A photo of MYCJ members at the Maine State House taken after lobbying on April 15, 2022. Julia St. Clair photo

TThe scale of the climate crisis is so immense that it can be overwhelming. For many young people, who are at risk of the most serious consequences, the consequences of inaction are too serious to ignore.

Maine Youth for Climate Justice (MYCJ) has branched into audio production, releasing the first of five podcast episodes this week to help Mainers better understand the barriers to implementing offshore wind energy, as well as the solutions.

According to Elise Hartill, co-director of MYCJ, “Wind Over Troubled Waters” aims to promote community dialogue and combat misinformation.

MYCJ is a coalition of more than 400 youth organizations across the state advocating for climate action and a transition to a livable future.

The Maine Youth for Climate Justice (MYCP) “Wind Over Troubled Waters” podcast series launched on November 12. Courtesy of Élise Hartill

“Youth” refers to people under the age of 30, primarily high school and college students, recent graduates, and early-career professionals.

All the groups that MYCJ collaborates with, such as Maine Environmental Education Organization and the Wabanaki Allianceare independent. They meet on Zoom to share their current projects and keep each other informed.

MYCJ works with secondary schools to engage students and has previously employed university interns. The collective is sometimes invited to speak in various classes, but they often organize educational events such as monthly classes on different topics.

“We strive to elevate young voices on complex issues,” Hartill said. “Much of our work involves synthesizing information to facilitate the understanding of noble concepts and enable young people to participate in decision-making processes. »

Combat misinformation

MYCJ works to address issues in the offshore wind sector, such as investigating cooperative ownership of projects requiring higher capital investments than solar.

“I approached the offshore wind space with skepticism,” Hartill said, remembering his own apprehension. “It was like a silver bullet – too good to be true. The more I learned, the more my support grew. Today, I really don’t believe we will achieve our goals as a state without it. »

A photo of MYCJ members in Monument Square taken on April 22, 2023, during an Earth Day strike. Julia St. Clair photo

HArtill argues that anti-offshore wind campaigns are fueling reluctance and creating confusion about its potential as a solution. That’s why MYCJ’s efforts, particularly its new podcast, focus on correcting misinformation.

“The oil industry promotes the idea that offshore wind power hurts fisheries,” Hartill said. “Climate change poses the greatest threat to Maine’s fisheries, and reducing carbon emissions is the most effective way to address it.”

MYCJ advocates for the responsible development and placement of offshore wind energy to minimize the impact on fisheries. State Law LD1895 now guarantees high standards in environmental protection, labor rights and fairness in production.

To reach a broader audience, MYCJ hosted a six-part webinar series in fall 2022, working with experts to explore various aspects of offshore wind energy development.

Dr. Habib Dagher, professor of civil and structural engineering at the University of Maine, discussed the technical aspects of installing floating offshore wind turbines. Dr. Damian Brady, associate professor of oceanography at the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences, expanded on this point by providing information on ecological interactions and potential impact on fisheries.

The series examined the strengths and weaknesses of the state’s climate goals roadmap, with participation from Dr. Alison Bates of Colby College. He also discussed opposition to offshore wind projects with Ben Martens of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and labor and economic issues with Grant Provost of the Maine Ironworkers Union Local 7.

The final panel, titled “Creating the Future We Want to See,” was moderated by young climate activists and presented the best potential outcomes for the state.

“We recognize that it’s rare for someone to watch six hours of recordings,” Hartill said. “We therefore chose to transmit this information in a more digestible way. »

Rolf Olsen, vice president of Friends of Sears Island, stands on the beach near where a wind farm could be built on Sears Island in Searsport on May 2. Ben McCanna/Photographer

A new podcast series

After receiving a grant from New England for offshore windMYCJ began reworking segments of the webinar into small podcasts, each around 20 minutes long.

Two years later, the conversation has evolved, prompting the team to revisit the topics covered in the webinars and incorporate updated information.

Narrators Negina Lowe and Ezra Sassaman explore wind energy in the new five-episode series. Topics include the history of wind energy, offshore development, impacts of stakeholder engagement on wildlife, equity and employment issues, the relationship between energy and the economy and young people’s perspectives on a sustainable future.

MYCJ has engaged a podcast distributor to make the podcast available on all major platforms.

THE first episodereleased on November 12, focuses on the Gulf of Maine – a region rich in history, culture and biodiversity that the podcast presents as “uniquely positioned for offshore wind energy development.”

But not everything goes smoothly. The hosts highlight political challenges, including opposition from fishing communities and the complexity of decision-making at the state and federal levels, raising the question: How can Maine manage these tensions?

New episodes will air on November 26, December 10 and 17, with the final episode scheduled for January.

MYCJ considered creating an additional episode on site selection for floating offshore wind energy development, but Hartill abandoned the project due to uncertainties surrounding the new presidential administration.

“There are many ways to influence the future of offshore wind, from public comment opportunities to tribal participation,” Hartill said. “The purpose of podcasting is to interact with people in a way that feels like a conversation.”

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