Charles Tilburg discusses climate change’s impact on Maine with ‘WGME’

Charles Tilburg was recently interviewed by WGME's Dam Lampariello about climate change in Maine
Charles Tilburg was recently interviewed by WGME's Dam Lampariello about climate change in Maine

A new study published by the Union of Concerned Scientists predicts Maine could see a dramatic rise in the number of heat waves over the next 50 years.

The study suggests that Maine could experience an annual average of 14 days with a heat index above 90 degrees by the year 2050. Right now, Maine experiences only one.

WGME called on Charles Tilburg, Ph.D., director of the School of Marine Programs, for his take on the study.

"I would fully expect there to be more temperatures at the very extreme,” Tilburg told WGME.  “Days at the 90 degree and 85 degree mark, there's going to be a lot more of them.”

Scientists believe the increase will be a result of climate change. Tilburg says our warming planet will bring about many more changes.

"This is going to affect the number of skiing days we have, the number of blueberries we produce, tourism, economics, it's going to affect absolutely everyone," Tilburg said.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonprofit science advocacy organization based in the United States. Its membership includes many private citizens, in addition to professional scientists.

The organization’s study is the latest report generating scientific alarm over climate change.

Charles Tilburg says our warming planet will bring about many changes
Charles Tilburg says our warming planet will bring about many changes

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.