PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 22, 2023
Our state is for its long, cold winters, but the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 97% the world’s ocean surface. That spells trouble for Maine’s seafood industry, tourism and our livelihood. Lobster and cod are moving farther north and east. Climate change is also making the waters more acidic. As our waters get warmer, they are rising, making our coastal towns more vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. We must move quickly to reduce emissions now – while recognizing that even if we eliminated all emissions today, sea levels will still rise and the ocean is going to continue to warm for decades. Locals are coming up with ways to address these problems to conserve and protect our ocean. The Inflation Reduction Act is also helping our fishing industry become more resilient through marine debris cleanups. State and federal decision makers must continue to invest in ocean climate action so we can fight for the future we deserve. ~ Michelle Kaufman, Inland Ocean Coalition