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> Home > Rhode Island Chapter Conservation Goals Rhode Island Chapter Conservation GoalsPeople live in Rhode Island because of the beauty of the “ocean state” and the jewels of its environment – Narragansett Bay, our ocean beaches, and the beautiful New England woods. These special places are the foundation of the state’s attractiveness and a mainstay of its economy through tourism. But Rhode Islanders are also concerned about the dire predictions of increasing pollution and global warming from our heavy reliance on dirty imported energy. These dirty energy sources of the past threaten to foul the freshness or our sea breezes, erode our beaches from rising sea levels, and ruin our waters with diseases and die-offs of our treasured bay wildlife. King Coal, Big Oil, the auto corporations and their friends in the federal government continue to lobby for the dirty energy sources of the past, slowing down progress for re-energizing America with a clean energy economy. But Rhode Island has a chance to re-energize its economy, create new green jobs, and restore its quality of life through reducing its dependence on the stale, dirty energy sources of the past and invest in the efficient use of imported resources and new, clean energy.
The world's scientists agree: Global warming is real, here, and happening faster than anyone predicted. But scientists also say we can curb global warming and its consequences -- if we take bold, comprehensive action now that adds up to an 80 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2050, or 2 percent a year.
Clean, Affordable Transportation Choices
Rhode Island’s dependence on automobiles is hurting our communities, the environment and our economy. So Sierra Club is working to make sure that the proposed commuter rail lines in towns like Warwick and Wickford are built. We’re advocating for expanded and improved RIPTA service state-wide. We’re promoting the development of more neighborhood bikeways, and we’re working with a number of Rhode Island cities that are interested in promoting smart, affordable transportation choices through the Cool Cities campaign.
Rhode Island is in a race to energy independence. By getting both large scale and community renewable energy projects working ahead of neighboring states, Rhode Island can be the center of the new energy economy along the North East coast.
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