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Poll results

On Monday, Gov. Janet Mills addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, telling world leaders that Maine will have a carbon-neutral economy by 2045. Invited to speak by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, she became the first sitting Maine governor to address the international organization.

Mills' pledge was a similar breakthrough. Over the past year, many states have set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within their borders. But only a few, such as California, have pledged to become carbon-neutral — meaning they will emit no more carbon dioxide into their air than they remove from it, for example by planting trees or through technology.

These more aggressive goals have drawn skepticism. But supporters say they are achievable, will ultimately benefit the state economies, and are the type of steps critically necessary if we are to save the planet.

"We've got to unite to preserve our precious common ground, for our common planet, in uncommon ways, for this imperative purpose," Mills told the UN. "Maine won't wait. Will you?"

Can Maine become carbon-neutral by 2045, as Gov. Mills has pledged?
Yes, absolutely. We already have the means. (23%, 28 VOTES)
Probably, but there are still significant challenges ahead. (25%, 31 VOTES)
There's a 50-50 chance. (6%, 8 VOTES)
Probably not, there are too many economic, technical and other challenges. (26%, 32 VOTES)
No way. The goal sounds good, but it's just not feasible in that timeframe. (20%, 25 VOTES)
Poll Description

On Monday, Gov. Janet Mills addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, telling world leaders that Maine will have a carbon-neutral economy by 2045. Invited to speak by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, she became the first sitting Maine governor to address the international organization.

Mills' pledge was a similar breakthrough. Over the past year, many states have set ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within their borders. But only a few, such as California, have pledged to become carbon-neutral — meaning they will emit no more carbon dioxide into their air than they remove from it, for example by planting trees or through technology.

These more aggressive goals have drawn skepticism. But supporters say they are achievable, will ultimately benefit the state economies, and are the type of steps critically necessary if we are to save the planet.

"We've got to unite to preserve our precious common ground, for our common planet, in uncommon ways, for this imperative purpose," Mills told the UN. "Maine won't wait. Will you?"

  • 124 Votes
  • 3 Comments
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3 Comments

  • September 26, 2019
    Because the cost of solar panels has dropped by 80% in 10 years, solar electricity is now cost-competitive with utility electricity from natural gas power plants. A solar array installed in Maine yields about the same annual output as an array installed in Houston, TX, because solar panels are more efficient in dry, cool climates like we have in Maine and because our latitude is exactly the same as sunny places like the French Riviera. It is now cheaper for Mainers to heat their homes with heat pumps powered by solar than it is to heat with oil, propane and natural gas. It is cheaper to drive an electric car charged with solar electricity than it is to drive a gas-powered car. Yes, it's still going to be a challenge to transition society to renewable energy, but make no mistake that we have all the cost-effective tools we need to abandon fossil fuels.
  • September 25, 2019
    We are very dependent on fossil fuels to stay warm in the long Maine winters. Wind power does not create enough energy and is bad for many animals such as bats which are being killed off by the air pressure created by huge wind turbines. Most Mainers can't afford solar panels, electric cars, etc. Additionally, I don't think most of the changes to the earth's climate are even controllable by people. The climate has always been changing and will continue to change; we should put our efforts into how to adapt to the changing climate.
  • September 25, 2019
    I say 50/50 because there are so many unknowns, the biggest of which is will be the next sitting governor and the ones after that continue the plan.