The June heat dome that affected New England was tough by any measure. Are there ways to mitigate the impact of a heat wave that we could utilize in the coming weeks of July and August? Consider this scenario: it’s 95°F outside. Your air conditioner is humming at full blast, and your electricity meter is […]
sustainability
Posted inLocal & State
Kennebunk advances climate initiatives
The Kennebunk Select Board accepted a solar panel grant and eliminated single-use plastics in municipal offices.
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Posted inTimes Record
How to improve our climate with sustainable biochar
Biochar can enhance soil health, filter wastewater, improve thermal insulation, sequester carbon and more. Advantageous though it may be, biochar remains something of a well-kept secret. Here, let’s consider just one of biochar’s many virtues: its potential impact on the health of our climate. Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced from organic matter during a […]
Posted inNews
Land and water merge: Why South Portland’s Landcare Management Ordinance matters | Column
The well-being of our soils is inextricably linked to that of our waterways; land and water overlap via excess rainwater, which is only set to increase as storms intensify. With 16 miles of coastline, the city of South Portland holds a responsibility to protect our land and waterways from toxic chemicals and nutrients that are […]
Posted inTimes Record
Rethinking lawns: Summer sprinklers, streams and sustainability
After three months of Southern Maine weekends that included at least some rain (sometimes disappointingly affecting planned outdoor activities), discussions of droughts seem unnecessary. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports this month that Maine is experiencing minimal drought conditions. This represents a significant improvement from previous years. Maine has experienced significant droughts as recently as 2020-2022, […]
Posted inTimes Record
Curtis Memorial Library to host Sustainable Brunswick gardening lecture
Are your houseplants crying for help in silence? Does your compost pile look more like a science experiment gone wrong? Is your garden basically a patch of hope and weeds? You’re not alone. Join Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick for the June Sustainable Brunswick lecture, “Anyone Can Garden,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, in […]
Posted inTimes Record
How to make your overnight stays more sustainable
Going on a trip may upend one’s carefully crafted sustainability routines, but our last column showed that traveling more sustainably is possible. Let’s focus here on limiting one’s carbon footprint during overnight stays in conventional lodging. Whether spending the night in a hotel or a short-term rental, just maintain your daily habits. Save water by […]
Posted inTimes Record
Kick off summer gatherings sustainably with zero waste and twice the joy
Families are welcoming summer and gathering around grills outside, celebrating the long-awaited season with friends and neighbors by cooking and sharing delicious meals. Imagine if each of those gatherings generated zero waste while creating twice the joy. The path from good intentions to significant impact starts simply with rethinking how we share meals and cookouts. […]
Posted inLocal & State, News, Times Record
Expert chef cooks up fish lunch for Freeport students
Barton Seaver, an expert sustainable seafood chef and educator, volunteered his culinary expertise to cook a flounder-based dish for Morse Street School.
Posted inTimes Record
How to tackle summer travel sustainably
Modern travel seems inherently unsustainable. For instance, airplane flights constitute a notoriously carbon-intensive activity, and on a trip, it is a struggle to avoid wasteful single-use plastic. Although staying home may be the most eco-friendly approach to traveling, many adaptations can reduce a trip’s carbon footprint. Mainers can avoid a plane flight by sticking to […]