It's been a soggy summer here in Maine. The mosquitoes and mushrooms are thriving (I'm happy for them, really). For those of us who seek fun in the sun, it's been hit or miss, especially on weekends. As a regular woodland wander, I've encountered a lot of ferocious insects, waterlogged paths, and even closed trails this summer. Going off trail or creating social trails is dangerous-you can get lost and your risk of picking up ticks increases-and disrupts habitat, but wading through fetid standing water isn't safe either. Is this a sign of conditions to come under climate change?
One of the paradoxes of climate change is that some places will receive too little water and some too much (and some both). In Maine, we can expect more rain in the future, especially during the summer and early fall months. These months are also when the state sees most of its annual tourists and while many factors influence travel plans, weather and climate are important. It's unclear how more rain has impacted tourism this year (and summer's not over!). Some headlines are claiming a slow start to the summer tourist season, while others claim that visitors are here but staying indoors. Either way, tourism suppliers will have to keep track of changing climate and visitor trends to stay ahead of the curve. Adaptation will be key even if businesses aren't experiencing any changes yet. Maybe that involves raised walkways on regularly mucky parts of hiking trails. Or maybe that involves flexible bookings for attractions that are weather dependent. Or maybe that looks like a partnership between a hotel and a museum where guests get discounted entrance tickets. The solutions are varied but one thing remains consistent: without preparation, Maine's tourism industry and outdoor recreators will increasingly be at the mercy of weather and climate impacts.
For more info about climate change in Maine, check out https://www.maine.gov/dep/sustainability/climate/trends-data.html.
