Climate Change--A Personal Perspective

Plus Your Biweekly Roundup of Immediate Actions

Third Act Maine is a diverse bunch of over 400 climate-concerned Mainers over the age of 60. We thought it’d be good to get to know one another, so we’ll occasionally profile a fellow climate change activist in this newsletter. This week we’d like to introduce Renee Givner, who resides in Falmouth.

Reflection of a Third Act Mainer

The most difficult part about taking climate action is that it doesn’t feel like an immediate personal threat. It’s a threat I understand in my head and heart, but it isn’t instinctual to act urgently when I don’t perceive an immediate threat. Our evolutionary wiring evolved over thousands of years, not in days or months. We are wired to survive. The most important actions for most families are taking care of the basics: putting food on the table, working at a job that pays a living wage, and having a roof overhead. We act based on immediate needs. And I feel good with immediate rewards. I order stuff and buy stuff not only for what I need, but for what I want. I love getting it. It makes me happy. And it’s instantly gratifying. 

But I have grandchildren. I want them to be happy and successful when they grow up. I worry that they might experience the upheaval of losing their homes due to flooding. We might even lose whole coastal towns when the seas rise. I worry that my grandchildren won’t be able to enjoy the natural world the same way I have, that they will be witness to many more extinctions and stresses of species both in the seas and on land. I worry that my cavalier assumptions about buying what I want—my instant gratification—has come at a real price.

I am highly motivated. I am now making changes in my lifestyle—buying less and conserving energy. But I want to make a bigger difference, through collective action. In joining Third Act Maine, I contribute in a very social way and meet new friends who also care passionately about fighting climate change. I feel rewarded.   — Renee Givner

If you’re feeling anxious, or concerned, or alone in your climate grief, Third Act Maine is here to help. We’re building a community of Maine activists—share your climate change concerns or story by emailing us thirdactmaine@gmail.com. There are hundreds of climate activists in Maine; there are thousands, and millions, of us around the plant—get inspired by reading other climate stories. If you’d like to revisit our Portland 3.21.23 action—or if you missed it—check out the video here.

Action is a great antidote to anxiety, so here’s a fun list of 100 things you can do to help with the climate crisis. As you know, where we plant our retirement assets matters—we’ll have more in upcoming newsletters about ideas for replanting your retirement funds.

Third Act Mainer Actions for This Week

1. Do you want our state treasurer to divest the public retirement funds from fossil fuels? Sign this petition by 4/11! Third Act Maine is joining with 55+ organizations to petition State Treasurers across the country. We are asking the Maine State Treasurer to take our fossil fuel divestment message to corporate shareholder meetings this spring. The Treasurer is responsible for our state retirement plans and therefore has proxy power over many votes.

2. If you want to change credit cards or banks (away from Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and TDBank), there is a “Move Your Money” workshop starting on April 12 through our friends at This is What We Did. Sign up here.

3. Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. Join in the Earth Day parade in Portland on that day at 2 pm. Represent Third Act Maine and join with youth from Maine Youth for Climate Justice for a climate strike. The parade starts at Monument Square and proceeds the two blocks to City Hall. Signal your commitment to come by RSVP-ing here. Or just show up! Look for someone with a Third Act hat if you’d like to carry a Third Act banner.

4. Forward this newsletter to a friend or family member—we need your support to get each and every one of us talking about, and working toward, climate solutions.

If you’re curious about other education and actions see past newsletters from Third Act Maine.

And now for a little cringe-worthy humor—