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Valuing Maine’s Beaches: Assets, Challenges, and Actions for Today and Tomorrow

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Plenary Session I

The Effects of Climate Change on Economic Activity in Maine: A Case Study of York County Coastal Communities

• Charles Colgan, Professor of Public Policy, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine

Climate change and sea level rise will have significant economic effects on Maine, some positive and some negative. One of the most negative will be increasing vulnerability of coastal communities to damage from coastal storms. This presentation explores the vulnerability of coastal communities in York County to future damage from storms by examining the relationship between projected storm surge under different assumptions and the location of places of employment. The discussion examines the vulnerability of different towns and industries to storm damage, including the jobs and wages that are at risk, and raises questions about what strategies will be most appropriate to address the vulnerabilities.

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Last updated on April 28, 2009

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