RI State House: Pass the Resilient RI Act

Rhode Island is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. Record setting summer heat waves, floods like those we experienced in 2010, storms like Hurricane Sandy and Irene, and sea level rise all impact Rhode Island residents. We need to plan ahead for climate change in order to achieve positive solutions that work for all Rhode Islanders, not wait until strife and necessity dictate our responses.

Climate resiliency legislation would set our state on the path towards making our economy and society resilient in the face of climate change by creating a comprehensive and forward-looking statewide plan. We need our state and local government to consider climate change when making decisions, and this legislation would ensure that state and local government have the information and tools they need to protect Rhode Island's economy, public health, and welfare.

Climate resiliency legislation would allow our state to both adapt to the impacts of climate change and mitigate future changes. By connecting mitigation and adaption strategies, we can take an innovative new strategy that allows for a truly comprehensive approach to helping our state turn the challenge of climate change into an opportunity for growth.

The challenges posed by climate change can be overcome through cooperation and community decision making, but only if we are able to plan ahead for the challenges we face. Climate resiliency legislation is both a commitment and an opportunity to create a resilient and inclusive state.

We call on the Rhode Island State Legislature to pass climate resiliency legislation and build a resilient, thoughtful path for our state that ensures that our economy, culture, and quality of life are protected from climate change.