top of page
MCAN_Web-07.png

NEWS

Follow our news page to learn more about our work,  successes, updates and job postings!

SIERRA-OFFSHORE WIND-WB.jpg.webp

January 8, 2024

Hope Floats in Maine

An unlikely coalition makes headway to launch the country’s first floating offshore wind farm. 

For generations, the deep waters in the Gulf of Maine have been the life source for the robust fishing and tourism economies for which the state is known. But today, the region is poised to provide a new resource: wind power

Untitled design (25).png

Sierra: Magazine of the Sierra Club

green_recovery_now_thrive_sunrise_bayarea.jpeg

August 29, 2022

Maine advocates praise Democrats' climate bill but worry about fossil fuel components

The Inflation Reduction Act is the biggest environmental investment in U.S. history, but Maine youth & climate activists say it falls short of what is ultimately needed to avert the worst impacts of climate change

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Evan Popp

Beacon

Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 3.08_edited.jpg

April 20, 2022

Opinion: Youth climate activists call on governor to honor sovereignty of Wabanaki

Maine Youth for Climate Justice (MYCJ) stands in solidarity with the Wabanaki Tribes in support of L.D. 1626 “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act.”

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Julia St. Clair

Beacon

Screen Shot 2021-11-05 at 1.43.00 PM.png

September 27, 2021

Stepping forward: Young Mainers leading on issues from climate to criminal justice

Maine may be the oldest state in the country. But a burgeoning movement of progressive youth making their voices heard on issues ranging from climate change to criminal justice reform — combined with a growing number of young legislators in Augusta — is leaving an unmistakable imprint on the state’s politics.

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Evan Popp

Beacon

rs-IMG_6893.jpg

July 11, 2021

Taking the future into their own hands

Youth activists, encouraged by the passage of a pioneering mandate, are leading the state and nation toward fossil fuel divestment.

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 6.17.23 PM.png

Marina Schauffler

Maine Monitor

npr.brightspotcdn.jpg

June 19, 2021

In landmark move, Maine becomes first state to pass legislation to divest from fossil fuels

In what environmental advocates called an important step forward for climate justice, Maine became the first state to commit through legislation to divest from fossil fuel companies after Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill this week.

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Evan Popp

Beacon

6BTLJKG4AQI6NEKFL5HKSFTNZM.jpg

June 10, 2021

Maine ready to divest from fossil fuels, and activists hope for a domino effect

A new bill passed by Maine’s Legislature requiring the state to divest its pension investments and other funds from fossil fuel companies is being hailed by climate activists as a major milestone, fueling optimism that more states and influential institutions could follow.

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 6.01.01 PM.png

Emma Platoff

Boston Globe

beth-copy-1900x700_c.jpg

May 17, 2021

Tribes, youth, labor uniting behind Maine’s climate justice movement

Labor groups and environmentalists have not always seen eye-to-eye. Historically, when groups came together to stand against climate change or environmental degradation, labor unions — a reliable ally on many progressive causes — were often missing from those fights.

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Dan Neumann

Beacon

DSC_0274.JPG

February 2, 2020

Maine Doing Right for Climate

I attended the second meeting of Maine Climate Council and participated in Maine Youth Voices Day on Jan. 29. 

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 4.13.16 PM.png

Melody Larson

Colby College, Waterville, ME

33020041_H26029475-720x445.jpg

January 29, 2020

These young activists want Maine to take bolder action on climate change

AUGUSTA, Maine — The figures presented to the Maine Climate Council on Wednesday were familiar. Over half of the state’s emissions come from transportation.

bdn-60.png

Caitlin Andrews

Bangor Daily News

GettyImages-1407548226-scaled-e1700073081266.jpg

November 15, 2023

Climate, labor groups rally behind new port as next step to bring offshore wind to Maine

Proponents for offshore wind in Maine are rallying behind efforts to build a new port to help bring the clean energy source online as soon as possible

logoFooter.png

Annmarie Hilton

Maine Morning Star

maine_youth_power2-1900x700_c.jpeg

August 4, 2022

Maine youth leaders question candidates about abortion, climate, housing

Youth leaders & activists highlight issues of abortion protections, LGBTQ rights, equity & inclusion, affordable housing & childcare, climate change with elected leaders & those seeking state office during "Youth Ask the Questions" forum

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Evan Popp

Beacon

Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 2.51.11 PM.png

April 13, 2022

Maine youth climate change activists descend on state capitol to push agenda

The halls of the Maine State House on Wednesday were filled with a different set of lobbyists – high school kids — there to press for greater action in response to climate change.

Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 2.53.23 PM.png

Phil Hirschkorn

WMTW

Katahdin-Baxter-State-Park-Wendy-Almeida-photo.jpg

July 25, 2021

Legislature produces results with work on climate change initiatives

On top of agreeing to divest from fossil fuels, lawmakers pass 10 measures that promise to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate impacts. [Three of MCAN's priority bills supported by member orgs are in this list].

