Leslie to share progress of Maine Climate Council on Aug. 7

Heather Leslie will present a webinar titled “Climate science and action for Maine’s coast and coastal communities” at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7.

Leslie is the director of the Darling Marine Center and an associate professor in the School of Marine Sciences. Since September 2019, she has co-led the Coastal and Marine Working Group of the Maine Climate Council. 

 Gov. Janet Mills and the Legislature created the Council of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens. Its charge is to deliver a plan to the Legislature this year that enables Maine to reduce carbon emissions and enhance resilience of communities to climate-related impacts.

“I’m excited to share strategies that the Coastal and Marine Working Group has identified as potential elements of Maine’s Climate Action Plan,” Leslie says. “Given the short timeline of this process and the challenges created by the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that the people who live and work on our coast have the opportunity to weigh in on these strategies, as the Council continues its work.”

In support of the Council’s work, Leslie and the other 37 members of the Coastal and Marine Working Group met 10 times in the last year to develop recommendations related to the state’s coastal communities, companies and ecosystems. 

In the seminar, Leslie will highlight strategies related to Maine’s fisheries and working waterfronts, as well as strategies that support aquaculture and other seafood-related businesses as they adapt to climate-related challenges. Details of the strategies are on the Maine Climate Council website.

Leslie’s seminar is the final one in the DMC’s three-part summer science series. Visit the center’s website for a full seminar description and to register.