In The News

By Laurie Schreiber / Mainebiz An influx of new families on Great Cranberry Island promises hope for a sustainable year-round community. Their move here was made possible by the development of affordable housing in a real estate market that is otherwise outpriced for moderate incomes. Great Cranberry is one of seven islands that shared a 2010 allotment of $2.7 million earmarked by the state for affordable, energy-efficient new construction, renovation and replacement housing.

Monhegan Brewing Company and the Island Institute announced Wednesday the release of the new island-themed beer, a “summer blonde” brew named 15, after the 15 year-round island communities on the Maine coast. Artwork for the beer label was provided by Monhegan artist Donna Cundy. The Island Institute will receive $1 for every bottle of 15 sold. Monhegan Brewing co-owner Mary Weber said that they support the work of the Island Institute, which helped Monhegan Brewing at its start by providing some capital funding through a loan.

Fishermen used to go out at 5 a.m. and come home at 3 p.m. But now, Susie Arnold, a researcher at the Island Institute who works with local communities, says that fisherman are beginning to buy larger boats to make longer, even overnight, trips to where the lobsters now live. And while government climate reports recognize moving lobster fisheries as a potential issue, Maine doesn't have any solutions in place to help the fisherman.

In 2010 and 2012, Maine voters approved $14.25 million in bonds to support multiple conservation priorities, including the privilege of fishing communities to pass on critical working waterfront access sites to the next generation of commercial fishermen.

The U.S. Department of Energy's WINDExchange Summit in Orlando on May 18 provided an opportunity for the audience to learn more about the current status of the wind energy industry. The audience included members of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), national lab representatives, Regional Resource Centers, state energy officials, and professional and institutional partners.

The Maine Broadband Coalition takes a pro-active approach on many bills pending this session in Augusta. A collection of Maine businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations has formed the Maine Broadband Coalition to help state policy leaders improve the quality and speed of Internet services.

Our marine programs director Nick Battista and marine programs associate Rebecca Clark guest-authored a post at the influential blog Talking Fish. In it, they argue that the success of the national ocean planning process depends on the inclusion and resolution of community members' opinions and concerns.

When Holly Zadra suggested that Pittsfield’s First Universalist Church divest its holdings in fossil-fuel corporations, she recalls that church councilors responded with awkward silence “as if I’d said something impolite.” People naturally resist discussing their complicity in an energy system that is destabilizing the planet.

The New York Times reporter Diane Cardwell follows the participants in the CIERA program—the first of many planned collaborative projects between the Island Institute and College of the Atlantic—as they travel from Maine to the island of Samsø, Denmark, which is powered by 100% renewable energy.

James McCarthy's Mainebiz article illustrates Island Institute programming in action, including our highly visible Island Fellows Program.