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COMING SUMMER 2025 | Climate of Change: Aquaculture for People and Planet
Discover how Maine’s shellfish and seaweed industries are leading the way in climate-friendly food production. Aquaculture for People and Planet, the latest short film in our Climate of Change series, explores how Island Institute is helping Maine’s seafood businesses lower their carbon footprint, boost resilience, and build a thriving, sustainable seafood economy.
REGISTER FOR A FREE CLIMATE OF CHANGE SCREENING EVENT NEAR YOU
Join us for a free screening of Aquaculture for People and Planet! Stick around after each screening for a panel discussion with local aquaculturists and Island Institute staff, where we’ll dive into the innovative ways Maine’s sea farmers are cutting their carbon footprint while increasing their bottom line. We’ll also explore why farmed shellfish and seaweed are among the most efficient protein sources on the planet for both the economy and the environment.
Reserve your free ticket to the film screening near you.
Climate of Change Film Series
Climate of Change: Clean Energy Solutions for the Working Waterfront (2022)
The sixth film in our ongoing climate-related documentary series, Climate of Change: Clean Energy Solutions for the Working Waterfront follows Sam Belknap of the Island Institute as he travels the Maine coast to meet with innovators on the working waterfront.
Island Institute’s clean energy work includes connecting marine entrepreneurs with resources and support as they pursue solar arrays, electric boats, and efficient cooling systems.The seas are rising, and every community on the coast of Maine—and coasts elsewhere—should explore ways to adapt for future sea levels.
Climate of Change: Sea Level Rise (2021)
The seas are rising, and every community on the coast of Maine—and coasts elsewhere—should explore ways to adapt for future sea levels.
The fifth film in our ongoing climate-related documentary series, Climate of Change: Sea Level Rise follows the community of Vinalhaven, Maine, over a two-year period as they have conversations around planning for and responding to sea level rise on the island. It highlights some of the challenges they face, but more importantly, shows us how a small, yet engaged community can lead the way to planning for change.
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The First Four Films, 2013–2015
During the summer of 2013, Island Institute hosted a two-day climate change workshop focusing on the state of science and fishermen’s observations from an ecosystem perspective. Scientists, policy makers, and resource harvesters discussed how new and proposed management strategies could be effective in the face of climate change. What came out of the workshop was a comprehensive report detailing issues, observations, and suggested next steps.
In addition to the report, a new video series was produced which highlights threatened fishing communities in Maine, Alaska, and Florida—and what they’re doing to adapt to these inevitable changes.
Warming waters, ocean acidification, industry collapse, aquaculture—across New England and the nation, fishermen and scientists are observing notable shifts in the ecosystem and dramatic changes on the water. The four short films in our Climate of Change series show how impacts are felt in Alaska, Florida, and here in Maine.
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PART 1: Warming Waters in the Gulf of Maine (2014)
Scientists, managers, and fishermen have all begun to discuss how we can and should be planning for the inevitable, but unpredictable, climate impacts on the marine ecosystem.
PART 2: Ocean Acidification in Alaska (2014)
Ocean acidification is a global problem, but its impact is being felt first and felt hardest in the Arctic. The state of Maine is looking towards Alaska and seeking to take a lesson from the experiences of fishermen there.
PART 3: Collapse and Adaptation in the Apalachicola Oyster Fishery (2014)
In early 2014, Mainers traveled to Apalachicola, Florida, once home to one of the most valuable oyster fisheries in the country, to see what happens when a fishery collapses completely and what the community is doing to adapt and revitalize itself.
PART 4: The Future of Aquaculture (2015)
Part 4 returns to Maine to focus on a positive future for the state’s fishing communities through aquaculture and how more and more resource harvesters are seeing farmed shellfish and sea vegetables as a vital way to stay on the water.
