Sam Belknap, a project leader at the Island Institute from Damariscotta, ME. He is an anthropologist and climate scientist with a background in fishing. He currently works in the nonprofit sector because he wanted to engage in applied work that could bring about real-world change more quickly than academia or the policy world.

Scope and Content Note

Sam Belknap talks about his interests in the anthropology of climate change, the benefits of nonprofits, and the problems with education in Maine. He discusses his current work, which primarily focuses on sea-level rise, aquaculture, and renewable energy. He emphasizes the importance of adaptation strategies to address and mitigate climate change, which he considers to be the heart and soul of his work. He believes that understanding and addressing the specific challenges faced by these communities is crucial, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Regarding his research, Belknap explains his focus on how human communities and cultural groups respond to climate change and other forms of change. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural responses and adaptations of communities facing climate change and demographic shifts in Maine. He expresses optimism about the engagement and interest shown by the lobster fishing industry in addressing climate change issues and working with policymakers and communities to develop solutions.