The Down to Earth Storytelling Project released its new film showcasing Maine climate change solutions on Jan 9 at the State House in Augusta. Film producer Andy (Anne D.) Burt, of Edgecomb, and film videographer/editor Charlie Hudson, of Wiscasset, joined Sierra Club volunteers from Lincoln County and other Maine counties to deliver the new film "Maine Roadtrip to the Future" to every legislator and the governor.

Using photos and filmed interviews of Maine “solutionaries” and their climate solutions from every corner of the state, the video opens with a story about the Grid Solar project in the Boothbay region. The project saved Central Maine Power ratepayers one-third of the estimated $18 million cost to upgrade the transmission line to the community, while employing many local energy businesses who installed energy efficient technologies and solar panels on municipal buildings, local businesses, and residences.

Another local story in the film features marine researchers from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and the Island Institute, who are investigating how raising kelp on an aquaculture site can reduce acidifying waters and protect Maine shellfish, one of the state’s most important economic resources. Video footage and photos from Maine Fresh Sea Farms, an aquaculture enterprise for research and sea vegetable production on the coast downstream from Damariscotta, also appear in the film.

“As I learned about the local signs of an impending ecological emergency — Gulf of Maine waters warming faster than nearly any other place on Earth, rising sea levels, more intense storms, and weather uncertainties for growing food — I countered my despair by looking for signs of Mainers taking action to address climate change and implementing solutions, “ Burt said. “I discovered there is a lot happening and I was eager to capture these hopeful signs on film to inspire others.”

Dozens of these hopeful signs Burt discovered begin to appear in the film on a map of Maine. Images from every county include solar on rooftops or in community solar farms, front-yard and community gardens and greenhouses, heat pumps and solar hot water, electric cars and charging stations, personal compost bins and large-scale composting facilities, and wind turbines.

“I was excited to release our film first to Maine policymakers who will be discussing and voting on many bills this session that can assist Mainers and their communities to accelerate the deployment of solutions similar to the ones showcased in the video,” Burt said. “For example, there are several pieces of legislation that will boost opportunities for solar power growth, energy efficiency and building weatherization standards, expanded research on marine waters protection, and pollution prevention. The Down to Earth Project will be following legislation related to our film and keeping the public apprised of public hearings and other developments.”

“Maine Roadtrip to the Future” can be streamed at the Down to Earth Storytelling Project website (downtoearthstories.org), where other films and information related to Maine’s involvement in climate justice action can be found as well.

For a film screening presentation to your group or school, please contact Andy Burt at 380-5387 or downtoearth145@gmail.com