Commentary: Counting hurricanes in a post-truth world

TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY • June 18, 2024

Forecasters expect this year’s hurricane season to be “super-charged.” Conspiracy-peddling voices will politicize the issue of how many hurricanes are expected. Such bearers of misinformation maintain that NOAA intentionally amplifies its forecasts of hurricane activity to drive a climate change agenda. Misinformation can be dangerous. To the extent people in harm’s way ignore warnings about the threat of coming dangers they face from destructive storms, lives may be lost. ~ Jerry Theodorou, director, R Street Institute’s Finance, Insurance and Trade Policy program

Report lays out Maine’s latest climate science: What you need to know

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 18, 2024

Maine scientists submitted their latest climate findings and projections to the Maine Climate Council on Tuesday, providing a broad assessment of changing conditions in Maine and what the state should expect as global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift. The report includes temperature, precipitation and sea level rise projections and their current and future impacts on Maine’s public health, natural resources and the economy. Here are the key takeaways:
• Maine is Getting Warmer and Wetter
• Increased Weather Extremes
• Human Health Impacts
• Social and Economic Impacts
• Vulnerable Populations
• Sea Level Rise and Coastal Storms
• Marsh Loss and Erosion
• Marine Impacts
• Agriculture
• Biodiversity
• Forest Management
• Freshwater Resource Management

Letter: Use Mack Point over Sears Island

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 18, 2024

Offshore wind is necessary for the planet and presents a wonderful economic opportunity for Maine. Why use Sears Island over the already environmentally degraded Mack Point, an ideal location particularly with Sprague Energy willing to offer the site? No one wants to turn Maine’s largest connected, undeveloped island into an industrial site, but another reason, overlooked in the press, is that Sears represents a concentration point for migratory songbirds. On a single morning at sunrise thousands may fly northward across the causeway. Once Sears is irrevocably modified it is gone for good. The loss to the community is tragic, even disregarding the impact on birds. ~ Tom Aversa, Unity

Where to go swimming in Greater Bangor

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 18, 2024

When it comes to staying cool, you’ve basically got two options: find air conditioning and glue yourself to it, or get in the water. Where can you swim in Greater Bangor, that doesn’t involve spending money or hours in the car battling traffic? We’ve got seven great options for you within 40 miles of Bangor with easy swimming for all ages:
• Stillwater River, Orono and Old Town
• Jackson Beach, Hermon
• Alamoosook Lake or Craig Pond, Orland
• Branch Lake, Ellsworth
• Molasses Pond, Eastbrook
• Northern Pond Nature Preserve, Monroe
• Sandy Point State Park, Stockton Springs

Maine is preparing for a future without its iconic pines

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 17, 2024

The health of the iconic evergreen trees that define the Pine Tree State is at risk from climate change. Researchers across the state have begun planting tree species from mid-Atlantic states to replace these trees as temperatures rise, extreme weather intensifies and pests spread. They believe this practice, called assisted migration, will keep Maine’s forests functioning amid climate change. In Augusta, researchers at the Viles Arboretum think that in 50 years our forests will look like the current woods of New Jersey and Maryland. Those states have more oak and hickory hardwood trees. The loblolly pine grows there, but not yet in Maine.

Why recycling containers are overflowing in some Aroostook towns

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 17, 2024

Residents in some Aroostook County communities have filled public containers used to collect recyclables to overflowing because of a month-long delay in repairing equipment used to pick up the material. Aroostook Waste Solutions collects recyclables such as bottles, magazines, catalogs, newspapers and tin cans from 99 igloos at 17 locations in Presque Isle, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Easton, Limestone, Caswell, Cyr Plantation, Hamlin, Woodland, Stockholm, New Sweden, Sinclair, Portage, Mapleton and Washburn. Despite warning residents to not put recyclables into the igloos, many are overflowing in larger communities.

Portland to spend $4 million on harbor dredging project

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 17, 2024

The Portland City Council voted Monday to fund a long-awaited project to clear sediment from the city’s working waterfront after more than a decade of planning and delays. The city will spend $4 million from tax increment financing to clear built up sediment and improve boat access to commercial piers. The buildup has made the harbor shallower. Some piers are now partly surrounded by exposed mud and silt at low tide, preventing boats from reaching piers to tie up or to load and unload. It will be the first time that parts of the harbor have been dredged in more than 70 years.

Kayaker rescued after breaking leg on Kennebago River in Rangeley

SUN JOURNAL • June 17, 2024

Rescuers bushwhacked their way through woods Thursday to reach a man who broke his leg when his kayak flipped over in rapids on the Kennebago River. “I was the kayaker involved in the accident. I (am) not sure I would even be alive were it not for the selfless dedication of everyone involved in this operation.” said Derek Berlew.

How to help prevent your pets from getting heat stroke this summer

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 17, 2024

Many common pets, like cats and dogs, don’t regulate their body heat the same way that humans do. And even if they did, they have a coat of fur they can’t shed easily. Because dogs pant to regulate their body heat, they will need adequate access to water throughout the day. Avoid leaving your animal unattended in a hot car. If you think your dog or cat is overheating, the first thing to do is to move them to a cooler place. To help your pet cool down, you can spray cool — but not cold or icy — water onto your pet’s fur, making sure that the water soaks into their coat down to the skin. If you’re unsure whether your pet has heat stroke, calling your vet is the best way to receive adequate care for your furry friend.

