Climate change is no longer a subject to debate—it’s already here and affecting the lives of Mainers. Folks in the lobster industry are experiencing this firsthand as our coastal waters are warming, lobster populations are shifting northward and invasive warm-water species are rapidly moving in. Scientists at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute estimate that 30 years from now, warming could reduce the lobster population up to 62 percent.
Average temperature changes and increased frequency of heat waves are already affecting Maine agriculture, altering crop growth and the health and productivity of dairy cows and other livestock. As a community home to many farms, this is a pressing issue for our town of Gorham.
We are in the midst of a climate crisis that demands our attention. Especially as the federal government continues to take steps backward on this issue, it is the responsibility of state lawmakers, like those of us in Augusta, to prepare our industries, alter our infrastructure and protect our environment against the impacts of climate change.
Although there is a lot of work still ahead of us, I am proud of the progress that my colleagues and I have made so far. We became the first state in the nation to ban uses of polystyrene, a material commonly known as Styrofoam. I was pleased to vote for this legislation because polystyrene never fully biodegrades when littered and the way its manufactured results in significant greenhouse gas emissions.
We have also advanced legislation to address the serious issue of plastic pollution in our oceans by banning single-use plastic bags and a bill to prohibit “forever chemicals” in food packaging. These chemicals, PFAS and phthalates, are not only harmful to our environment, they also affect our personal health and have been linked to cancer.
Including our islands, Maine has over 5,000 miles of coastline that is at risk of being submerged as sea levels rise and storms increase in intensity. Towns and cities along the coast need to be planning for how this will affect buildings, infrastructure and sewage treatment facilities. We recently passed a bill into law to assist municipalities with preparing for this.
Lastly, we have taken important steps to help Maine transition to green energy by passing LD 658, a bill to direct a plan for energy independence, and advancing LD 1282, a bill to promote the growth and development of clean energy jobs. Both LD 658 and LD 1282 address the challenges of climate change in a manner that will strengthen Maine’s economy. I am beyond proud of my colleagues in the Maine House of Representatives for working so hard on these bills.
As your elected representative, it is my responsibility to do everything I can to ensure the wellbeing of our community and future generations of Mainers. This means confronting the climate crisis head-on by supporting innovative legislation. I am proud of the steps that we have taken in the 129th Legislature to protect our environment and communities from the effects of the climate crisis, but we have a ton of work left to do.
Please reach out to me at any time to share your experiences, thoughts or concerns—I am best able to address the needs of our community when I hear directly from you.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. She serves on the Taxation Committee.
(207) 712- 9735 | (800) 423-2900 | maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov