ORONO — The Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine will host a talk, “From Global to Local: Bringing Climate Justice Goals to Maine,” on Monday, Feb. 26, at 3 p.m.

“Maine has been a standout leader for climate action in recent years, but how does it compare to global action and what is necessary to combat the climate crisis?” said the Mitchell Center, in a news release.

Through sharing her experience at UN Climate Conferences (COPs), involvement in global climate justice organizations and more recent work as the Legislative and Political Specialist at the Sierra Club Maine Chapter, Ania Wright will seek to answer what connects global to local efforts, and why paying attention to the bigger picture of climate justice is vital to accomplishing our climate goals in Maine.

Ania Wright joined Sierra Club in 2020 as a grassroots organizer, and now works as the Legislative and Political Specialist. Wright supports Sierra Club’s Political and Legislative Teams and organizes state lobbying and endorsement work. She also works to engage and support youth in climate justice initiatives, and to further the diversity, equity and inclusion of the chapter. Wright was a founding member of the youth-led coalition Maine Youth for Climate Justice. She also sits on the board of Maine Climate Action NOW, a coalition of grassroots organizations pushing for just and equitable climate policy.

All talks in the Mitchell Center’s Sustainability Talks series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall on the UMaine campus in Orono.

Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions

The Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine aspires to be a leader and valued partner in understanding and solving problems related to the growing challenge of improving human well-being while protecting the environment. We collaborate with diverse stakeholders and bring together faculty and students from many different fields. By connecting knowledge with action, we seek to create a brighter environmental, social and economic future in and beyond Maine.

About the University of Maine

s Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.