FORECASTER • February 16, 2021
Ivy Frignoca, a member of Maine Climate Council’s Coastal and Marine working group, and Peter Slovinsky, a marine geologist with the Maine Geology Survey, will lead a public conversation, “Sea level, storms, and surges, oh my!,” on March 3 on the science behind climate change and how Maine’s coastal communities can become more resilient to it. According to the Maine Climate Council, half of the sea level rise in Maine over the last century has occurred in the last 30 years. It is anticipated sea levels could continue to rise by 1-3 feet by 2050. A 1.6-foot sea-level rise could submerge 67% of Maine’s coastal sand dunes and reduce beach area by 43%. In addition to the impact on tourism, the rise could disrupt habitats for many species.