Here you see the clear, rising tide seemingly and magically causing some of the rocky ledges of Blue Hill Bay to float.

The beauty of the scene belies the fact that our sea levels are rising dangerously due to climate change. Moreover, the speed of that sea rise is, itself, increasing even more dangerously.

Maine is vulnerable to sea level rises due to its long, relatively open coast. Measurements at nearby Bar Harbor show that the sea has risen more than 8 inches since 1950 and is now rising faster by about an inch every 8 years. Further acceleration is expected to increase the danger.

As I understand it, warming of the Gulf of Maine, alterations to the Atlantic Ocean’s circulation, and ice melt seem to be the biggest threats. The rate of ice melt has been increasing significantly since 1992 and changes to the waters’ circulation and temperature have been increasing the frequency and viciousness of storms, especially those blowing in from the northeast (“Nor’easters”).

It's past time to take climate change seriously and many Maine towns are doing so by doing such things as raising causeways and structures, building seawalls, replacing culverts, and forming planning committees to study longer-term activities that would mitigate and prevent the expected effects. (Images taken in Blue Hill, Maine, on May 11. 2023.)

Comment