Rhode Island Sea Grant

Climate Change in Rhode Island

Events: Please join us for "Understanding and Addressing Climate Change Impacts in North Kingstown"

The University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center/Rhode Island Sea Grant (CRC/SG) and the North Kingstown Free Library invite you to attend a free public event focused on understanding and addressing the potential impacts of storms and sea level rise on North Kingstown and Rhode Island:

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m.: PUBLIC LECTURE at North Kingstown Public Library Doors open at 6:00 p.m. to view maps/displays; Public Lecture starts at 6:30 p.m.-- Janet Freedman, a geologist from the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council, will explain what these impacts are, and URI CRC/SG coastal planners Teresa Crean and Pam Rubinoff will present a project that is helping North Kingstown better protect people, property and public infrastructure from the effects of erosion, flooding and sea level rise.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: OPEN HOUSE at North Kingstown Public LibraryLearn about sea level rise and climate change adaptation in North Kingstown through maps & displays. SHARE YOUR INPUT on which vulnerable assets you would like to see protected through management policies and public investment.

Please RSVP for the April 18 lecture to amber@crc.uri.edu. More information on this project is available at North Kingstown Climate Change Adaptation Planning (NK Phase 2).

TAKE OUR SURVEY: Learn more about protecting yourself and your property from natural hazards. Enter to win one of four $25 Home Depot gift cards! This survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete and will give you customized tips for preparing for natural hazards. Participation is confidential. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THIS SURVEY.

For more information contact: Pamela Rubinoff, principal investigator, of the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center and Rhode Island Sea Grant at (401) 874-6135 or email: rubi@crc.uri.edu.

Introduction to the Climate Program
The evidence is so overwhelming that the scientific community is in consensus that the climate is indeed changing. Climate change is affecting temperatures, the length and timing of seasons, the amount of rain and snow that falls annually, sea level, and ocean chemistry. Many of these changes have negative consequences for people and the environment, and individuals and communities should work to reduce their risks from today's climate hazards and tomorrow's effects of climate change. Ecologically, economically, and culturally, Rhode Island faces challenges from climate change that are specific to the coastal landscape.

Featured Publications

Fact Sheet:		Fact Sheet:	Science Summary:
Precipitation and Storms in Rhode Island: Trends and Impacts		Sea Level Rise in Rhode Island: Trends and Impacts	Climate Change & Rhode Island's Coasts

In the News

Losing Ground: Coastal Erosion in Rhode Island
Did you know that 50 percent of Rhode Island's shoreline sediments are susceptible to erosion? Or that with the increasing rainfall that comes with climate change, Block Island's bluffs will face more rapid erosion? This presentation by Janet Freedman, coastal geologist with the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council, describes some of the erosion threats Rhode Island's coastal areas are facing, as well as efforts the state is undertaking to help municipalities and property owners address these problems. View presentation (pdf). For more on climate change impacts to Rhode Island, see Climate Change and Rhode Island's Coasts.

Wastewater Management Workshop June 27th: In coordination with the DEM, CRMC, and NOAA, RI Sea Grant facilitated a workshop with DEM's Office of Water Resources to discuss climate trends relevant to the wastewater and stormwater sectors. Managers, planners, and permiters participated to discuss the science and the implications to their sector. Jon Boothroyd: Professor Emeritus, URI; RI State Geologist presented Climate Change, Coastal Geologic Hazards and Sea-Level Rise and David Vallee, Hydrologist in Charge, NOAA National Weather Service presented Rainfall and Flood Frequency: Times They Are A Changing.

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Rhode Island High Tide 2012 Photo Contest: Rhode Island Sea Grant, Save The Bay, and the R.I Coastal Resources Management Council held a photo contest for the best image showing the effects of some of the year's highest tides on June 2 - 3. The winning photo, taken by Jacob Klinger, shows a bench being inundated with water cascading over the Narragansett sea wall. That and some of the other top photos can be seen in the slideshow below. All photos are online at http://www.flickr.com/groups/ritide2012/. Sea Grant, Save The Bay, and CRMC would like to thank all the participants, who contributed over 200 photos from around the state. These images show what may happen more frequently as sea levels rise with climate change, and they give a sense of the impacts to the many homes, roads, businesses, habitats, recreational areas, and other infrastructure that may experience increased tidal flooding.

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View climate change lecture online: In April 2012, Pamela Rubinoff spoke at the Sustainable Communities Initiative lecture series at Rhode Island College. To view the presentation, click here.

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Members of the URI Climate Change Collaborative were featured on Channel 12 in March 2012, speaking about the impacts of climate change and sea level rise in Rhode Island. Virginia Lee of the Coastal Resources Center and Jon Boothroyd, URI geosciences research professor emeritus, discuss what communities around the coast can expect to see in coming years. Check out the video below:

 

RI's waters encroaching on land: wpri.com

 

Symposia

November 18, 2011
Climate Change and Coastal Adaptation in Rhode Island Symposium
Experts presented current research findings on climate change science, behavior change theory, and communication. Following these presentations, participants formed working groups to discuss the impacts of climate change on their sector, what is at risk, and what adaptation actions are practical in each of four key areas: 1) public works and infrastructure, 2) marine trades and recreation, 3) coastal habitat conservation and 4) residential and commercial building. You may view the presentations as videos (YouTube) or PowerPoints (slideshare) through links in this pdf.

May 5, 2011
URI Climate Change Science Symposium
URI researchers shared current research on issues related to climate change and its implications to Rhode Island and the region. Click here for a list of presentations.