On Mar 5th York Public Library in York, Maine hosted a webinar with author, educator, and environmentalist Bill McKibben for a discussion on the current state of the climate crisis. He shared what he sees as climate action priorities right now, and his recommendations on how we, collectively, move toward that goal.
Part of the discussion focused on federal approval of a 2 million-acre wind energy area off the coast of Maine, and Governor Mills’ announcement that Sears Island is the preferred site for a port to support those windmills. Some might bemoan the port siting, and others may wish that the area’s size was not diminished by 80%. And it is going to take time—until the mid 2030s or 2040—for the project to be completed. But… perhaps the perfect is the enemy of the good in a time of climate emergency.
Bill McKibben, founder of Third Act, supports the project and its siting on Sears Island. He wrote an opinion piece in the Bangor Daily News and elaborated in a webinar earlier this month (sponsored by the York Public Library):
“We’ve got to be willing to make some changes. Some of those changes will need sacrifices. I know right now people in Maine are fighting over whether Sears Island should be a port for servicing the off-shore wind industry. I understand why people don’t want change of that kind. The point I’m trying to make is: We are in an emergency… The scientists tell us we have about six years to cut emissions in half… 2030 isn’t far away. It will take an all-out effort to get it done.”
Cletis Boyer co-chair of Third Act Maine’s Steering Committee, affirms this stance.
“This is clearly Third Act’s position now, and while individuals are free to disagree, and even work to reverse the decision, the state working group [Third Act Maine] must accept this position.”
See McKibben’s entire talk (Minutes 2-26) below, and Third Act Maine’s presentation, too (Minutes 26-33).