Ocean scientist warns that Maine should expect more severe storms

An ocean scientist described Maine’s recent spate of severe storms as “the new normal,” saying that Mainers should not be surprised by surging seas and inland flooding sparked by climate change. “We are now living in a world of extremes, and this is the new normal,” Susie Arnold, director of the Center for Climate and Community at the Island Institute said Tuesday. Arnold’s comments came at a special meeting of the Maine Climate Council called by Gov. Janet Mills following three devastating storms between Dec. 18 and Jan. 13. The council is in the process of updating the state’s four-year climate action plan, which set the goal of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045.