In 2005, Sierra Club Maine formed a partnership with four health, energy, and faith organizations to develop and implement solutions to big-picture problems like climate change at the grassroots level. Maine Partners for Cool Communities was born, and began mobilizing volunteers to commit to positive actions to limit carbon emissions at the municipal level while educating the public on climate issues and smart energy solutions.
An advisory board was developed including representatives from industry, government, NGO’s, and Efficiency Maine. Together, they developed a program to get communities to sign on to the U.S. Mayor’s Agreement, which asked communities to take action that would meet or exceed decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 7% of 1990 levels by 2012 (in line with the Kyoto Protocol). They successfully reached out to 44 communities.
The Cool Starts with You! project complemented MPCC’s Cool Communities energy and climate change action programs already underway in over 50 communities in Maine. They collaborated on community-based initiatives to engage their constituents and their neighbors to take actions to improve indoor and outdoor air quality, promote cleaner energy sources, and mitigate/adapt to global climate change.
The signature program Green Sneakers, a door to door canvassing project, was created by Sierra Club Maine and offered homeowners help in making their homes more energy efficient. The program collaborated on weatherization projects with the Midcoast Habitat for Humanity and trained high school students to complete homeowner weatherization audits throughout the midcoast. Volunteers traveled throughout the state promoting the program while advocating for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The Green Sneakers program evolved and eventually culminated in the Climate Action Team Program following the 2014 Climate March in New York City. Sierra Club Maine’s Climate Action Team (CAAT) continues to support local action that will help our state meet 100% clean energy goals while building thriving communities.
By: Joan Saxe