Charting a Course Through the Chaos
Third Act Maine remains focused on our mission - to save democracy and the planet
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Together We Are Strong
It is getting pretty scary out there for those of us who care about democracy and the planet, but this is no time to lose heart. That’s exactly what the creators of Project 2025 are hoping we’ll do. But we must prove them wrong. We know that taking action in community gives our lives great purpose. As Bette Davis said, “Old age is not for sissies,” and we’re no sissies.
Follow these wise words from climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe:
EPC Rolls Out Legislative Priorities for 2025
In 2024 Third Act Maine (TAM) was honored to be accepted as a member of the Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), a statewide alliance of conservation, climate action, and public health organizations. Collectively, these organizations identify a slate of policy priorities to act on the climate crisis, further environmental justice, protect land, water, and wildlife; and cultivate healthy Maine communities. On Tuesday, January 14, Deb Fahy and Dick Thomas represented TAM at the rollout of the priority bills for 2025 to legislators at the Maine State House.
TAM is actively supporting the climate change superfund bill currently in development. Modeled on a similar bill that passed in Vermont last year, this legislation would make fossil fuel companies help pay for damage caused by climate change. Maine Youth for Climate Justice is taking the lead on this bill, and TAM is proud to be a partner supporting them in this important work, fulfilling our mission to “uplift youth.” TAM volunteers Deb Fahy and Cletis Boyer are representing us in the EPC. Learn more about each priority here: protectmaine.org
Third Act Maine at the Portland People’s March
An estimated 1,000 protesters, including almost 30 people from Third Act Maine, gathered in Monument Square in Portland on January 18 to join in community against the values and threats of the incoming Trump administration. After hearing great tunes from the Ideal Maine Social Aid and Sanctuary Band, everyone marched a few blocks to City Hall. Speakers represented a potpourri of issues, from reproductive rights to racial and gender equity and support for immigrants in our community. "We need to show up for each other in solidarity," reflected Molly Schen, co-facilitator of Third Act Maine.
Calendar
February 13, 20, and 27, 1 pm. Standouts at L.L. Bean, weather permitting. Please RSVP to Bill Rixon with your email and phone number in case of cancellation.
February 13, 8:30 am. Standout at Maine PERS, 139 Capitol St., Augusta. Wear a warm coat and hat! We have extra signs, so please come and join us for the protest and breakfast. For more information, contact Dick Thomas.
February 14, 1 pm. Western Mountains hub meeting. Old South Church, 235 Main Street, Farmington. The upcoming meeting will be devoted to new campaigns of local banks heavily invested in fossil fuel expansion, specifically tar sands.
TAM Hubs have not been hibernating through these frigid winter days. Standouts continue at L.L. Bean as do supports for Divest Maine’s divestment campaign. The last standout at Maine PERS, the Maine Pension organization, was very cold, but fun. Six of us had a nice discussion over breakfast afterward. Let’s keep the pressure on L.L. Bean and Maine PERS.
Big Banks, Net-Zero Commitments, and Politics
On December 31, 2024, Bank of America pulled out of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a UN-supported coalition of financial institutions committed to net-zero goals. In 2021 Bank of America had been a founding member of NZBA. At that time, they committed to climate-friendly goals including “ …transitioning operational and attributable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their financing activities to align with net zero pathways by 2050.” (Mark Segal, ESG Today, January 2, 2025)
Why were they, and several other big American banks, pulling out now? Political pressure. Republican lawmakers have accused the members of the coalition, and other financial institutions with net-zero goals, of antitrust violations and collusion. The election of President Trump gives the Republican-controlled Congress a green light to act on those threats. To read more, see these articles in Reuters and ESG Today and this report on NPR. This backpedaling on climate commitments by the big banks should reinforce our commitment to keep the pressure on these institutions to stop funding fossil fuel expansion.
Some Light in These Dark Times
Climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe writes: “Many of the world’s biggest companies are doubling down on their commitments to climate action and renewable energy. Why? Because these businesses see the harm climate change will cause to their bottom lines and the economic upsides to green power, and they’ve already sunk billions into these projects.” Read more here.
Additional good news: In response to President Trump’s decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement, Bloomberg Philanthropies, along with others, is stepping up to keep the United States’ funding and reporting commitments under that agreement. The last time Trump defaulted on our commitment to the Paris Agreement, Michael Bloomberg joined forces with then-Governor Jerry Brown and formed America’s Pledge, an organization that filled the reporting gap left by our withdrawal. Learn more about this and “America Is All In,” a coalition of American leaders committed to climate action here.
I Go Down To the Shore
I go down to the shore in the morning
and depending on the hour the waves
are rolling in or moving out,
and I say, oh, I am miserable,
what shall —
what should I do? And the sea says
in its lovely voice:
Excuse me, I have work to do.
Mary Oliver
#Mainers, I am asking for your help. A petition was created to remove our #Governor from office. It was signed by a couple thousand people. We are trying to show our governor that more people want Janet Mills in office. Please read, consider signing, and if you do, PLEASE SHARE! chng.it/kztsG6Z5Gv
How do we get involved?