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Local politicians and restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach gathered on the Asbury Park boardwalk Saturday to raise awareness about the impacts of extreme weather events on the area and to support President Barack Obama’s new climate change initiative.

The press conference was an organized stop on the “I Will Act On Climate” bus tour. The bus, supported by a coalition of local and national organizations, is in the midst of wrapping up a 27-state tour designed to increase the public’s awareness of what they can do to act on climate change. The bus tour and press conferences closely follow President Obama’s national climate change plan announced June 25.

On the boardwalk in front of Langosta Lounge, Mayor Myra Campbell, Red Bank Councilman and state Assembly candidate Edward Zipprich and Marilyn Schlossbach, owner of Langosta and several other shore-area restaurants, gathered to show their support of the president’s plan. They also reflected on the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy and the storm’s relevance to climate change.

“Obama’s plan helps communities like Asbury Park build our resilience to extreme weather,” said Campbell. “It also addresses the largest pollutant contributing to climate change: carbon dioxide from power plants. This type of action is what we need to ensure a sustainable future for our environment, for our families, and for our economy.”

Mayor Campbell spoke about the need to set higher regulations for emissions from “heavy vehicles” and industrial sites in order to protect future investments in the shore area. She also stressed the need to protect local businesses, referring to them as “the engines that run our cities” and to preserve the natural resource of the beachfront for generations to come.

“We’ve had two consecutive years of storms,” said Campbell. “Most people believe that is going to continue. We need to protect our environment for our children — this is going to be their beach.”

“No one here will ever forget Sandy,” said Schlossbach. “But, we also need to plan ahead.”

After Superstorm Sandy devastated many of the businesses on the Asbury Park boardwalk, Schlossbach looked to rebuild the bar and restaurant to make it more sustainable against future damage.

“Just as this restaurant planned for the future and took action, so too must we when it comes to climate change. I proudly stand in support of President Obama’s plan to address the root cause of climate change and temperature increases,” she said.

“As the average temperature increases because of climate change, events like Superstorm Sandy will sadly become more common,” said Zipprich. “We must embrace ways to help local communities deal with these problems and prevent future damage caused by extreme weather. The Obama solution is a common-sense plan to reduce carbon pollution.”

“Industrial carbon levels are at their highest in human history,” he said. “Science is clear – climate change is causing these events. This extreme weather is not normal.”

Zipprich said ways for citizens to get involved include their participation in local recycling programs. They can also lobby their local legislators and representatives in Washington to tell them to support the president’s plan.

[Photo above: Mayor Myra Campbell speaks out on the effects of extreme weather and the effects of climate change at a press conference held Saturday.

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