Coastal Communities Preparing for Sea Level Rise

Tidings | Apr 20, 2020

A blue and white boat lists to the starboard side in turbulent, stormy waters as rain pours.

Late this year, we began engaging citizens of Greater Portland in a new project centered on sea level rise.

Especially when combined with storm surge events, sea level rise poses serious challenges to coastal communities. That has everyone from city planners to weather forecasters thinking about how best to approach these issues.

The threat to life and property for coastal residents is real over the next 50 years,” said John Cannon of the National Weather Service. “We need to plan ahead.”  

Ensuring the region’s resiliency to sea level rise and storm surge requires a scientifically informed and engaged public, now and in the future. 

With that goal in mind, we will engage 1,000 local citizens in a new interactive learning experience. Participants will use scientific data and reasoning to explore sea level rise, storm surge, and potential resiliency measures.

"Our goal is to create a resource that can grow as Maine coastal communities prepare to tackle the challenge of planning for a changing climate and environment,” said Gayle Bowness, education program manager.

The first of these events debuted in December at the Portland Public Library, and several more will take place throughout 2017.