Fernandez quoted in Ellsworth American article on going carbon neutral

Ivan Fernandez, a University of Maine professor of soil science and forest resources, spoke with The Ellsworth American for an article looking at what Gov. Janet Mills’ carbon-neutral pledge means for Hancock and Washington counties. “Conservation [of energy] is the low-hanging fruit,” said Fernandez, Distinguished Maine Professor in the School of Forest Resources, Climate Change Institute, and School of Food and Agriculture. At the community level, that means making sure residents have access to information about weatherization incentives and rebates, the article states. It also means updating building code requirements to ensure new buildings are constructed efficiently. Trees capture and store carbon in their leaves and trunks, converting it to wood and using it to grow, according to the article. “Trees are the best gadget we have to take up carbon from the atmosphere,” Fernandez said. “So protecting, nurturing and expanding our green spaces is important.”