The People’s Climate March and its implications for Maine

By Judy Hummel

    On Sunday, Sept. 21, close to 400,000 people came together in Manhattan from around the country and the world to march across the city to UN Headquarters. They were demanding that the world’s leaders meeting at the UN this week finally agree on effective policies to head off the worst effects of climate change that are already affecting the entire world. 

    Scientists have known for over 150 years that trace gases in our atmosphere are responsible for the so-called greenhouse effect that keeps Earth about 60 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it would be without them. But over the last 40 years, scientists have also concluded with increasing alarm that human activities which are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations are in fact pushing the climate to a new, warmer state most likely not seen for millions of years when Earth had no permanent ice and much higher sea levels.  They have also learned that such shifts are always accompanied by an increase in extreme weather events that can wreak havoc on ecosystems and societies.
    Because of the seriousness of this unfolding climate crisis, many local groups around the world are meeting to discuss what the implications are for everyone in each region. Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) will be discussing these matters at the next First Friday meeting at the Abbot Memorial Library Oct. 3 starting at 7 p.m. Call 924-3836 or 277-4221 for more information.