When I was growing up in Maine, the idea of warm ocean water was a foreign concept. But now, temperatures in the Gulf of Maine are rapidly increasing, making warm Maine ocean waters a reality.

The recent article about this (“Gulf of Maine waters warmed to highest fall temperatures on record,” Jan. 12) mentioned that the Gulf’s water had an average surface temperature of 59.9 degrees last fall. That may not sound overly warm, but it’s more than 4 degrees higher than long-term averages.

This is a direct result of climate change, since the oceans capture heat from increased global temperatures.

Unfortunately, such change has serious consequences for our marine life. I remember the ocean heatwave in 2012, which resulted in a green crab invasion and a negative impact on Maine lobsters. We’ll see more of that unless we act now to address climate change.

Reducing carbon emissions is key to slowing temperature increases in the atmosphere and the ocean. One of the best ways to achieve that goal is through a national carbon pricing policy, such as the Energy Innovation Carbon Dividend Act (HR 2307; energyinnovationact.org). Models show that this type of policy is likely to do more than any other single measure to lower future emissions.

That’s why I urge Sen. Angus King and Sen. Susan Collins to support carbon pricing policies. This is vital to the health of Maine’s ocean and marine life, and the way of life they support.

Erica Bartlett
Portland

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