EP: 131 - How Climate Policy Actually Gets Implemented in Rhode Island
Thu Jan 22 2026
In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons sit down with Rhode Island State Senator Alana DiMario (District 36) to discuss how environmental policy is shaped, implemented, and funded at the state level.
Senator DiMario shares her journey from mental health counselor to legislator and explains why climate change, coastal resiliency, and waste reduction are urgent priorities for her coastal district, including Narragansett, North Kingstown, and Block Island.
The conversation covers what happens after a bill passes, the importance of follow-through, and how state agencies, municipalities, and the public all play a role in turning environmental legislation into real-world action.
Topics covered include:
Rhode Island’s part-time legislature and environmental policymaking
Climate change impacts on coastal communities
Greenhouse gas reduction under the Act on Climate
Textile recycling and landfill diversion efforts
The role of education, data, and agency coordination
Funding challenges and creative solutions for climate initiatives
How residents can get involved in environmental advocacy
More
In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons sit down with Rhode Island State Senator Alana DiMario (District 36) to discuss how environmental policy is shaped, implemented, and funded at the state level. Senator DiMario shares her journey from mental health counselor to legislator and explains why climate change, coastal resiliency, and waste reduction are urgent priorities for her coastal district, including Narragansett, North Kingstown, and Block Island. The conversation covers what happens after a bill passes, the importance of follow-through, and how state agencies, municipalities, and the public all play a role in turning environmental legislation into real-world action. Topics covered include: Rhode Island’s part-time legislature and environmental policymaking Climate change impacts on coastal communities Greenhouse gas reduction under the Act on Climate Textile recycling and landfill diversion efforts The role of education, data, and agency coordination Funding challenges and creative solutions for climate initiatives How residents can get involved in environmental advocacy