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As a retired middle school teacher and lifelong educator in Maine, I strongly support LD 1543, “An Act to Establish the Green Schools Network.” This bill offers an opportunity to advance sustainability, save money, and, crucially, address the mental health needs of our students.
Climate anxiety is real and rising, especially among teens. They’re deeply worried about the future, and too often, they feel powerless.
This bill can help turn that anxiety into action by giving students a sense of agency and purpose. By fostering collaboration among educators, students, community partners, and Wabanaki leaders, LD 1543 promotes hope through hands-on solutions.
This is not a mandate and has no fiscal note. It’s a network — a practical, locally driven effort aligned with Maine’s tradition of community-based problem-solving. It will strengthen sustainability in both school infrastructure and curriculum, while encouraging knowledge-sharing statewide.
I’ve seen this work firsthand. During my 27 years at Falmouth Middle School, green building projects — including solar panels, biomass boilers, and a LEED-certified elementary school — sparked real change. Our students were energized. They engaged deeply with science, shared ideas, and saw how their community could cut emissions and save money. Those conversations built confidence and calm amid uncertainty.
LD 1543 creates a framework for more schools to do the same. For the sake of our students’ future, and their mental health today, please support this important legislation.
Carey Hotaling
Freeport
