Make A Difference: Volunteer For The Climate Resiliency Commission

On December 13 the Charlestown Town Council created a Climate Resiliency Commission that will consist of five members, and appointments to the Commission will be made by the Town Council at its February Council meeting. Interested Charlestown residents may submit applications for the open positions at any time between now and early February.

Of the five members, at least three of the five members should have scientific, technical or engineering backgrounds and/or experience, with preference given to environmental or life sciences.

Among its duties, the Commission will undertake “efforts and actions to preserve and improve the quality of life for Charlestown residents and reduce or eliminate future detrimental climate change effects on the community that is within the capacity of local policies and actions.”

The Commission is also tasked with studying and analyzing issues and impacts of climate change and global warming—such as, storm surge, sea level rise, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, drought, deforestation and other weather related events—and it will develop strategies, policies and plans for mitigating and adaptation to impacts from climate change and global warming.

In addition, the Commission will disseminate information to Town residents concerning the impacts of climate change and global warming and the Town’s strategies, policies and plans for mitigation of these impacts.

To volunteer for the position, download and fill out the application and return it to the Town Clerk, Amy Weinreich at ARWeinreich@charlestownri.gov. You will have to write in “Climate Resiliency Commission” in the “other” box because this form has not yet been updated for the new commission. You can include a CV or resume with your application if you have one.

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Banner image is a photo by Jim Abbott of Buckeye Brook Road in the days following the Great Flood of 2010.