“Join Us for a Summer Series on Climate Change and Resilience in Newport County!”
The Newport Energy & Environment Commission is taking proactive steps to educate the community on climate change and resilience through a summer educational series. The series will consist of three events, each focusing on different aspects of environmental concerns relevant to Newport county and Aquidneck Island.
The first event, scheduled for July 23 at 6:30pm, will delve into the topic of “Climate Change & Aquidneck Island.” The panel will discuss the environmental changes that Newport and surrounding municipalities have experienced in recent years, as well as the potential impacts of climate change on the area. Panelists include Rhode Island State Senator Dawn Euer, Professor Stephen Porder from Brown University, and Topher Hamblett from Save the Bay.
The second event, set for August 8 at 6:30pm, will focus on “The Effect of Climate Change and Offshore Wind on Fisheries and Ocean Ecosystems.” This panel will explore the impact of climate change on Rhode Island fisheries and discuss mitigation tactics, such as offshore wind, to support sustainable fishing in the state. Panelists include Dr. David Bethoney from the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, Dr. Jeremy Collie from the University of Rhode Island, Andrew Lipsky from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Frederick Mattera from the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI.
The final event, taking place on August 15 at 6:30pm, will address “Offshore Wind Development off of Aquidneck Island and Newport County.” Panelists will discuss the planning and execution of offshore wind developments, as well as the potential impacts on local communities and the role of offshore wind in meeting climate goals. Panelists include Julia Livermore from the RI Department of Environmental Management, Nick Horton from Climate Action Rhode Island, and David Langlais from Iron Workers Local 37.
All events will be held at Newport City Hall in the second floor City Council Chambers and are free and open to the public. Each event will feature extended introductions from speakers, a discussion facilitated by a member of the Energy & Environment Commission, and an opportunity for audience questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts in the field and engage in important discussions about the future of our community.