PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 12, 2024
As coastal communities throughout Maine ramp up their climate action planning in the coming months, addressing the increasing threat of sea level rise is a clear priority. These local efforts reflect the failure of state-level legislation to meet their demand, which has caused individual towns, with limited resources, to feel as if they must pick up the pieces. Legislators have been too focused on rebuilding efforts in response to past storms, and have failed to take into account the need to create protective measures. There are countless ways to take the offensive instead of continuing to play defense. Beyond the fear lies a reminder that climate change is not a mere inconvenience. For many, it is an existential threat. ~ Eden Zumbrun, Bowdoin College sophomore majoring in environmental studies and government & legal studies