Especially for the Ocean State, learning about coastal resilience has taken on new urgency and importance as climate-change impacts have become real (and expensive). Moreover, scientific studies show that the statistical likelihood of similar impacts is increasing. Since recent extreme tidal flooding, the devastating floods of 2010, and weather events like super storm Sandy, municipal officials and community-planning professionals are taking notice. It’s hard to ignore the warning signs and implications for residents and businesses alike. The PREP-RI course modules are:

Climate Change in Rhode Island Describes how climate change works, identifies current and projected trends, and explains potential impacts on local communities.

Flooding Describes various flooding scenarios, defines flooding’s social and economic impacts, and identifies examples, options, and programs for flood mitigation.

Infrastructure Impacts Describes impacts of climate change on infrastructure, reviews assessed vulnerabilities by sector, and identifies ways to use State assessments in local planning and action.

Mapping Tools Reviews mapping tools available to decision-makers in planning, recommends specific tools for specific situations, and explains incorporation of sea-level-rise into projections

Stormwater Reviews causes, trends, impact, and management of stormwater, and describes risk-reduction through low-impact development and green-infrastructure techniques.

Adaptation Outlines steps for including adaptation into coastal-community planning, and identifies strategies for adapting to flooding and similar climate-change impacts.