The talk will be held virtually via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine.
- Virtual attendance: Complete the registration form for Zoom connection information
Speaker: Vanessa Levesque, Assistant Professor, Dept of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Southern Maine
Maine saw an influx of newcomers during the pandemic. Will climate change also drive people to move to Maine? If so, what are the likely implications and what should we do about it? This talk will explore the concept of climate migration, discuss a region-wide partnership to better understand implications of climate migration, and pose some suggestions for future research and governance to help us better prepare for potential changes.
Vanessa Levesque is a social scientist interested in rural community decision-making around environmental, social and economic issues. Smaller and more rural communities make up a large portion of the U.S., but are understudied by those interested in building community resilience. This focus on inclusive, interdisciplinary and democratic ideals is mirrored in her teaching. She strives to give students a voice as they learn how they can make substantive and lasting contributions in their own communities.
