Is Rhode Island endangered by global warming?
	"The Ocean State" may be the smallest in the nation, but has an amazing 430 miles of coastline and 7,900 acres of tidal wetlands! Rhode Island is famous for its rocky shores, sandy beaches, bays and harbors, and plentiful wetlands. Newport, Narragnsett, Block Island, and beach towns in South County are both ecologically and economically rich with much biodiversity and economic productivity. Much of Rhode Island's economy comes from it's location; alongside the sea. A vast economy has been built from the commodities of the ocean. Rhode Island depends on fishing, tourism, and industry along the coast for economic productivity. All of this is threatened by the possibility of Global Warming.
Global Warming is a threat to coastlines because it increases both sea level and temperature, and also affects the wave climate. This disrupts the normal activity of the ocean and coastal zones. Coastal zones are ecologically rich, and have many functions. Natural Value °Coastal Zones regulate erosion and sedimentation patterns. ° They also regulate chemical composition of the atmosphere and oceans. °They provide flood and storm prevention. °They act as a natural method of waste assimilation. °They host a variety of migratory and permanent habitat for much biodiversity. °They provide a crucial barrier between saltwater and freshwater bodies. °They are a place of high biological productivity. Social and Economic Value °Provides area for a huge array of socioeconomic activity; tourism, recreation, fisheries, agriculture, extraction of minerals, industry and commerce, transportation, real estate, and infrastructure development. °Provides space for human habitat.
These areas are already in jeopardy because of over-exploitation, pollution, and urbanization. Global Warming and sea level rise will aggravate existing problems, because coastal areas have already lost resilience in coping with such change. Global Warming will consequently jeopardize existing coastal populations, infrastructures and investments within coastal cities and towns, as well as disrupting or destroying wildlife.There are many impacts due to an increase in temperature, even by as little as one degree Celsius!
	BACK TO TOP IMPACTS WHAT CAN BE DONE LINKS