Rhode Island needs to do more than elevate buildings to address the many challenges being created by a changing climate. (ecoRI News)

Rhode Island needs to do more than elevate buildings to address the many challenges being created by a changing climate. (ecoRI News)

The Ocean State’s signature climate-change legislation has been followed by five years of more study, reports, and executive orders that have accomplished little in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of a changing climate. ecoRI News takes an in-depth look at what the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 and its Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council have achieved.

Brown pelicans occasionally land in Rhode Island waters, like one did in early January. (istock)

Brown pelicans occasionally land in Rhode Island waters, like one did in early January. (istock)

The bird, named Bert by fishermen who were hand-feeding it fish, appeared healthy and unharmed, but the attention it generated from a crowd of curiosity-seekers likely raised its stress level.

CLF Says E-mail Contradicts Testimony of Invenergy's Expert

WARWICK, R.I. — The latest round of hearings for the proposed Burrillville power plant was dominated by a lengthy cross-examination of a single expert that included a potentially damaging e-mail.

The Task Force to Tackle Plastics has so far focused on removing single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, and foam containers, from Rhode Island’s waste stream. (ecoRI News)

The Task Force to Tackle Plastics has so far focused on removing single-use plastics, such as bags, straws, and foam containers, from Rhode Island’s waste stream. (ecoRI News)

Despite the government shutdown, federal agencies are moving forward with permitting for seismic airgun surveying and for the offshore drilling that may follow. (istock)

Despite the government shutdown, federal agencies are moving forward with permitting for seismic airgun surveying and for the offshore drilling that may follow. (istock)

Fishermen have very different perceptions of the impact of the Block Island Wind Farm. (Deepwater Wind)

Fishermen have very different perceptions of the impact of the Block Island Wind Farm. (Deepwater Wind)

Solar Projects Continue to Throw Shade at Green Space

CRANSTON, R.I. — A proposed 29-acre, ground-mounted solar project has neighbors concerned about a controversial issue that transcends city limits: another swath of Rhode Island marked for clear-cutting to make room for a renewable-energy project.

Local Efforts Underway to Expose Climate Deniers

Well-paid front groups lobby Congress to oppose climate legislation, spread false information about climate science, and run marketing campaigns that boost the image of fossil fuels.