Climate Change

The PAYS Energy Efficiency Upgrade Program

By Jon Kalish • Aug 12, 2019
PAYS
cleanenergyworks.org

An innovative system to finance energy efficiency upgrades for renters and low-income people has been gaining traction around the country. The system, basically run by two men working out of their home offices in Vermont, is running in eight states.

Report: N.J. will have to spend $25 billion on coastal defenses

By Joe Hernandez • Jul 8, 2019

A new report predicts New Jersey will have to shell out billions of dollars by 2040 to protect coastal communities from sea level rise.

The report compiled by the Center for Climate Integrity found that the Garden State will have to spend $25 billion to construct sea walls in areas with public infrastructure that are in danger of chronic flooding.

The price tag for coastal defenses across the contiguous United States will be $400 billion, the group said.

Without protection, N.J.’s flood-prone back bay towns risk $1.5 billion damage annually

By Joe Hernandez • Mar 4, 2019

A new study predicts that back bay areas along New Jersey’s coastline could incur billions of dollars in property damage over 50 years if nothing is done to protect them.

The study, conducted by the Army Corp of Engineers with funding from the state Department of Environmental Protection, assessed the flood risk to back bay towns and suggested ways to bolster them against damage caused by future storms.

Officials calculated the value of property in New Jersey’s 84 back bay municipalities and projected how much storm damage could occur over the next half-century.

Climate Change Report Shows Increasing Risks in Northeast

By • Nov 27, 2018
GlobalChange.gov

The latest National Climate Assessment was recently released, a congressionally mandated review detailing the impacts of climate change in America.  Rutgers Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences director Robert Kopp says its fundamental message is to stabilize the climate by bringing greenhouse gas emissions down to zero, and then mitigate the impacts being experienced now.

NJ Lawmakers Hold Hearing On Climate Change

By Phil Gregory • Aug 10, 2017
Professor Anthony Broccoli testifies at legislative hearing in Lavallette

New Jersey lawmakers held a hearing in the shore community of Lavallette to examine the potential impact of climate change.

Professor Anthony Broccoli of the Rutgers Climate Institute says, depending on future carbon dioxide emissions that warm the ocean and melt ice sheets, sea level along the Jersey Shore is expected to rise 17 inches by 2050 and up to 41 inches by 2100. And studies indicate tropical storms intensity is likely to increase.

Coalition Urges Action To Fight Climate Change

By Phil Gregory • Jan 26, 2017
Coalition members outline their goals.
Phil Gregory

A coalition of more than 30 environmental, labor, and community organizations says climate change poses a massive threat to New Jersey and is urging the state to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase clean energy.

Dan Fatton is executive director of the Work Environment Council. He says the collation is a ray of hope in the Trump era.