Survey: Climate hopes for the new year

In January 2022, ABCD sent a survey in our monthly newsletter (and our our website and Facebook page). Respondents were asked in multiple-choice form, what gives you the most hope for climate change this year? 13 people responded, including a couple later responses through July 2022. Comments are shown in full below (Question #2).

__ Increased local awareness & community action

__ Individual consumer choices and actions

__ Solar farms / renewable electricity

__ Ingenuity of humans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

__ Changes in the national political landscape

__ Changes in Maine’s political landscape

__ Progress on Maine's Climate Action Plan

__ Other

The most-chosen item was "Increased local awareness & community action", followed by "Solar farms / renewable electricity" and "Progress on Maine's Climate Action Plan".

Other items mentioned included "The action and organizing of young people to address climate change and environmental justice", and "Inclusive community forums, such as this one."

I did not check the boxes related to political landscape because I'm not sure those will last more than another year; however, I do hope that there will be growing awareness across the political spectrum of the disastrous effects of climate change--unprecedented fires, floods, etc.--that affect everyone regardless of their political affiliation.

I hope the Maine legislature passes the Pine Tree Amendment which would guarantee the right to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment for all Maine people. The Pine Tree Amendment would add these environmental rights to the state constitution. In order to do this 2/3 of the state House and Senate have to approve the bill (LD 489). If they do, then the Pine Tree Amendment would appear on the ballot in November of 2022, and would need a majority of Maine people to vote "yes" in order to pass and become law. There is good momentum in the state to add environmental rights to our state constitution, but we need help to pass it, especially in the House. I hope that people will contact their representatives in Augusta and ask them to support this important initiative!

Invest in solar and offshore wind

I am trying very hard to do what I can as an individual and to communicate my concerns to government officials. I hope that the political landscape does not regress in terms of climate policy - we need to do more!

I am most concerned about food production being challenged long term and already challenged, here and world wide. Also learning how to cope with heat without machinery.

I’m hopeful for greater awareness and conversation on local scales

The invasion of Ukraine is spurring European countries to examine and curb their reliance on fossil fuels, largely from Russia. I hope the US will feel pressure to get more serious in our own efforts.

Also, the climate/environmental issues surrounding the influx of large industrial aquafarming proposals in Maine is starting to receive state-wide attention as a real threat to both our environment and our climate goals and concerns.

Our City needs to wake up to the realities of this corporate invasion.

I believe that increased community education, awareness and participation will lead to the other items listed below.

I hope that each US citizen makes reducing their carbon footprint their #1 goal.

I'd like to be more aware and hear the ideas and observations of others.

I have been actively waving my arms about climate change and our lack of reponse since 2006. I don't think we have been able to prioritise it. (I used to live in hot low income countries with autocratic governments)