Editorial

Climate change is here

Posted 9/5/13

Climate change is here and it’s high time Rhode Islanders open their eyes to the negative impact of rising sea levels, overflowing rivers and engorged waterways.

Recent flooding events – …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
Editorial

Climate change is here

Posted

Climate change is here and it’s high time Rhode Islanders open their eyes to the negative impact of rising sea levels, overflowing rivers and engorged waterways.

Recent flooding events – tasking local resources, inundating inadequate drainage infrastructure systems, submerging homes and businesses and causing a nightmarish awakening for residents are only the beginning of what is expected by experts to be a recurring theme.

Mother Nature is here to deliver the message that climate change is no longer a hypothetical to be debated, but a reality to be prepared for on a daily basis. There are no control mechanisms in place for her weather agenda and those without a plan in place may find themselves hard pressed for answers when she comes knocking at the door.

The politics of climate change no longer lie with the cause, but with the plan. It is an imperative. Preparation and planning is required. It’s mandatory.

Climate change has come to Rhode Island wielding torrents of water in areas previously unaffected. Climate change is real and Rhode Island is seeing its effects not only on its eroding shores, but in rural communities and metropolitan areas untouched by the sea.

Mother Nature’s most recent Labor Day lesson displaced more than 75 residents and 29 families during a flash flood, delivering more than 2 inches of rain in less than an hour, while sending torrents of water and raw sewage into an apartment complex previously untouched by such weather events. Flood plains are being returned to nature with homes being demolished and residents being told to take the money and move to higher ground.

Mother Nature has arrived for a prolonged visit and along for the stay, her companion, Climate Change.

Comments

4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • davebarry109

    Hmmmmm....not buying it. There has been a great deal of development around Garden City/Dean Estates. For Mr. Howell to point to one apartment building flooding and say it proves climate change makes a science teacher quiver with disbelief. For such isolated flooding, one would more than likely look to a recent grade change or some development, maybe even inadequate storm drains as a result of other changes to the area instead of a global cause. This type of illogical editorializing doesn't help the global warming agenda.

    Thursday, September 5, 2013 Report this

  • Michael2012

    People will never listen or want to stop the insane amount of pollution. Climate change sucks but no one seems to care. I totally think the climate is warming. The rain storms the past few years have been unreal for this area. Now a days several inches of rain for a storm seems to be the norm. The atmosphere is warmer holding more juice. How often do we break a record low these days? Yet record highs all the time. Signs in nature are the true signs that the climate is changing. CO2 406 ppm and rising rapidly in the atmosphere. It's obvious it is from all the fossil fuels burnt since the industrial revolution. Some people say it is good but with the planet rapidly over populating due to this modern civilization it is a blessing and a curse at the same time.

    Saturday, September 7, 2013 Report this

  • falina

    A topic the editor fails to mention, which is equally as important as climate change, is management of storm water runoff. The more we develop land, the more paved areas we create, leaving heavy rainfall with few options to drain. Water follows the path of least resistance. By using rain gardens and better planning of developed areas to include natural plantings to absorb excess water, much of this flooding can be minimized and/or even averted. In the meantime we can help with solutions such as keeping runoff drains from becoming clogged from debris and more importantly litter, a very definite man-made problem.

    Monday, September 9, 2013 Report this

  • Michael2012

    ON SEPT 11TH, 2013 IT IS 90-96 F. ACTUAL TEMPS SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. DEW POINT 75 F. SO IT FEELS LIKE 101 F.

    WHERE IS SEPTEMBER TEMPERATURES??????????????????

    Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Report this