UNE climate change documentary nominated for New England Emmy award

A documentary filmed, written, and produced by members of UNE’s Office of Communications has been nominated for a New England Emmy award.

“Reckoning with Climate Change in the Gulf of Maine” has aired on Maine Public television and is available for viewing on YouTube and Vimeo.

The documentary looks at several issues important to the state of Maine, including why the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the rest of the world’s oceans; the impact of climate change on the state’s lucrative lobster industry; the introduction of new creatures never seen in Maine waters before; the impact of erosion and flooding on Maine’s coastal communities; the difficulty government agencies face trying to keep up with changing regulations; the debate over whether scientists should become advocates; and what all of this will mean for future generations.

It features UNE scientists and faculty members from the School of Marine and Environmental Programs, including Charles Tilburg, Ph.D., Markus Frederich, Ph.D., Susan Farady, J.D., Pam Morgan, Ph.D., Meaghan Daly, Ph.D., and Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D.

Also featured in the documentary are Rick Wahle of the University of Maine’s Lobster Institute, Peter Slovinsky of the U.S. and Maine Geological Survey, and Dan Chadbourne, local lobsterman and Saco Harbormaster.

The documentary is narrated by former NEWS CENTER Maine reporter Susan Kimball.

“Reckoning with Climate Change in the Gulf of Maine” was recently awarded the Best Environmental Short Film at the Environmental Film and Screenplay Festival in Los Angeles, California.

The documentary is up against seven other entries for an Emmy in the Environment/Science category. The winner will be announced during the 44th Boston/New England Emmy® Awards Ceremony virtual event on Saturday, June 26, 2021.