Maine's first electric trash truck takes to Portland streets

MAINE PUBLIC • June 17, 2024

A new electric trash truck, the first of its kind in Maine, is about to hit the streets of Portland. The super quiet Mack LRE Packer truck cost almost $684,000, nearly twice the cost of a diesel model. But the city said it will be cheaper to run because of lower maintenance and fuel costs. Portland has a goal of using 100% clean energy for operations by 2040. So far, it’s switched over some cars and pickup trucks to zero-emissions versions, but the trash truck is its first heavy duty electric vehicle. Portland will hold a naming contest for the new truck through June 30. The public will then have a chance to vote on the top five names for the vehicle.

Maine awards $2.4 million in grants for community climate projects

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 17, 2024

An additional 54 Maine communities will receive grants to help prepare for climate change and cut carbon emissions as part of a $2.4 million expansion of a state climate change response program. The funds will benefit projects across the state, including installing electric vehicle chargers and rebuilding roads vulnerable to storms, Gov. Janet Mills announced Monday. With extreme precipitation comes major flooding. The Maine Climate Council estimated in 2020 that climate-related flooding from overflowing rivers and streams could cause up to $2.4 billion in building damage alone.

Scientists criticize practices of shuttered Portland carbon-capture company

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 17, 2024

The Portland-based carbon-capture startup that shut down suddenly on Friday after gaining international praise is being criticized for dubious scientific claims and practices. Running Tide purported to deploy chunks of wood waste coated in limestone and kelp spores into the ocean near Iceland, where they would absorb carbon and sink to the seabed or be eaten by marine animals. The startup would then sell carbon credits to big companies to offset their emissions. Running Tide, which had raised more than $50 million from private investors, closed because it could no longer sell enough carbon credits to survive after the market collapsed last fall. “The methods used by Running Tide do not sequester any carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Zero,” said Jón Ólafsson, oceanographer and professor emeritus of the University of Iceland. “All this nonsense is for nothing.”

Record temperatures expected as heat wave blasts Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 17, 2024

This week is going to be a scorcher. This summer might be hotter, too. Temperatures are forecasted to reach the upper 80s and mid-90s throughout nearly all of Maine, potentially setting records as a “heat dome” washes hot and humid air over New England, according to the National Weather Service. Experts say high temperatures this week are just the start of what is expected to be a warmer-than-average summer.

Letter: Stop removing dams

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 17, 2024

Over the recent years, we have lost many important industries and businesses in our state. A major reason for these labor-intensive businesses leaving Maine is the high cost of electricity. A major means of supplying electricity have been the dams with turbines. So what do we do? We tear out the dams so fish can go upstream. I think we need to stop doing this and put larger and more turbines at these dams. ~ Richard Leonard, Veazie

Letter: Save Sears Island

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 17, 2024

Mack Point should be reconsidered as the site for the proposed wind port. According to Sprague, new information is available from research and studies. Those who want to save Sears Island from the wind port construction that I believe would be the destruction of that beautiful local treasure sincerely hope that the state will do the responsible and reasonable thing. That they will take a good, strong look at what Sprague is offering. Someone in an impartial position needs to come to the table and study the facts. The new facts. If possible, let’s save Sears Island! ~ Sue Shaw, Penobscot

How to prepare your homestead for a heat wave

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 17, 2024

Temperatures will likely reach into the 90s across Maine for most of the week, creating stress for plants and livestock. You can manage the risk by keeping an eye on shade and water. Shade cloth may be the simplest way to protect your plants. Shade and fresh, cool water are key for animals. People are animals too, so we need to take precautions with the heat. If you can, work outside earlier in the morning or later in the evening, avoiding peak heat in the late afternoon. Drinking water is important.

Man drowns in Kennebec River while fishing with son on Father’s Day

MORNING SENTINEL • June 17, 2024

A man died after slipping and falling in the water while fishing in the Kennebec River with his son on Father’s Day, officials confirmed Monday. The man was fishing in the river but slipped and became weighed down as water filled his wader boots.

Maine’s piping plovers are adapting to washed-out beaches after winter storms

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 17, 2024

“Many of our beaches in southern Maine and beyond were hit very hard. It was concerning to me to see how much sand was lost,” said Laura Minich Zitske, director of Maine Audubon’s Piping Plover and Least Tern Project, which works to protect and conserve the rare shorebirds. “The plovers can be pretty resilient as long as they have that balance between sand and grass,” she said. Now that it’s prime plover season, it appears that the pairs nesting on around 30 beaches from Ogunquit to Reid State Park are faring well and adapting to the changes. For the first time ever, they have been found near Timber Point in Biddeford. They’ve also returned to two of the Casco Bay islands for the second consecutive year. There are now 75 active nests and at least 149 chicks.

Letter: Vandalism degrading Portland public park spaces

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 17, 2024

Now that the dog walkers have moved to the woods behind Evergreen Cemetery because of the leash law, we are experiencing a wave of vandals in Baxter Woods. Graffiti on a beautiful log, firecrackers, graffiti on a bridge and live trees – including a swastika. The reason this is occurring is that the people who love and use the park are being shut out by a nonsensical rule. Why would a 29-acre urban wood, surrounded by 11 other city parks that allow unleashed dogs in the most forested state in the union, need to restrict dogs? Allegedly, it is to protect birds, but that really doesn’t make sense. ~ John Schaberg, Portland

Maine’s latest emissions inventory

MAINE MONITOR • June 16, 2024

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released its Tenth Biennial Report on Progress Toward Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals this week. The previous edition ran through 2019; this one runs through 2021. The data shows Maine has officially met one of its short-term climate goals — reducing emissions 10% below 1990 levels by 2020. In fact, we’ve been exceeding that goal since 2016. The big targets enshrined in state law still lie ahead: becoming carbon neutral by 2045, and reducing emissions at least 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050. To that end, the DEP says Maine is 91% of the way to its carbon neutrality goal. Home energy use is still the second-biggest source of emissions in Maine after transportation, which accounts for nearly half of Maine’s carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.