The prospect of transporting ‘tar sands’ crude to Portland from Canada draws more than 200 to a forum at USM. By Dennis Hoey, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story PORTLAND – A pipeline accident that allows oil to get into Sebago Lake could contaminate the water supply for thousands of southern Maine residents, a Read More
climate change
Mercury and Birds
A report by the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI), finds that mercury contamination is at levels dangerous enough to cause physiological and reproductive harm in a wide-range of songbirds and bats in the 11 northeastern states, including Maine. The report, Hidden Risk, finds that certain species and habitats are of special concern. Bicknell’s Thrush, Rusty Blackbird, Read More
Weathering the Storm and a Dip in the Icy Atlantic
Having survived (can I say “enjoyed?”) NRCM’s New Year’s Eve day Polar Bear Dip & Dash and welcoming in the New Year with a sunrise walk with the dog through the Spurwink Marsh, I feel like I am entering 2012 with a good reserve of energy and optimism. Looks like we will all need lots of both. Before Read More
Recalling the Cold Sledgehammer: NRCM’s Polar Dip and Dash
By Jeff Wells I have felt the cold sledgehammer of ice water closing in on my head before—that’s what it felt like to me when I plunged under the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Portland’s East End Beach during the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s (NRCM’s) Polar Plunge in 2009. That was a Read More
Man Trapped in Polar Bear Costume
To raise awareness about climate change and to help raise funds to address it, one Natural Resources Council of Maine staffer has vowed to stay in a polar bear costume until NRCM reaches its pledge goals: Help us get him out of that costume! Please support our work for clean energy and efficiency by participating in Read More
George Mitchell: Climate Change Skepticism Will “Not Last”
By Seth Koenig, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader and world diplomat George Mitchell called upon President Barack Obama — and everyone else who backs stiff environmental protection laws and the science behind climate change — to be bold and persistent in the face of opponents Read More
George Mitchell Strikes Upbeat Tone
by Susan Sharon Maine Public news story Speaking to the annual meeting of the Natural Resources Council of Maine in Portland, today former U.S. Senator George Mitchell struck an upbeat note about the future of the nation’s polarized political system and the environment. Mitchell said he has faith the American public will find common ground Read More
Lawsuit Challenges Clean Air Act Exemption for Biomass Burners
Clean Air Task Force Washington — Conservation groups filed suit today challenging an Environmental Protection Agency rule that exempts biomass-burning facilities from carbon dioxide limits under the Clean Air Act for the next three years. The Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Georgia ForestWatch, Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Wild Virginia are asking Read More
Burning Questions: Some Thoughts on Firewood and the Environment, Part 2
My head is feeling better so I’m back blogging on firewood, picking up where I left off on Part 1 of this theme. Did anyone take a look at the Manomet Report? It concludes that using wood for heat (or for combined heat and electricity generation) is most likely to have a carbon benefit over Read More
