The Role of Volunteerism in Bolstering Community Climate Capacity: A Case Study Approach to Explore Opportunities for Rural Maine

Abstract

Maine’s rural communities are challenged with complex climate planning and preparedness in an environment with limited resources and competing priorities and do not have the capacity to undertake climate change mitigation or adaptation projects alone. Through existing literature and case studies, this paper highlights the opportunity and benefit of increased investment in recruitment, education, and training for local volunteers, to increase the capacity of rural Maine communities to effectively respond to climate risks.