CLIMATE SCIENCE PORTAL INTRODUCTION
MAINE CLIMATE
SCIENCE PORTAL
EXPLORING OUR CLIMATE REALITY IN MAINE
THROUGH TWO-EYED SEEING
Introduction
The science is clear. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are causing Earth’s climate to change in extreme, unpredictable and devastatingly impactful ways. Our purpose in creating the Maine Climate Science Portal is to provide a living, growing network where we all have the ability to perceive and understand current climate impacts around us and what they are telling us about the current and possible future impacts of climate change in Maine.
Understanding 'Two-Eyed Seeing'
Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk in Mi'kmaq) embraces “learning to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing, and from the other eye with the strengths of Western knowledges and ways of knowing, and to use both these eyes together, for the benefit of all,” as envisaged by Elder Dr. Albert Marshall. Two-Eyed Seeing was introduced by Mi’kmaq Elders, Albert and Murdena Marshall from the Eskasoni First Nation, alongside Cape Breton University Professor Cheryl Bartlett.
Two-Eyed Seeing is a way of understanding the world from two cultural perspectives: Indigenous Science that holds that life is more than can be known through analytic methods, and that draws important insights from culture and traditions, and Western Science which privileges objectivity and de-emphasizes the human element.
Two-Eyed Seeing asks that these two eyes work together to avoid one view dominating or assimilating the knowledge of the other. Instead the goal is to weave the understandings from these two ways of knowing together. This portal attempts to do just this.
Source: (left) The Wabanaki have been working to restore the ecosystems long before climate change became a prominent issue and continue to struggle to restore healthy and robust ecosystems under the terms of ‘business as usual’ practices of industry - Harvesting sweetgrass along the Maine Coast. Photo by Donald Soctomah. (right) Limnologist Scott Williams has monitored the changes in the health of Maine lakes for four decades. Photo by Matt Towle.
How to use the 'Two-Eyed Seeing' tool
Users may practice the Two-eyed Seeing approach by navigating back and forth using this icon (above). If, for example, you are exploring the Western Science section on “What will the impact on wild crops such as blueberries and maple syrup be?” clicking on the icon will bring you to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge section “Wild Berries” where you will gain a broader understanding of the effects of climate change on this iconic food.
Could climate change itself be the result of privileging one form of knowledge and ignoring the other? We hope this website will provide a starting point for a deeper exploration of this question, a journey that will ultimately lead to the harmonious integration of knowledge needed to create a more equitable, sustainable and life- affirming future for all.
1. Institute for Integrative Science & Health guided principles of Two-Eyed Seeing
2. Fish and Fisheries, Volume 22, Issue 2 p. 243-261 (19 October 2020) “Two-Eyed Seeing”: An Indigenous framework to transform fisheries research and management Abstract Wiley Online Library
FUSING INDIGENOUS AND WESTERN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN THE TIDE OF GLOBAL CHANGE A series of six Zoom-based webinars and panel discussions focusing on science, environmentalism, human health, and social justice. In each session, a Wabanaki cultural knowledge keeper, young environmental stewards from Maine, and a contemporary Western scientist from UMFK (Dr. “Ned” Rubert-Nason) will describe how different global change topics are experienced through Indigenous, youth (age 15-30), and contemporary scientific points of view.
DISCOVER | Primary Topics
EXPLORE | Frequently Asked Questions and all Topics
The Maine Climate Science Portal was envisioned and developed by Maine Climate Action Now. Content development, to date, has been a largely-volunteer effort. Like our collective response to the challenge of the climate crisis, this website is, and will continue to be, a work in progress. Our intent is to make the science accessible to all and be a helpful resource to explore how we are seeing the effects of climate change in Maine specifically. We have gathered resources in one place for you to access and have provided varying levels of exploration from new articles to scientific reports depending on your interest and purpose. There is a glossary of terms as you go and general resources for national and global discussions as well.
It is our hope that knowledge gained here will help inform the actions (be they large or small) of all who care about Maine’s future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | Climate Science Portal Contributors
Andrew Barton, Forest & Fire Ecologist, Professor of Biology, University of Maine at Farmington (350 Maine volunteer)
Ed Jenkins, Avian Biologist, Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland (350 Maine volunteer)
Roberta Hill, Ecological Systems Consultant, Lake and Watershed Associates; Bioregional Coordinator, Center for an Ecology Based Economy
Natalie Michelle, PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Studies and Research Assistant of Native Environmental Studies in Climate Change at the University of Maine
Donald Soctomah, Historic Preservation Officer, Passamaquoddy Tribe, Peskotomuhkati at Skutik
Colin Vettier, Writer and Editor (350 Maine volunteer)
Amy Eshoo, Director, MCAN
Karle Woods, Graphic Designer, Lights Out Art Consulting
Culiandra Nero, Design Intern, Lights Out Art Consulting
Elise Hartill, Administrative and Communications Coordinator for MYCJ, National Geographic Explorer
Chris Reardon, Colby College '22 (350 Maine volunteer)
Scott Vlaun, Executive Director, Center for an Ecology-Based Economy
QUICK LINKS
The Maine Climate Science Portal was envisioned and developed by Maine Climate Action Now. Content development, to date, has been a largely-volunteer effort. Click here to see a full list of contributors.
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