PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 6, 2025
The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than nearly any ocean region on Earth. Sea levels rise. Waters warm. Marine ecosystems shift. These changes are reshaping our coast, our economy and our way of life. Portland, Maine, has decided to meet this moment head-on. The Wright’s Wharf bulkhead project has stabilized a critical piece of working waterfront. GMRI opened 10 public electric vehicle charging stations on Commercial Street. We’ve installed a marine charging station on our renovated bulkhead to provide critical infrastructure to electric boat operators in Casco Bay. New signs across the city transform climate infrastructure from invisible to inspirational, linking to detailed information about Portland’s climate adaptation efforts. Other coastal communities facing similar challenges should take note. ~ Glenn Prickett, CEO and president, Gulf of Maine Research Institute