In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons dive into how Rhode Island’s coastal municipalities are adapting to climate change and rising sea levels through updated zoning and land-use ordinances.

Topics covered include:

The growing urgency of coastal resilience planning in Rhode Island

Steps towns are taking to revise municipal ordinances for future development

Challenges of balancing due process vs. emergency action

The concept of “retreat”—when rebuilding in flood-prone areas no longer makes sense

Protecting natural defenses such as wetlands and conservation easements

Legal and policy questions about redevelopment after disasters

Human behavior during disasters and the formation of “stay-behind” communities

Whether you’re a homeowner, planner, or environmental professional, this conversation offers insight into the legal and practical measures shaping the state’s coastal future.