What's New

On April 1, 2010, the Obama administration finalized landmark tailpipe standards that will cut global warming pollution, reduce America’s dependence on oil, and save Americans money at the gas pump.

Environment Rhode Island and our national federation, Environment America, worked for nearly a decade to achieve this victory—by working to pass the standards in Rhode Island and more than a dozen other states. These victories set the stage for President Obama’s decision in May 2009 to extend the program across the entire nation—which the administration has now finalized.

Our sister group Environment California's global warming advocate Bernadette Del Chiaro appeared on NBC Nightly News to discuss the program, calling the standards the federal government's "biggest single step forward to solve global warming." (You can watch the story here.)

Yet, Big Oil and their allies in Congress—led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—are pushing to block the Obama administration’s efforts to limit carbon pollution, including the new clean cars standards. Environment Rhode Island is working hard to defend the Clean Air Act and defeat these attacks in Congress.

Brief Summary

Global warming is a real and growing threat for Rhode Island. Rising sea levels threaten our coastlines, and higher temperatures make our air pollution more dangerous.

Changes in sea levels and bay temperatures could have tremendous impacts on Rhode Island's 400 miles of densely populated shoreline and on our marine industry.

In addition, more frequent and intense storms will accelerate beach erosion and increase the cost of insurance along Rhode Island's coastline.

Hotter temperatures also mean more days when the air in Rhode Island is literally unhealthy to breathe.