MAINE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS EXPO AND SUMMIT, MARCH 12 IN AUGUSTA

Clean energy businesses, legislators, college presidents, citizens demonstrating exciting initiatives on climate change
Augusta, Maine - A powerful coalition of businesses, higher education institutions, farmers and gardeners, winter sports enthusiasts, faith communities, Native nations, environmentalists, and community development financial institutions will be holding the first major initiative on solutions to climate change in Maine from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday, March 12, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Climate Solutions is two concurrent events on one day, bringing together people and organizations throughout Maine to demonstrate that there is extensive support for action on climate change and already much work being done.

An Expo will feature 80 business, non-profit, and educational organizations, exhibiting initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and adapt to a changing climate. Presentations throughout the day will focus on Energy Efficiency, Adaptation Planning, Transportation, Winter Sports, Growers, Fisheries, and much more.

A noon plenary session, The Voices of Maine Working People, will give an opportunity for people on the ground in farming, forestry, fishing, wildlife, and public health to tell their stories about the changing climate and how they are adapting.  All Expo sessions are free and open to the public.

A Climate Solutions Summit, happening concurrently with the Expo, will explore climate policy. President Stephen Mulkey of Unity College will open the Summit with a keynote address, followed by morning and afternoon work sessions on a “Maine 2020 Vision”. The Summit will conclude at 4:00 pm with a panel of legislative leaders discussing current and future climate policy options for Maine.  Participation in the day-long Summit requires registration in advance at a fee of $25 - anyone interested can sign up on-line at: http://ClimateSolutionsME.org/event-registration/summit-registration/.

A special feature of Climate Solutions will be a College and University Presidents’ Summit.  Stephen Mulkey of Unity College, Darron Collins of College of the Atlantic, Paul Ferguson of the University of Maine, Kathryn Foster of the University of Maine at Farmington, Laurie Lachance of Thomas College and Richard Hopper of Kennebec Valley Community College will discuss climate mitigation and adaptation as they relate to higher education.  The Presidents’ Summit will be free and open to the public from 1:15 to 3:00 pm.

More than a dozen middle and high schools will send field trips to Climate Solutions, some of whom will display their own projects focused on climate change.  Higher education students are also planning activities throughout the day.

Climate Solutions partners and major supporters include 98.9 WCLZ, Evergreen Home Performance, Lamey-Wellehan Shoes, Maine Alternative Comfort, ReVision Energy, Island Institute, Time & Tide Resource Conservation and Development Area, and Unity College.

More information on the Climate Solutions Expo & Summit is available online at climatesolutionsme.org.