Life under the waves in a warming Gulf of Maine

As the northeast warms up this week, you can take a (virtual) dive under the waves, courtesy of National Geographic’s Brian Skerry, to learn more about what climate change means for the Gulf of Maine and what we can do to help our marine life in the face of a warming ocean.

My latest cover story in @NatGeoMag – The June issue – about The Gulf of Maine – the body of water that stretches from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia
Identified as the epicenter of global, ocean, climate change and are warming 99% faster than the rest of the global ocean. pic.twitter.com/z5nFfVgi6K

— Brian Skerry (@Brian_Skerry) May 16, 2024

From kelp to whales to jellyfish, Skerry’s images show a glimpse of New England’s ocean that only a few people are lucky enough to see themselves.

This life below the waves is threatened by rising temperatures and by human activity. But, as the article highlights, we can do a lot to give our coasts’ most amazing ecosystems (like Cashes Ledge) a fighting chance at survival. From creating new ocean refuges to catching invasive species, we have the tools to create a healthier and more abundant future for the Gulf of Maine.

Skerry’s article ends on a note of optimism: “My hope is that, armed with the knowledge of the past and the science of today, we can save what remains. And allow it to rebound.”