Glenn Prickett is CEO and president of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than nearly any ocean region on Earth. Sea levels rise. Waters warm. Marine ecosystems shift. These changes are already reshaping our coast, our economy and our way of life.

Portland, Maine, has decided to meet this moment head-on.

Over the past year, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute has deepened its partnership with the city of Portland to advance practical climate solutions on our shared waterfront. What’s emerging is a blueprint for how coastal communities can build resilience while supporting economic vitality and environmental health — a model worth replicating along coastlines everywhere.

Consider our recently completed Wright’s Wharf bulkhead project. Thanks to $3 million in federal and state funding — including support from Maine voters through a 2019 infrastructure bond and American Rescue Plan Act funds — we’ve stabilized a critical piece of working waterfront.

The renovated bulkhead prevents erosion and creates up to four new berths for commercial fishing vessels, directly supporting Maine’s seafood economy while preparing the waterfront for future climate impacts.

Infrastructure investments can address immediate needs while building long-term resilience. This project proves it.

Readiness also requires embracing new technologies that reduce our carbon footprint while strengthening our economy. We’re electrifying the waterfront to do exactly that.

This summer, GMRI opened 10 public electric vehicle charging stations at our Commercial Street location — the first publicly available charging infrastructure of this size on Portland’s waterfront. We’re demonstrating that coastal electrification is both feasible and essential.

We’ve also installed a marine charging station on our newly renovated bulkhead to support a collaborative project with Aqua SuperPower, Maine Ocean Farms, the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and Island Institute, providing critical infrastructure to electric boat operators in Casco Bay.

Maine’s aquaculture industry grows at 15% annually. This pilot will prove that the sector can transition from fossil fuels to electric propulsion, dramatically reducing emissions and noise pollution while positioning Maine’s marine economy for sustainable growth in a changing climate.

Engaging our community matters as much as building infrastructure. New signage throughout Portland will soon help residents and visitors discover 21 pieces of resilient infrastructure across the city — from coastal flood barriers to green infrastructure and heat resilience features.

Each sign includes a QR code linking to detailed information, creating an educational walking tour of Portland’s climate adaptation efforts. GMRI produced this signage project in partnership with the city. The signs transform climate infrastructure from invisible to inspirational, telling a story of proactive investment and community-wide commitment to resilience.

These initiatives represent a formalized partnership that the Portland City Council has endorsed through a resolution supporting collaboration between GMRI and the city. With backing from Mayor Mark Dion and the Sustainability and Transportation Committee, this resolution commits both organizations to sharing data, pursuing joint funding opportunities and working together on coastal resilience, working waterfront protection and climate-focused economic development.

Portland’s approach integrates science, policy and action. We implement solutions based on research. We protect the environment while supporting jobs and economic opportunity. We adapt to change by leading it.

This is GMRI’s vision for climate-ready communities: places where scientific expertise meets municipal action, where environmental and economic goals align, and where climate adaptation strengthens rather than constrains community vitality. Portland is proving this vision works.

The challenges ahead remain substantial. The Gulf of Maine will continue warming, sea levels will keep rising and our marine ecosystems will face ongoing disruption. But Portland demonstrates that with partnership, innovation and commitment, coastal communities can build resilience, preserve working waterfronts and create thriving, sustainable futures.

Other coastal communities facing similar challenges should take note. Portland is adapting to climate change while showing us how to thrive amid it. This is what climate readiness looks like. This is the future we’re building together.