Amplifying Rural Voices in Maine Climate Planning

Authors

J. Cressica Brazier, University of MaineFollow
Sharon J.W. Klein, University of MaineFollow
Jasmine Lamb, University of MaineFollow
Caroline L. Noblet, University of MaineFollow
Louise Chaplin, University of MaineFollow
Sonia Leone, University of MaineFollow
Catherine Mardosa, Androscoggin Valley Council of GovernmentsFollow
David Hart, Principal Investigator; University of Maine, OronoFollow
Linda Silka, University of Maine - MainFollow
Natalie Michelle, University of MaineFollow

Abstract

In 2024, the University of Maine’s Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions partnered with the Maine Climate Council to support the update of Maine Won’t Wait, the State’s climate action plan. This project focused on expanding participation to include people not engaged in the original 2020 plan development and people who may experience barriers to engagement: households with low incomes, people of color, older adults, and rural and climate frontline communities. The Mitchell Center team partnered with 21 community-based organizations to conduct 73 engagements in 26 communities, collaborated with Wabanaki partners, and implemented a statewide survey co-designed with partners. Engagement and survey findings highlight the importance of climate solutions that meet basic needs—affordable transportation, housing, heating, and community services—and education, capacity building, and funding that address climate change and the cost of living in coordination. These insights informed the 2024 climate plan update and continue to guide policy development and implementation.

First page

159

Last page

170

Rights and Access Note

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.53558/rmri3266

Recommended Citation

Brazier, J. Cressica, Sharon J. Klein, Jasmine Lamb, Caroline L. Noblet, Louise Chaplin, Sonia Leone, Catherine Mardosa, David Hart, Linda Silka, and Natalie Michelle. "Amplifying Rural Voices in Maine Climate Planning." Maine Policy Review 34.2 (2025) : 159 -170, https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr/vol34/iss2/21.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.