As the picturesque landscape and abundant wilderness of Maine come to life after the winter months, outdoor enthusiasts like me get prepared for a season of exploring. However, amidst the excitement of adventures in the woods and along the shores of Maine’s pristine lakes lies a silent threat: ticks. These tiny arachnids–which are becoming more Read More
Lyme disease
Critter Chatter — Opossum: America’s Only Marsupial
A recent chat with Donald Cote at Duck Pond Rehabilitation Center was about opossums, as I couldn’t help but notice a large adult snoozing in a pet carrier in what used to be Carlene’s “doll room.” I’ve never seen one in the wild, although sightings in Maine have become common. My research provided conflicting information Read More
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 1679, the Governor’s Climate Bill
Senator Brownie Carson, Chair Representative Ralph Tucker, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources My name is Lisa Pohlmann, CEO of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. NRCM strongly supports LD 1679 because it is the right vehicle to jump-start Maine’s efforts to tackle climate change in ways that will benefit Maine people, Read More
Ignoring Climate Change Puts Mainers in Danger
Politics has stifled research that would have helped the state prepare for a warming planet. Central Maine Newspapers editorial Policy driven by research works better than science driven by politics. Witness Maine, which experienced a historic explosion in its tick population, and not coincidentally, a 20-fold increase in Lyme disease diagnoses between 2000 and 2016 Read More
We Can’t End Heat Waves, But We Can Take Steps to Keep Them from Getting a Lot Worse
Bangor Daily News editorial As Mainers sweltered through another week of hot, humid weather, many longed for the days of yore when the nights were cool and a 90-degree day was an anomaly. Those days are in the history books, replaced by ones that are, on average, hotter, more stormy and filled with increasing number Read More
Climate Change is Burning a Hole in Our Pocketbooks
By J. William Somes, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed How many times in a month do you turn on the news and find that a climate-related catastrophe has laid waste to another swath of land, claiming dozens of lives and billions of dollars in damages? The horror stories are, unfortunately, nothing new; Read More
Maine Researchers Explore Link Between Climate Change and Lyme Disease
Academic and health care investigators are learning more about the complex web of factors driving the expansion of tick habitat, including global warming. By Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The changing climate in Maine caused by global warming is potentially creating new tick habitats and accelerating the spread of Lyme disease, Read More
Join the Fight Against Climate Change
It’s necessary to take steps now for the sake of our kids and grandkids. by George Smith Bangor Daily News column What will it take to convince you that climate change is happening and is a problem that must be addressed? That was one of the questions posed at a recent Maine Climate Table meeting, Read More
Opposition to LD 771, An Act to Protect Political Speech and Prevent Climate Change Policy Profiling
Senator Lisa Keim, Chair Representative Matthew Moonen, Chair Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Climate & Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. NRCM strongly opposes this legislation for one overall reason. Although the bill Read More
