Message from Jim

Within fourteen months, two very large storms, Irene and Sandy, have entered New England with powerful force, causing both casualties and billions of dollars of damage. Last month, a 4.0 magnitude intraplate earthquake with its epicenter in Hollis, Maine was recorded. In a book written by Bill McGuire, Waking the Giant: How a Changing Climate Triggers Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanoes, global warming continues to elevate concern worldwide. Locate Georges Bank on any map and realize sea level rise is a real event. Just 20,000 years ago, ice glaciers as much as 5,000 feet thick existed in New England. Terms such as glacial scrapes, frost wedging, and moraine give a clear indication that water, frozen or not, is a major factor of land formation.

As a land surveyor attempting to diversify product offered, I obtained my Certified Floodplain Manager designation. By definition, a CFM helps reduce the nation's flood losses and protect and enhance the natural resources and functions of its floodplains by improving the knowledge and abilities of floodplain managers in the United States (ASFPM 2012). What has occurred while raising the bar of personal competence is a much higher level of awareness about what sea level rise poses on humanity. The Town of Scarborough held a workshop recently to discuss adding one or two feet to the 1-foot freeboard already required by the State of Maine. Developers, builders, architects, engineers, insurance and real estate agents, lenders, and homeowners should all take a keen interest in respecting the changing global climate.

Storm surge, storm track, intensity, forward speed, size, tide height, and slope of the sea floor are a few factors which define storm intensity. Every storm, regardless of its size, causes erosion, but can also create flood damage, increase freshwater salinity, damage ecosystems, and cause injury or loss of life. Coastal erosion has been increasing dramatically over the last two decades and is expected to continue as sea levels rise, and storm frequency and severity increase. Scientific models predict that shoreline erosion may outpace sea level rise by 50 to 200 fold (Baker 2008). This explains how sand dunes can be washed away that are much taller than the actual sea level rise over the same period of time. A report published in "Nature Climate Change" from June 2012, projects that on our current emissions path, the sea level will rise 40 inches by the year 2100 and 7 inches per decade thereafter. At that rate, sea level would hit the Hurricane Sandy proportions of 9 feet rise around the year 2200; a five foot rise will occur in just over a century. The same paper also notes that even if global warming is held to 2 degrees Celsius, there's still a 50 percent probability that the sea level will reach 9 feet rise by the year 2300. The actions we take as we approach the reality of these predictions will impact the world on an unfathomable level. Take a look at the image below from the National Hurricane Center webpage on NOAA's site. (You can also click on the image to learn more about storm surge from NOAA.)

Flood not so Funny

Rising sea level is no joke for most of us above the water, and though some aquatic wildlife may benefit, many others will not. Think about the unique ecosystems, such as estuaries and tidal wetlands, where a rich diversity of wildlife depend on the fragile balance between land and water. Sedimentation and salt levels, as well as vegetation and other land features, will be altered. One of the primary aquatic systems to be affected by rising temperatures are the coral reefs, another biodiversity hotspot. Smaller organisms like krill, a major component of the food chain for many animals such as penguins, seals, and some whales, will also be negatively affected. To round back to a more
"people-centered" perspective, think about how these kinds of changes would affect coastal economies and fishing industries. There is too much at stake for this not to be of huge concern.

Thank you!

We would like to thank the Maine Cemetery Association for inviting us to present at their annual meeting about our involvement with the Headstone Rehabilitation Project at the Augusta Veterans' Cemetery. It is a pleasure and an honor to be involved!

We would also like to thank the Maine Municipal Association for the invitation to present during their October 2012 Annual Conference. We would enjoy returning!