NARRAGANSETT—This March was the warmest on record in Rhode
Island (and for the U.S.), according to NOAA. Warmer winters are just one
consequence of climate change facing Rhode Island, according to a new document
by the University of Rhode Island Climate Change Collaborative.
“This document compiles the latest scientific findings from
a variety of fields—physical, biological, and chemical oceanography, geology,
ecology, and so on—to describe what is happening to Rhode Island marine
resources, shorelines, and coastal communities right now, and what can be
expected in the future,” says Virginia Lee, senior coastal manager for the URI
Coastal Resources Center, and co-leader of the URI Climate Change
Collaborative.
While many of the changes may be detrimental to coastal
property owners and businesses, Lee stresses that the authors focused on
presenting a balanced view of climate change, including the possibility that
longer summers may be a boon to tourism, and reduced icing may lengthen the
shipping season.
Nevertheless, the authors’ primary goal, she says, is to
help communities and individuals understand what is happening so they can
prepare for the impacts they are likely to face, such as increased flooding.
The document is available online at seagrant.gso.uri.edu/climate,
along with more information on the Climate Change Collaborative.
The URI Climate Change Collaborative was funded by a
grant from the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program based at the URI Graduate
School of Oceanography. For more information about Sea Grant, see seagrant.gso.uri.edu.