Rep. Giannino hosts successful Climate Workshop at City Hall

By Barbara Taormina

State Rep. Jessica Giannino led a public climate change workshop sponsored by the Metropolitan Beaches Commission and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay this week. Giannino, who serves on the Commission, said she was glad to hold a workshop in Revere in order to better understand what matters most to residents.

“Revere is a barrier beach which is incredibly important to our ecosystem,” said Giannino, adding that it’s important for residents to help shape the future of the beach while it undergoes changes related to climate.

“Revere Beach is one of the region’s top resources, “said Mayor Patrick Keefe. “We’re grateful to have Rep. Giannino at the state level protecting that resource.”

Chris Mancini of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay said much work has been done to clean local beaches and water and to connect communities to these natural resources. “Change is coming,” said Mancini. “It’s inevitable.”

To plan for the change, the Commission and Save the Harbor are holding workshops in different coastal communities to best understand how residents feel about local beaches and what they believe needs to be done to ensure the resources are there for generations to come. To that end, Giannino and Mancini had residents at the meeting break into small groups and define a perfect day at the beach and also to prioritize what steps need to be taken to protect the beach.

Many of the responses reflected the fact that residents like the beach as it is, but they are concerned about erosion, particularly in Ward 5, where tides continue to rise and threaten homes on the beach. “We need to fast pace everything,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya. “The water doesn’t wait for us. We need help.”

Some residents suggested planting shrubs and grass to grow and strengthen protective dunes, while others thought a seawall would be the best protection. Residents also felt it is important to preserve the history of the beach with signs and placards. Additional programming, such as kayaking and rowing, are also features residents wanted to see at the beach.

But coastal resiliency was the priority everyone agreed on.

Mancini told residents there are ready efforts underway, and he noted Councillor-at-Large Juan Pablo Jarmillo’s recent move to launch a city climate change committee. Mancini also said work to strengthen coastal resiliency to climate includes construction of berms, planting of dunes and seawall planning.

“The Revere coast is changing, and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission and Save the Harbor want to know how you envision the future of our beaches. This workshop was an opportunity for the community to share what you value about the beach, ocean, and coastline and to help inform future planning and recommendations for improving climate resiliency and adapting to climate change on our coast,” stated Giannino. “Using the RAD (Resist, Accept, Direct) framework developed by the National Park Service, we workshopped in small groups to determine what the residents and visitors to the Revere Waterfront value most about these resources, as well as hearing about existing climate resiliency efforts currently underway.”

“On behalf of my colleagues at the State including our MBC Co-Chairs Senator Brendan Crighton and Rep. Adrian Madaro, I am thankful for the MBC and the opportunity to host a climate workshop in Revere,” said Rep. Giannino “Revere Beach is a barrier beach which makes it so critical to protect and mention when we talk about climate change and sea level rise in this region. This meeting was a great opportunity to continue the conversation about climate resiliency efforts in Revere.”

Following this workshop, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will hold additional workshops in Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull and share outcomes and initial recommendations in the summer.

For more information about the MBC or the workshops, please contact Save the Harbor’s Policy Coordinator by email to zwyer@savetheharbor.org or by cell at 718-825-8136.