Climate Change Expert to Speak at Beach SAMP Meeting May 3

Dr. Michael Oppenheimer, a longtime participant in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, will share his insights on emerging climate science and trends at the next Beach SAMP stakeholder meeting, Tuesday, May 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Corless Auditorium on URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus.

He recently served as a  coordinating lead author of both the IPCC’s special report on extreme climate events and disasters (called SREX) and the Fifth Assessment Report. Dr. Oppenheimer has been a member of several panels of the National Academy of Sciences and is now a member of the National Academies’ Board on Energy and Environmental Studies. He is also a winner of the 2010 Heinz Award and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

His interests include science and policy of the atmosphere, particularly climate change and its impacts. Much of his research aims to understand the potential for “dangerous” outcomes of increasing levels of greenhouse gases by exploring the effects of global warming on the ice sheets and sea level, on the risk from coastal storms and on patterns of human migration.

Pizza will be served in the auditorium library at 5:30. RSVP to beachsamp@etal.uri.edu

Block Island Times Reports on Coastal Risk Tools

Ann St Pier Irene 20110828_001-small_banner
Ann Street Pier, Newport, during Hurricane Irene in 2011. (Credit: RI Sea Grant)

Many factors contribute to building true coastal resilience. The GIS-based Coastal Environmental Risk Index (CERI) tools developed with support from CRC are an important element. Check out this article in The Block Island Times featuring CRC-ers to learn more.

CRC Leads Effort to Bring Resilience Tool to R.I. Homeowners

Tree damage to a South Kingstown, R.I., home from a “microburst” in August 2015 . (credit: Pam Rubinoff/CRC)

Thanks to the work of CRC and its colleagues at R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council, R.I. State Building Commission and R.I. Sea Grant, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety is bringing its national Fortified Home program to Rhode Island. The building and remodel certification program requires upgraded standards to make structures more resilient to natural hazards, such as storm damage.

CRC’s Pam Rubinoff has been on the frontlines of this work, not only as a coastal management professional but as a homeowner, and she is sharing her story to help get the word out about the Fortified Home program.

The topic of designing and building coastal homes that can withstand impacts from climate change, increased storminess and sea level rise is a timely one in Rhode Island.  Learn more about a Charlestown, R.I., architectural firm’s approach to the issue.

Beach SAMP Pilot Study to Use Coastal Risk Index Tool

At the recent Beach SAMP stakeholders meeting Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council introduced a pilot study that will use the GIS-based Coastal Environmental Risk Index (CERI) tool to determine risks to buildings and infrastructure from climate change and sea level rise impacts. The cities of Warwick and Charlestown were chosen as pilot sites as part of this Beach SAMP activity. Read more in this Westerly Sun article.

Beach SAMP Stakeholder Meeting is Feb. 4

The next stakeholder meeting of the R.I. Shoreline Change Special Area Management Plan (Beach SAMP) is Thursday, Feb.4, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Coastal Institute Auditorium, Narragansett Bay Campus. The meeting will serve to update the public on project activities.
Presentations include:

  1. The Beach SAMP document, Introduction chapter.
  2. Municipal outreach in Washington County – overview of worksessions completed for five towns.
  3. Shoreline erosion mapping update.
  4. STORMTOOLS update.
  5. Introduction to the Coastal Environmental Risk Index (CERI), a pilot project for 2016.

Pizza will be served at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to beachSAMP@etal.uri.edu.

 

 

Reminder: Beach SAMP Stakeholder Meeting is March 3

Don’t forget to attend the next Beach SAMP Stakeholder Meeting Tuesday, March 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Coastal Institute Auditorium, URI Narragansett Bay Campus. The topic is “How Can Coastal Engineering Contribute to Resilient Coastal Communities. Christopher P. Jones,  P.E., will address the question: “Coastal engineering can counteract some of the processes and forces attacking our shorelines and communities, but what are the practical and financial limits? Jones is a registered professional engineer specializing in coastal hazard identification, hazard mitigation and coastal engineering with more than 30 years of experience.

Pizza will be served at 5:30 p.m. RSVP to beachSAMP@etal.uri.edu

This Beach SAMP stakeholder meeting is cosponsored by RI Flood Mitigation Association (RIFMA)