Actress and Activist Jane Fonda Urging a National Holiday in Observation of Climate Change, Recently.

The Maine Delegation welcomed a $5 milllion planning grant for the Passamaquoddy Tribe, (“PT”) to respond to climate-related environmental threats.  The grant was awarded through the US Department of the Interiors newly announced Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation program and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“From rising sea levels to warming waters, the impacts of climate change are already threatening communities across Maine.  This federal program, one of the first of its kind, will help the PT prepare for climate change with long-term resilence measures,” the Maine Delegation said in a press released yesterday.  “As proud supporters of the Bipartisan infrastructure Law, we’re thrilled to see its investments are working to protect tribal communities in Maine and across the nation.”

The PT is one of eight Tribal communities nation-wide receiving a total of $40. million for planning grants.  Alaska Native villages and Tribual communities in the contiguous 48 states are at risk of severe infrastructure damage due to climage-related environmental impacts including sea-level rise, coastal erosion, extreme weather events and threats from flooding, drought and wildland fire.  One study has estimated that approximately up to $5 billion will be needed over the next 50 years to address Tribal relocation infrastructure needs in response to climate change impacts.