Resilient Rhody Rhode Island's First Comprehensive Climate Preparedness Strategy On September 15, 2017, Governor Gina M. Raimondo signed an Executive Order appointing a Chief Resilience Officer to drive climate resilience efforts across the state, both within government and in collaboration with business, academic, and nonprofit partners, with the mission to develop a statewide Climate Resilience Action Strategy to be submitted to the Governor by July 1, 2018. The goal of the Strategy is to identify actions - e.g., projects, policies and legislation, or funding and financing opportunities - that the state can take to better prepare for a changing climate. Rhode Islanders are seeing the impacts of climate change in our communities already so the actions included in the Strategy prioritize things we can begin work on now. Resilient Rhody 3 Year Impact Report (November 2021) Read the Resilient Rhody Strategy (July 2018) PDF file, about 73mbmegabytes Resiliency Roundtables Throughout the state, we heard many concerns, both coastal and upland. Here are our biggest takeaways from these roundtable meetings, which we used to shape the main themes of the working Climate Resiliency Action Strategy. “The statewide strategy needs to recognize that municipalities are on the front lines of dealing with the impacts of a changing climate” “Rhode Island has done a lot of planning and vulnerability studies, this strategy needs to drive investment where it’s needed most” “We are glad you ventured to the inland communities for the Roundtable discussion as we often feel left out of the process since we aren’t on the coast” “How are we going to pay for all these needed infrastructure upgrades?” COASTAL Stressors Shocks Severe Weather Events (e.g. hurricanes) High Wind Flooding Stressors Sea level rise Aging infrastructure Spread of invasive species Coastal erosion Development pressure and assets in floodplains Vulnerabilities Natural Coastal wetlands and marshland Aquaculture Harbors Rivers, bays Salt Marshes Beaches Forests Farmland Infrastructure Water infrastructure Stormwater-related infrastructure Wastewater systems/treatment facilities Drinking water supply Transportation infrastructure Improve access to public transportation Roads and bridges, rails Food distribution Energy infrastructure Electric grid and power lines Inequitable access Community Local organizations (churches, senior centers, libraries, schools) Local businesses Public recreation and natural areas / shoreline access Coastal way of life / culture / diversity / tourism Housing and historic properties, real estate values Underserved populations Needs Enhanced emergency preparedness Government/community communication and coordination Information for residents re: zone building requirements & flood insurance Communication enabled during storms Generators at essential facilities Clear evacuation routes and identified centers shelters Education Community and business education re: resiliency, climate, emergency procedures Others Sustainable funding and new financing mechanisms for resiliency Update building and zoning laws and codes to new climate projections Build local leadership for sustained interaction between community, business, and municipalities on climate resilience UPLAND Stressors Shocks Severe Weather Events (hurricanes, etc.) High Wind Flooding Forest Fires Stressors Aging infrastructure Spread of invasive species / forest pests Drought Temperature swings Development pressure and assets in floodplains Vulnerabilities Natural Farmland Forests Drinking water supply (reservoirs, private wells) Infrastructure Bridges and roads Power grid Cell towers and communication network Dams (public and private) Stormwater infrastructure Wastewater treatment facilities Community Public recreation and natural areas Hospitals, nursing homes Historic neighborhoods Needs Enhanced emergency preparedness Community communication/education Information re: emergency response and preparedness More evacuation routes, and clear communication re: evacuation routes Data and maps for upland flood risk and emergency response Robust communications network (internet, phone, cable) Continuity of services at emergency shelters during disruption Backup generators Others Education to municipal staff and planning boards on climate change, resiliency, green infrastructure Updated zoning codes to reflect climate projections and vulnerabilities Increase access to public transportation Sustainable municipal funding and new financing strategies Staff expertise/training (high turnover and limited resources) Build local leadership for sustained interaction between community, business, and municipalities on climate resilience If you are engaged on this issue, this is the place to interact with us as we continue to work toward climate resilience here in Rhode Island. Send us your feedback! Learn more about the implementation of the Resilient Rhody Strategy here.