Climate Conversations Interviews
The enormity of the climate change issue can leave people feeling overwhelmed. What difference can one small group of residents or one small town make towards ensuring a more sustainable and resilient planet?
Climate Conversations believes that finding solutions to big problems can begin with each person and town doing what they can manage to make the world a better place. Celebrating our small victories towards sustainability here in North Kingstown can inspire progress on the larger issues we need to tackle to protect our Town’s environment and way of life.
Interviews with North Kingstown residents, July 2024 at the North Kingstown Free Library.
Climate Conversations approached a few North Kingstown residents and asked them to share their stories about climate impacts. Some of these stories describe progress towards sustainability that all North Kingstown can celebrate. They also shared their ideas about how the small things we all can do to ensure that this progress continues.
Interviews
With NK Residents
Interview with Randy Wietman on September 15, 2025 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park on Boston Neck Road in Wickford.
Randy shared his passion for getting things done. Planting trees around North Kingstown, renovating Veteran’s Memorial Park (the site of Wickford Junction rail line) and initiating the Quonset Hope Solar Canopy Project which will be largest solar canopy installation in the nation, are just three examples of success that resulted from people working together. When individuals and organizations commit to doing their part, things get done.
Interview
With Randy Wietman
Interview with Teresa Crean on October 2025 at the North Kingstown Town Beach.
Teresa is a long-time North Kingstown resident who has been a leader in advancing municipal planning to address issues of climate resilience. She currently serves as the Director of Resilience and Sustainability for the City of Newport, and was the kick-off speaker for the 2024 Climate Conversations lecture series. Teresa described the Town’s efforts to incorporate planning for resilience in the Town’s comprehensive plan, hazard mitigation plan, and honoring the Resilient Rhody State Plan. These plans enable the Town to leverage funds for projects, such as the Wickford Waterfront Project. Teresa gives residents a short list of recommendations to make their homes more sustainable and resilient to climate impacts. For small businesses, Teresa promotes using the State’s guidebooks to assist business owners in reducing their risks. For individuals interested in getting involved in these issues, Teresa emphasizes the value of volunteering for the Town’s Boards and Commissions, staying informed and using resources like Storm Tools that the Town makes available to its residents.
