MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • November 24, 2024
As a recreational Nordic skier, I have witnessed climate change wreak havoc on our winters. In the short four years of high school, winters grew warmer, slushier and muddier than ever before. Maine’s winters have reportedly warmed 5 degrees Fahrenheit and shortened by three weeks in the past century. Winter recreation, which includes Nordic skiing, contributed $68 million to the state economy in 2022. We need large-scale action. Start by reading the updated “Maine Won’t Wait” when available. Encourage your local officials to apply for a grant from Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership program to increase sustainability. Assist in the direct execution of “Maine Won’t Wait” by volunteering your time to the Maine Climate Corps Network. ~ Caitlin Sweeney, of Gray, student at Cornell University