Maine may be the oldest state in the country. But a burgeoning movement of progressive youth making their voices heard on issues ranging from climate change to criminal justice reform — combined with a growing number of young legislators in Augusta — is leaving an unmistakable imprint on the state’s politics.

“Seal the deal!” That was the message sent to Sen. Angus King and other members of the state’s delegation at a rally in Brunswick on Thursday, where Mainers called on federal lawmakers to support the budget bill moving through Congress, arguing that the legislation represents a historic opportunity to make much-needed investments in climate, care and immigration reform. 

Youth activists, encouraged by the passage of a pioneering mandate, are leading the state and nation toward fossil fuel divestment.

On Wednesday, June 16, Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 99 into law, directing the state pension system to divest from fossil fuels by 2026.

In what environmental advocates called an important step forward for climate justice, Maine became the first state to commit through legislation to divest from fossil fuel companies after Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill this week.

Gov. Janet Mills has signed into a law a bill that directs the Maine Public Employee Retirement System to divest $1.3 billion from fossil fuels within five years and directs the state treasury to do the same with other state funds.

High school and college students met outside the statehouse to show their support for a bill that would create a publicly owned utility company.

On Tuesday, June 8, Maine became the first state in the U.S. to pass fossil fuel divestment legislation. Maine joins a mass movement of institutions representing nearly $15 trillion in assets that have committed to divest.

Youth activists from high schools and colleges around the state gathered outside the State House Thursday in support of the bipartisan bill to create a consumer owned electric utility that would replace CMP and Versant.

Reigniting a fight from last legislative session, Mainers from a wide range of backgrounds urged members of the legislature Thursday to support a proposal to replace the state’s investor-owned utilities with a consumer-owned utility, arguing that the change would lead to more reliable and cost-effective power.

With the first leg of Maine’s 130th Legislature well underway, environmental advocates are optimistic that the progress made so far in committee work will translate to significant victories on a host of climate priorities this session.

Labor groups and environmentalists have not always seen eye-to-eye. Historically, when groups came together to stand against climate change or environmental degradation, labor unions — a reliable ally on many progressive causes — were often missing from those fights.

In the face of historically exclusive spaces and performative actions, Maine youth are using their voices to flip the script through an unwavering focus on climate justice.

The Lincoln Academy Climate Action Club asked the Newcastle Board of Selectmen to pass a “climate emergency resolution” this week but the selectmen declined, saying they do not have the authority to pass a resolution on behalf of the town.

In a week that saw a key permit awarded to the New England Clean Energy Connect project, environmental groups and citizen activists have again ramped up opposition efforts.

The youth-led online series showcases Maine’s young climate justice activists.

The cities plan to work together on regional strategies to reduce carbon emissions from buildings and eliminate virtually all waste in the next 30 years.

Five Maine activists share what motivated them to join the fight on climate change.

Sirohi Kumar and Ania Wright of Bar Harbor are among the six winners of the 2020 Brookie Awards, presented by NRCM Rising, a program of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, to honor “young changemakers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made a significant impact in Maine’s environmental movement.” 

Although physical rallies are cancelled, Maine climate change activists are taking their movement online for the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day.