From changes in Maine’s lobster population and odd sea creatures to earlier ice-outs, warming oceans, and water pollution, these are the top environmental and climate stories I wrote for the Bangor Daily News this year. Heraclitus’ observation that the only constant in life is change applies equally in Maine as elsewhere (or perhaps even more so, if viewed through the rate of warming in the Gulf of Maine), so there no doubt will be more proposals, cleanup projects, and emerging trends to write about in 2019. I’ll do my best to keep track of the ones that stand to affect Maine the most.
Study: Maine’s lobster population will drop but fishery not ‘doomed’ — Jan. 26
Gulf of Maine has coolest year since 2011 but still getting warmer — Feb. 1
How listening to right whales could prevent more deaths of the imperiled species — Feb. 14
Study: warming Arctic could be fueling nor’easter storms — March 21
Milder winters shaving weeks off ice-fishing seasons in Maine — April 16
Scientists say Maine lobster boom won’t last. Here are the fisheries coming next — May 12
Proposal could create ‘retail hubs,’ sprawl in Maine woods — June 20
How one tiny Maine island prepares budding scientists for a warmer world — July 4
State: Baileyville mill has a history of wastewater leaks — Aug. 17
Mainers marvel over sightings of odd-looking ‘alien’ fish — Sept. 3
Company revives wind farm plan that state wildlife officials had opposed — Sept. 14
Estimated cost of Penobscot River cleanup balloons to more than $240 million — Oct. 3
Seals are dying at alarming rates and the virus that’s killing them could affect your pets — Oct. 12
Warming climate expected to bring more people, rising seas to Acadia National Park — Oct. 15
A creature that looks like ‘pancake batter’ is thriving in the warming Gulf of Maine — Nov. 15