Climate & Community 7/10/25: Maine Climate Action Now with Ezra Sassaman (Part Two)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: Climate and Community continues the conversation with Ezra Sassaman, chair of the Bar Harbor Climate Emergency Task Force and Advocacy Coordinator for Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN). This segment highlights what motivates Ezra to be involved in climate action, the advantages and challenges of pursuing climate action in Maine, and why engagement in the climate movement matters.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 7/3/25: Maine Climate Action Now with Ezra Sassaman (Part One)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: This week, Climate and Community hosts Ezra Sassaman, the chair of the Bar Harbor Climate Emergency Task Force and Advocacy Coordinator for Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN). This segment highlights MCAN’S history, the strengths of the coalition, and why a justice-based approach to climate action matters.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 6/26/25: Climate Resilience in Tremont with Sarah White (Part Two)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: This week, Climate and Community dives into meaningful collaborations to address resilience from an emergency management perspective. Sarah explains the importance of relationship building and the necessity to further the work through the “ripple effect.”

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 6/19/25: Climate Resilience in Tremont with Sarah White (Part One)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: Climate and Community meets with Sarah White, a resident of Tremont to discuss how she became involved in climate leadership in her town. Sarah shares her background and insight on how others can take the leap into climate action in their communities.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 6/12/25: Clean Energy Day of Action and Maine’s Clean Energy Future (Part 2)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: Climate and Community continues the conversation with Josh Caldwell, the Climate and Clean Energy Advocate and Outreach Manager for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. In this segment Josh describes Maine’s clean energy goals and some of the ways Mainers might expect their lives to change as we transition to 100% clean energy. The conversation concludes with two of the most important actions anyone can take to begin contributing to a sustainable and just future.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 6/5/25: Clean Energy Day of Action and Maine’s Clean Energy Future (Part 1)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: Climate and Community hosts Josh Caldwell, the Climate and Clean Energy Advocate and Outreach Manager for the Natural Resources Council of Maine to discuss the recent Clean Energy Day of Action at the State House. This conversation highlights two bills, one which would commit the state to achieving 100% clean electricity by 2040, and another that would establish a Department of Energy Resources. We hear from Josh about why advocacy from the public matters, and the most effective ways to drive change at the state-level.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 5/29/25: Maine Climate Leaders Conversation (Part 2)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: Climate and Community shares insight from Johannah Blackman, the Executive Director of A Climate to Thrive, and Kathleen Sullivan, the Program Coordinator for Freeport Climate Action Now, who recently planned and hosted a gathering for Maine climate leaders. Johannah and Kathleen discuss the purpose of the conversation and the long term impact spaces like this one could have on strengthening the movement.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.

Climate & Community 5/22/25: Maine Climate Leaders Conversation (Part 1)

Host: Wilson Haims

Description: Climate and Community shares insight from Johannah Blackman, the Executive Director of A Climate to Thrive, and Kathleen Sullivan, the Program Coordinator for Freeport Climate Action Now, who recently planned and hosted a gathering for Maine climate leaders. Johannah and Kathleen discuss what sparked the idea for this gathering and why now is the time to convene climate leaders to grapple with the challenges of the moment and imagine a shared vision for the future.

About the Host:
Wilson Haims is from Portland, Maine and earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College in 2023. Upon graduating, Wilson contributed to climate and conservation-related field work, policy and community engagement work in New England and the Pacific Northwest. Now, Wilson is the Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience at A Climate to Thrive and spends her time hiking, running, making art and cooking on Mount Desert Island.
 
Johannah, Beth, Wilson, Gus, Alison and Angie are the team at A Climate to Thrive, a nonprofit working to build a model of community-driven, solutions-focused climate action. Since its origins around a potluck table as concerned neighbors gathered to take action on climate change, A Climate to Thrive, or ACTT, has been supporting solutions on Mount Desert Island and beyond since 2016. Learn more at www.aclimatetothrive.org.