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 6.17.23 PM.png

Marina Schauffler

Maine Monitor

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 6.15.00 PM.png

June 23, 2021

Maine leads the nation with new fossil fuel divestment law

On Wednesday, June 16, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 99 into law, directing the state pension system to divest from fossil fuels by 2026.

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 4.26.03 PM.png

Chloe Teboe

News Center Maine

npr.brightspotcdn.jpg

June 17, 2021

Mills Signs Bill To Divest State Investments From Fossil Fuels

Gov. Janet Mills has signed into a law a bill that directs the Maine Public Employee Retirement System to divest $1.3 billion from fossil fuels within five years and directs the state treasury to do the same with other state funds.

bTCD387x_400x400.jpg

Susan Sharon

Maine Public

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 6.05.02 PM.png

June 10, 2021

Youth activists support creation of consumer owned electrical utility

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) -Youth activists from high schools and colleges around the state gathered outside the State House Thursday in support of the bipartisan bill to create a consumer owned electric utility that would replace CMP and Versant.

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 5.58.09 PM.png

Spencer Roberts

WABI5

TAG_Climate_Protest_UMaine-2.jpg

April 16, 2021

The Youth-Led Fight for Climate Justice in Maine

In the face of historically exclusive spaces and performative actions, Maine youth are using their voices to flip the script through an unwavering focus on climate justice.

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.43.00 PM.png

Katie Yared

Climate XChange

AP_19263631170203.jpg

January 30, 2020

Young Maine Activists Call On Climate Council To Make A Zero Emission Goal For The State

Government scientists told the state's climate council Wednesday that Maine has been reducing its overall emissions of climate-warming pollution over the last several decades.

bTCD387x_400x400.jpg

Fred Bever

Maine Public

Screenshot 2023-11-15 7.52.18 PM.png

October 6, 2023

Building a welcoming, resilient Maine

A new tool shows in granular detail the ways in which neighborhoods across Maine and the U.S. are vulnerable to climate change

Screenshot 2023-11-15 7.43.23 PM.png

Annie Ropeik

The Climate Monitor

Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 2.39.34 PM.png

May 11, 2022

Color of Climate: climate justice as racial justice 

MCAN partnered with the Color of Climate to create the Crafting Your Own Climate Story workshop. You can find the youth participants’ stories

Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 2.42.44 PM.png

Kholiswa Mendes Pepani

Amjambo Africa

li-an-lim-ycW4YxhrWHM-unsplash.jpg

April 13, 2022

Youth Day of Action pushing for climate change

Youth climate justice coalitions across the state organized a Youth Day of Action at the Maine State House Wednesday morning.

Screen Shot 2022-06-13 at 2.45.34 PM.png

Cierra Jordan

Fox Bangor

Screen Shot 2021-07-26 at 12.33.27 PM.png

July 23, 2021

Stories from the session: On climate crisis, advocates worry ‘we’re not moving fast enough’

With wildfires and heat waves raging this summer across the U.S., it’s clear that the effects of climate change are situated squarely in the present tense. 

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Beacon

Climate is Changing.jpg

June 19, 2021

In landmark move, Maine becomes first state to pass legislation to divest from fossil fuels

In what environmental advocates called an important step forward for climate justice, Maine became the first state to commit through legislation to divest from fossil fuel companies after Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill this week.

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Evan Popp

Beacon

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 5.56.24 PM.png

June 11, 2021

Maine’s youth support a publicly-owned utility

AUGUSTA — High school and college students met outside the statehouse to show their support for a bill that would create a publicly owned utility company.

Screen Shot 2021-09-09 at 6.03.41 PM.png

David Horwitz

FOX Bangor

IMG_6116_edited.jpg

May 20, 2021

Green groups eyeing big climate victories in Maine Legislature

With the first leg of Maine’s 130th Legislature well underway, environmental advocates are optimistic that the progress made so far in committee work will translate to significant victories on a host of climate priorities this session.

Screen Shot 2021-05-19 at 1.46.02 PM.png

Evan Popp

Beacon

20200306_112608.jpg

March 6-7, 2020

Maine Climate Action NOW! Strong Presence at Western Foothills Climate Convergence

We were happy to have our partner coalition and statewide network Maine Climate Action NOW! (MCAN) join us for two and a half days of movement building and climate action during the 2020 Vision Climate Convergence.

CEBE_Logo_Words_Teeshirt_2017_edited.png

Scott Vlaun

Center for an Ecology-Based Economy

84625151_3441002209307001_10719080404683

January 29, 2020

Young activists say Maine climate goals not aggressive enough to protect their future

AUGUSTA, Maine — Emma Sawyer, a college student at USM, joined dozens of other young activists to send a message to Maine’s Climate Council.

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 4.26.03 PM.png

Don Carrigan

News Center Maine

bottom of page