R.I. Cities and Towns Adapting to Climate Change

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — There are still a number of climate-change deniers out there, but at least here in Rhode Island, businesses and local and state governments say it's a reality that can't be ignored.

"As a public utility, we need to take a serious look at the impacts and effects of climate change," Janine Burke, general manager of the Warwick Sewer Authority, said during a seminar on climate-change adaptation Monday at Save The Bay's headquarters.

The event was part of an ongoing campaign run by Save The Bay to offer city and town planners ideas for addressing flooding, erosion and other potential dangers to public infrastructure brought on by climate change.

With tropical storm Irene and the floods of March 2010 still fresh in their minds, municipal officials and environmental advocates alike didn't need to be convinced of the need to plan for future natural disasters. 

"We're aware of the local effects of a global problem," said Jonathan Stone, director of Save The Bay.

Driving home the point is the ballooning cost of repairs from natural disasters. During the past 15 years, expenses nationally have jumped from about $10 billion annually to more than $100 billion. "So the money is going back to Mother Nature," said Louis Gritzo of business insurer FM Global.

Gritzo recommended that business and municipalities plan as if every year could bring the devastating 500-year storm. "Doing nothing is not part of the solution," he said.

Protecting buildings rarely requires relocating, he said, but typically includes relatively low-cost upgrades such as roof fasteners and portable flood gates for doors.

Cities and towns need large-capacity storm drains, higher roadways and additional open space to withstand flooding, storm surges and higher tides. San Diego and Milwaukee are protecting acres of land to curtail flooding. "What it means is (more) green space and trees, so less water is running into the system," said Edwin Pinero, sustainability officer for waste and drinking water consultant for Veolia Water.

Michael Lewis, head of the state Department of Transportation (DOT), said Rhode Island is "a little bit ahead of the curve" compared to the rest of the country when it comes to planning climate-change adaptation. Currently, the DOT has been studying geographic, tidal and rainfall data to determine where changes are needed.

Paying for the upgrades will vary by community, but the state, Lewis said, will look for the bulk of its funding from federal programs. Yet, each municipality must decide if threatened areas should upgrade infrastructure or simply abandon and let nature take control, which is already happening in some parts of the country such as Alaska.

Regardless of the solution, municipal planners learned they won't be able to go it alone in preparing for the next big storm. "Homeowners, municipalities, businesses, everyone has to work together," Pinero said.