The Warming Sea

Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Collins Center for the Arts

Please join the Maine Science Festival for an evening centered around climate change in Maine, culminating in the world premiere of The Warming Sea – an Exploration of Hope in the Face of the Climate Crisis.

What is The Warming Sea?

In January of 2019 the Maine Science Festival commissioned GRAMMY award-winning composer, Lucas Richman, to compose a symphonic piece about climate change. This came about because Maine’s Bicentennial was coming up (2020), Maine has world-leading scientists and researchers focused on climate change, and the news that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the world’s oceans. And also because the MSF recognized that we needed another way to communicate the science of climate change. The Maine Science Festival team arranged a series of conversations between Richman and scientists, researchers, and experts along the coast of Maine. These conversations, as well as perspectives provided by middle school students Richman visited throughout Maine, informed this new symphony.

The Warming Sea presents complex and sometimes overwhelming challenges through the lens of music, providing a deeper understanding of how climate change is impacting the earth than data alone has been able to convey. The Maine Science Festival intends to advance the climate conversation with this symphony, to offer hope, and to inspire action to build a better future.

The evening’s schedule

Opening conversation: Maine’s climate researchers are world renowned and their expertise in a wide variety of areas provides a deep foundation for understanding our climate and the changes that humans have caused. In our opening conversation, we learn about the work of some of Maine’s leading climate researchers, and how their work can inform our future.

Panelists:

Katherine Allen, School of Earth and Climate Sciences Cooperating Appointment, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine
Seth Campbell, School of Earth and Climate Sciences and Climate Change Institute, University of Maine

Jacquelyn Gill, Paleoecology & Plant Ecology, School of Biology and Ecology and the Climate Change Institute, University of Maine

Cassaundra Rose, Maine Climate Council

Moderated by Ronit Prawer, Director of the Science and Innovation Network, United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Lucas Richman’s Journey: Discover how Richman turned 200 years of climate data, the threats we face, and the hope of children into his symphonic exploration of the climate crisis with this short film of Lucas’ conversations as he learned about climate change in Maine.

World Premiere of The Warming Sea, composed and conducted by Lucas Richman, performed by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Animation by digital artist Chuck Carter.

The reaction from The Warming Sea scientists and climate solutions: what can we do going forward ?

A conversation with many of the experts who spoke with Lucas to help him understand climate change in Maine in order to compose The Warming Sea, hearing both their reaction to the symphony and what’s next for them (and us) in planning for and adapting to our new climate.

Tickets

Now on sale at the CCA box office. Call (207) 581-1755, click on Get Tickets above, or visit in person at 2 Flagstaff Road on the UMaine campus.
$25 adult / $10 student

If you’re planning on attending The Warming Sea, the Collins Center Box Office can pre-screen you for proof of vaccination. This will allow you to skip the vaccination card screening on the evening of March 19th; you will still need to show an ID with your ticket. Stop by the Collins Center Box Office (2 Flagstaff Road, Orono) anytime during regular business hours: M-F 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.