Providence New Bedford, RI, September 30, 2026 — A comprehensive, decades-long study conducted by the University of Rhode Island (URI) is shedding light on the escalating threat of coastal erosion along Rhode Island’s shoreline. The research underscores the significant impact of climate change and rising sea levels on the state’s human-built coastal infrastructure, including residential properties, commercial establishments, and essential roadways.

The long-term project, which commenced its monitoring activities in the 1960s, has focused on eight distinct beaches across Rhode Island. Over the years, these beaches have been systematically observed to track changes in their geography and the forces acting upon them. The accumulated data, now made publicly accessible, provides a detailed illustration of the dynamic and often challenging nature of the coastal environment.

Researchers from URI highlight that erosion rates have been accelerating, a trend attributed in large part to the intensifying effects of climate change and the steady rise in global sea levels. This environmental shift is creating considerable pressure on structures and infrastructure that were developed in proximity to the coast, often without full anticipation of such long-term coastal dynamics.

The study emphasizes the inherent challenges associated with development in transitional zones, areas that are naturally subject to constant change due to wave action, tides, and sediment transport. The findings from URI’s extensive data collection serve as a critical resource for understanding the ongoing transformation of the Rhode Island coastline and the complex issues it presents for coastal communities and planning.


Story summarized from the original created by Frank Carini on ecori.org, see more information here.

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