
Engo- enviros
Ipo -indig. Peoples Orgs
Ringo - Research and independent NGOs
Tungo -trade union NGOs
Youngo - youth NGOs
Bingo
Lots of uncertainty about outcome but Mood becoming more optimistic.
Since Congress will not approve legislation, Pres. directed EPA.
Flexibility for states to comply in various ways
RGGI, seen by other states. Asking to join. Thru RGGI, Maine is already in compliance
Maine was at forefront of states taking action
Munis: taking actions that will reduce municipal costs and reduce GHG emissions, taking advantage of WX infrastructure, trained workforce.
You’ll hear more about these muni. actions and how the economy benefits.
Business: home heat pumps
wood pellet stoves
energy efficient boilers
contractor services
sales forces
Maine forestland owners, Improved Forest Management Offset projects under California Cap and Trade program.
NGOs: Gulf of Maine Research Institute studying impacts of ocean warming, new species and diversification.
Maine Farmland Trust
New coalitions…
Unique.
Today, we have > 80 orgs and individuals.
Want to be sure that our state is ready to respond, seize the moment for new economic initiatives that benefit our state and address CC.
We believe Maine people:
feel responsible, even if we didn’t cause the problem.
Want govt. to act, to protect us, to prepare us
What are we doing? (YALE SLIDE)
(YALE SLIDE)
Yale
Climate Table wants to help Maine regain position as leader.
What can you do? Look for ops. In your home, your town. To reduce, prepare
We’ll come back to you ask you to support The Climate Table’s Initiatives