Unfortunate title
To the editor:
The excellent article “A sentinel of ocean health, humpback whale numbers grow (The Working Waterfront, Dec./Jan.)” was given an unfortunate title. That growth is more an indicator of the value of an endangered species listing, a natural growth after a cessation of industrial whaling, better observations, or some combination.
The article itself is careful not to draw any broader conclusions from those sighting numbers. Clearly that growth could be occurring while the ocean in general is suffering from all the problems mentioned. Mitigating those threats can become more difficult if people hear casual suggestions that ocean health is improving.
I can’t say that I have a good suggestion for an alternate title, but I’m hoping you get my point.
Clifford A. Goudey
Newburyport, Mass.
Cheering volunteering
To the editor:
How surprised and pleased I was to read The Working Waterfront newspaper editorial (Dec./Jan.) about retirees serving their community!
Please let whoever wrote the article about WindowDressers know that it is much appreciated. The folks who run that program are terrific and I am so happy to tell you that we have four RSVP volunteers involved with it.
Cheryl Feldpausch
RSVP Volunteer Specialist
Vinalhaven’s Mark Twain
To the editor:
In the recent issue of The Working Waterfront, it was a real pleasure getting to read Phil Crossman’s satiristic take on a modern phenomenon (“Blind lust and other scenarios”). His dry understated humor is worthy of Mark Twain at times. And it was an unexpected pleasure, given the general seriousness of your publication (which is a good thing, of course).
Thanks for running it. It might even, in some circles, be considered controversial, given its subject matter, and I congratulate you for having a classic Mainer’s good sense to know a good joke when you hear it.
Clayton Jerolmack
West Chester, Penn.
Climate change is real
To the Editor:
I was surprised to read an article about rising waters threatening Chesapeake Bay islands that doesn’t mention climate change (“Islands underwater, Dec./Jan.). Storms, high tides and rising waters of 7-10 inches can be directly attributed today to the thermal expansion of a warming climate.
Possibly just as important to island communities is the increasing warmth and acidity of seawater; threatening shellfish and fish migrations. As a yearly visitor to Maine’s coast, I’m greatly worried about climate change’s threat to the livelihood to a place I love.
Our best hope for stopping climate change is a carbon fee and dividend that taxes carbon pollution and returns the proceeds to all Americans to offset the increased costs of fossil fuels. We have very little time for action.
Thanks, also, for the climate related “Fathoming” column about rethinking our relationship with the ocean. Island families are on the front lines of climate change and we need to see and hear about the impacts.
Jeff Joslin
Atlanta, Georgia
Long Island, Maine