While Rhode Island did not experience the massive destruction and extended inconvenience that Hurricane Sandy brought to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, the Ocean State took more than a few shots to the chin.

The great effort to rebuild is under way, with both the strong will and great generosity of Rhode Islanders on full display. But something more needs to happen, too.

In a clear-sighted Op-Ed in last week’s edition of Providence Business News, Jonathan Stone, the executive director of Save The Bay, stated the obvious: With sea levels on the rise and storm intensity on the increase, the ocean will routinely push further inland.

The conversation needs to be had now, on both the national and local stages: How many resources should be spent on rebuilding a fragile coastline that may not be here within a generation or two? And what should that part of the coast that is rebuilt look like? •