Climate Change in RI

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to a rapid shift in long-term weather patterns, global temperatures, sea levels, and chemical balances in our atmosphere, soils, and oceans. Climate change is primarily caused by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy.

Every time that humans burn natural gas, coal, or oil to generate electricity, fuel our cars, or heat and cool our homes, we’re contributing to a massive buildup of polluting greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around the planet,causing rapid temperature increases and intensifying extreme weather events.

As global citizens, we are responsible for addressing this problem. We must take urgent, bold action--such as placing a fair price on carbon pollution--to protect this generation and those to come.

I’ve grown up in Rhode Island and seen the effects of human-cause climate change first hand, especially during crew season when my teammates and I row on the Seekonk River – we’ve had to get used to avoiding the large numbers of dead fish, most of which are killed by pollution, rising temperatures, and low oxygen levels. This is a real problem that we need to fix now, so it’s really inspiring to see fellow Rhode Islanders and activists pushing for carbon pricing legislation with Energize. I think it’s the most effective way to reduce the harm carbon emissions cause to our waterways and to our people, and I hope my state can become a leader in this way, hopefully generating the sense of urgency that comes with climate change awareness for our entire country."
Camilla Ledezma, 11th grader at Lincoln School

Impacts of climate change in RI

Climate change is already impacting Rhode Island, causing property damage, sea level rise, public health concerns, fish kills, weather destabilization, and other issues.

Sea level rise and extreme weather

Climate change causes glaciers to melt and water to expand, both of which contribute to sea level rise. Sea level rise increases flooding in Rhode Island, and will eventually cause some areas of the state to be underwater.
Climate change causes temperatures to rise, increasing the rate of evaporation and thereby adding more water vapor into the air. This process causes extreme weather events - such as Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the Bomb Cyclone in 2017 - to occur much more frequently and with heightened intensity.

Public health

Increased temperature, humidity, and ground-level ozone concentrations lead to a greater likelihood of developing respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Warmer temperatures increase the probability of disease transmission by ticks and mosquitoes by lengthening the season in which ticks carry Lyme disease and making the region habitable for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus.

Tourism

Climate change threatens the natural health and beauty of Rhode Island’s bay, ocean, and coastlines - central elements of the state’s tourism industry.
Sea level has already risen 10 inches at the Newport tide gauge since 1938. Coastal storm surges are now impacting more properties because rising sea levels allow flooding to reach farther inland.
The floods in 2010 hit communities like Warwick and Cranston, causing $330 million in damage throughout the flood areas. Floods like these are getting more frequent and more severe.

Decline of fish stocks

Winter sea surface temperatures of Narragansett Bay have risen 4° F since the 1960s. These increased temperatures have also lead to decreased oxygen levels, threatening the Bay’s critical ecosystems and fish stocks.
The Rhode Island lobster industry has been decimated. Due to warming waters, local lobster populations have migrated north and winter flounder populations have disappeared.

A bold solution to climate change

Climate change is a global issue, which means each town, city, state, and nation must do its part to both reduce carbon pollution and build resilience. Given the polarization of climate change in Congress and the climate denialist platform of the federal Administration, it is especially imperative that states take action. Through enacting bold policies like carbon pricing, Rhode Island can be a national leader in fighting climate change and serve as a model for other states

As the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island has already stepped up to take action on climate change. In 2014, RI enacted emissions reductions standards of 80% reduction by 2050. In 2017, RI issued a 1000 megawatt renewable energy goal by 2020, entered the US Climate Alliance to establish its commitment to the international Paris Climate Agreement, and began operation of the first offshore wind farm in the country.

In order to achieve our statewide goals and international commitments, we must place a fair price on carbon pollution that accurately takes into account the costs of its social and environmental damages. An economy-wide carbon price would enable Rhode Island to invest in renewable energy and climate resilience programs, such as building more offshore wind farms and green infrastructure projects.

It is not too late to address climate change. The worst impacts can be avoided if we act urgently, responsibly, and vigorously. Let’s work together to bring carbon pricing to Rhode Island in 2019.

The time to switch to renewable energy sources was yesterday, but today will have to do.
... State funds for clean energy investment are extremely limited in Rhode Island. ... It is imperative that Rhode Island takes legislative action to increase the funding available for renewable energy investment, which has both environmental and economic gains. While the economics of renewable energy make sense on their own, legislation is KEY to securing & accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels. While increasing job growth in a crucial sector, a carbon pricing bill is a step in the right direction and will ultimately help Rhode Island to meet its environmental goals."
Chris Quiray, The Solar Guy