Could the unique confluence of weather-related factors responsible for the human and economic tragedy in California in January occur in Maine, affecting our future economic development?

It’s highly improbable. Southern California is a different climate zone.

Even so, should the California tragedy be a wake-up call to closely examine our own plans to prepare for record-setting hottest years; more strong variability in precipitation over shorter time periods (with raging wildfires); more violent hurricanes; torrential rains; and enhanced coastal and inland flooding? Yes, it should.

Why? Five of the 10 hottest years in Maine’s recorded history have occurred from 2000 through 2024, coupled with vacillating wet/dry precipitation cycles. It should be quite apparent, despite ever-present denials, that global warming and climate change are no longer scientific mysteries, but forces to be understood in the context of economic development, challenging our ability to find creative solutions to them.

In Maine, future economic development could be limited by drought, wildfires and flood damage. This is due to the prevalence of more severe storms (due to increased ocean temperatures) and prolonged periods of drought (alterations in wind, moisture and heat/cold patterns). The common denominators are water (too little or too much) and carbon dioxide/methane.

With respect to reducing carbon dioxide and methane concentrations, Maine has introduced solutions focused on reduction of said gases: promoting the use of electric vehicles, installing wind and solar farms, and increasing the construction of energy-efficient homes. More can be accomplished at this level.

The implementation of better, efficient and more widespread public transportation systems and the use of electric buses can further reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, designing communities where housing, markets, shops and services are within close proximity or walking distance, similar to European models, would reduce the use of personal vehicles. Further, new strategies to manage traffic and pedestrian patterns could aid in reducing greenhouse gases. Lastly, carbon capture and sequestration technologies, intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from large industrial sources, could be introduced.

What about too little or too much water? In Maine, with the potential for future severe and flash droughts, specific attention must be focused on conserving groundwater in general, and well water in particular. On average, Maine possesses adequate supplies of potable water. However, caution must be exercised when discussing the storage and use of water contained within two types of aquifers, namely, sand or gravel and bedrock aquifers. The former has a greater capacity to store water than the latter.

Therefore, in coastal communities drawing the majority of their drinking water from bedrock aquifers, economic development plans must place emphasis on generating revenue from sources less dependent on groundwater than single-family homes.

Coastal communities could explore options such as wind and solar farms, aqua farms, building of telecommunication towers, and incentives to establish shops, stores, cafes, services and tourist attractions as an offset to building single-family homes, which draw water from drought-prone wells.

Flooding leads to decline in property values, higher insurance rates, destruction of homes and businesses, and ecological damage. Are there solutions? Yes. Careful planning, which supports robust infrastructures and governmental mitigation strategies. With California as an example of what can suddenly go awry, state and federal offices such as Maine Geological Survey, Maine Municipal Planning Assistance Program, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must renew their efforts to mitigate damage caused by both water shortages and severe flooding.

Local, state and federal agencies must collaborate. Maine can pursue economic development and protect our natural resources at the same time.