By Dagney Ernest / The Republican Journal
On Earth Day — Saturday, April 22 — Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition and Rockland’s Island Institute will host a screening of four short films that show how accelerating climate change dramatically changes the ocean’s environment. The free program will begin 6:30 p.m. in the Abbott Room of Belfast Free Library, 106 High St.
The 10-minute films in the “Climate of Change” series address: warming waters in the Gulf of Maine; ocean acidification in Alaska; the collapse and adaption in the Apalachicola Florida oyster fishery; and the future of aquaculture. Marine biologist Susie Arnold of the Island Institute will lead a short discussion after each of the films.
Warming waters, ocean acidification, industry collapse, aquaculture — across New England and the nation, fishermen and scientists are observing notable shifts in the ecosystem and dramatic changes on the water. These films show how impacts are felt in Alaska, Florida and here in Maine.
Shellfish aquaculture, which includes lobster fishing, is an example of economic diversification for fishing communities and should provide excellent opportunities for relationship building and dialog on climate change. This is sorely needed, as there remains a great divide among the public regarding environmental issues in general.
For more information about this and other free Earth Days Waldo County 2017 events, visit belfastbaywatershed.org and islandinstitute.org
