Let's Save The Planet and Democracy
There's No Time to Waste
Bringing the Heat This Summer
Freeport
Third Act Mainers celebrated Independence Day by gathering in front of L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport to demand “Independence from Fossil Fuels.” The group held signs and sang patriotic tunes as the Freeport Independence Day parade marched down Main Street. This action was part of Third Act Maine’s continuing campaign to pressure the beloved Maine retailer to rethink its credit-card relationship with Citibank, one of the dirtiest of the “dirty banks” funding fossil fuel expansion. How can you “Be An Outsider” when it’s 100 degrees outside? Read the Portland Press Herald coverage of the event here.
Augusta
On July 11 the Summer of Heat came to MainePERS in Augusta for a lively rally organized by Divest Maine—of which Third Act Maine is a member. We brought the heat to MainePERS for its refusal to divest from fossil fuels. With speeches, signs, songs and a spirited conga line, the intergenerational crowd delivered the message loud and clear: “Stop Burning Our Planet with Our Money.” Watch the coverage of this event on News Center Maine here.
Calendar
July 30: Midcoast Hub Postcard Party, The Commons House, Ecovillage, Belfast, 1:00pm-3:00pm
August 3: Leafleting with Veterans for Peace at The Great State of Maine Air Show, Brunswick Executive Airport, Main gate, 9:00am
September 5: Third Act Maine’s annual state-wide gathering: Saving Democracy and the Planet, Universalist Unitarian Church, 69 Silver Street, Waterville, 10:30am - 3:30pm. Register here.
Join the Costco Postcard Party in Belfast
The Midcoast Hub has a goal of writing 100 postcards to Costco, encouraging this well-regarded company which partners with Citibank, to pressure Citibank to divest from fossil fuels. The postcards will be sent to TA Central to be delivered by hand at Costco headquarters. The goal of this nationwide effort: 4000 total. July 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Support Veterans for Peace
Third Act Mainers are invited to ally with Maine Veterans For Peace as they leaflet at the entrance of the Brunswick Executive Airport to highlight the US military’s enormous carbon emissions. Come help distribute leaflets and enjoy the band and speakers. Click here for more information. August 3, 9:00am
Save Democracy and the Planet
Let’s meet Third Act Mainers from all around the state! All five Hubs (Midcoast, Greater Portland, Central, Lincoln County, and Western Mountains) are warmly invited, as are people who live outside of those Hubs. Space is limited, so register here today!
Keynote: Dr. Susana Hancock, “Exploring the Arctic and Seeing Into the Future”
What does it mean to experience a landscape? What about one that is changing daily and with global consequences? Part science, part adventure, Susana will take us on a journey through her beloved Arctic as she seeks to fill in knowledge gaps that shape what we know about the future.
Dr. Susana Hancock is someone who goes to the ends of the Earth to save the climate. The Maine native is a transdisciplinary climate scientist known for clicking into her skis and conducting research in some of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems: the polar ice caps. There, she has waited out hurricanes in snowbanks, pulled plastics from the sea ice, reduced [her own] dislocated shoulders, watched crevasses rip open glaciers, and experienced intense hallucinations from skiing through whiteout conditions for weeks at a time. When not pulling her sled across the poles for months at a time, Susana advises global leaders, heads of state and decision makers to understand the implications of polar-driven climate risk on public health and mitigation/adaptation practices around the world.
Additional Guest Speakers:
Robert Shetterly, sharing his Americans Who Tell The Truth project
Kathleen Miel, sharing accomplishments and hopes of the Environmental Priorities Coalition (of which Third Act Maine is now a member!)
Nicole Diroff, Associate Director of The BTS Center, offering spiritual grounding in a climate-changed world
Workshops will include:
Pick-Up Climate Choir
If you enjoy singing with others, join our Pick-Up Climate Choir! We will convene towards the beginning of our event, tune our voices and sing--in harmony--for our peers later that day. The songs we sing will be handy at stand-outs, at postcard writing parties, etc. The Climate Choir has a joyful job to do, at this event and beyond.
When you register, be sure to let us know if you're interested in joining the Pick-Up Climate Choir. Lyrics and simple recordings will be sent in advance via email.
Get Out the Vote
As the election nears, our goal of protecting democracy is front and center. In this workshop we will be writing to registered voters in swing states, reminding them of the importance of their vote this election. We do not endorse candidates but highlight the importance of protecting democracy and Mother Earth.
Thursday, September 5, Universalist Unitarian Church, 69 Silver Street, Waterville, 10:30am - 3:30pm. Space is limited, so register today! RSVP here.
Welcome to our newest hub!
On Sunday July 14, eight residents of Lincoln County pressed together on a small porch in Demariscotta to launch the newest Hub in the State of Maine. Led by Marnie Sinclair of Damariscotta and supported by TAM cofounder Chuck Spanger, the new Hub already has plans for a postcard campaign and a Get-Out-the-Vote bridge stand-out.
What If AARP Joined the Climate Fight?
The monthly issue of the AARP magazine often features articles like “Three Easy Exercises to Improve Your Posture” or ads for mobility scooters, hearing aids, and walk-in tubs. But don’t think that’s all that AARP is about. With over 38 million members, this organization has shown itself to be a strong and effective advocate for issues of great concern to elders. Imagine if it decided to join the climate fight in a big way. Help make that happen by signing this petition from the advocacy group 38 Million+.
Sign the petition urging AARP to take a leadership role in supporting climate action. You do not need to be a member of AARP to sign.
Need a Break from the Climate Crisis? Consider the Lobster
Craving some woods and water to refresh your soul this tumultuous summer? Make your way to The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm to walk the seven miles of trails, dip your toes in the ocean, and see “Consider the Lobster: A Decapod Odyssey in Art.” The exhibition deftly combines art and science and brings attention to the urgency of protecting Maine’s coastal environment. Learn more about visiting Wells Reserve here.
We Want to Hear From You!
The news is rich with descriptions of how the world is changing because of climate change. But we want to hear from you. What are YOU noticing that is different? If we get enough responses, we'll weave together a collection of your observations. Take a breath, sit back, and think about what's different now than it was in your childhood, or even just a couple of years ago. Write a brief description of the change here.
No time to waste, let's go!