World Oceans Day Celebrated in Asbury Park
Pallone rallies environmental leaders to underscore harm of Paris Accord Withdrawal
One week before the world unites in protection of our oceans, President Donald Trump announced he would withdraw the United State’s commitment to the Paris Climate Accord.
“It put our country at a very, very big disadvantage,” Trump said in his announcement.
But, 25 companies including Microsoft Apple, Google, and Intel purchased a full page ad in The New York Times and other national publications as a last ditch effort to change the Trump’s mind, arguing ‘the agreement generates jobs and economic growth.’
The move sparked a local, national and global reaction that underlined the importance of staying on course despite the leader of the free world’s decision.
On Friday, Representative Frank Pallone Jr [D-NJ] rallied.
Pallone, with over 30 years at the center of environmental protection issues, gathered state and local leaders to punctuate the harms of the decision to withdraw on the Asbury Park boardwalk. They included Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club, Ed Potosnak of NJ LCV, Tim Dillingham of the American Littoral Society, Richard Lawton of NJ Sustainable Business Council, and Doug O’Malley of Environment New Jersey
“A report released by NOAA and the nonprofit Climate Central earlier this year described a climate change nightmare scenario for New Jersey,” Pallone said. “Rising sea levels could envelop Sea Bright and the other barrier islands. According to that analysis, downtown Brick, much of Keansburg, and the Convention Hall behind me would be overtaken by the sea as well.”
The voluntary accord brought together nearly 200 nations who pledged to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in order to keep the world’s mean temperature from rising by more than 2 degrees celsius, the temperature which scientist believe would lead to catastrophic results like rising sea levels and the more frequent extreme weather events.
“New Jerseyans understand that when we defend our environment we are also protecting our safety, public health, and economy,” Pallone said. “Those who witnessed the destruction of Sandy saw first-hand the impacts of climate change already happening. Abandoning the Paris Agreement jeopardizes our economic future and endangers New Jersey communities.”
Asbury Park Mayor John Moor said he stands against the president’s decision and will introduce legislation that supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at the very next city Council meeting.
This week the city punctuates the importance of climate change awareness by hosting series of events. They include:
A screening of shorts Ocean Frontiers III and A vision of Our Ocean at The Showroom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the American Littoral Society, the films are followed by a panel discussion and Q&A featuring Jon Weber, Councilman from Bradley Beach and former head of the Surfrider Foundation; Capt. Brian Rice, owner of the Jersey Devil Sportfishing; and Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society.
On Thursday the American Littoral Society partners with local restaurateur Marilyn Schlossbach in hosting Beach Party for Big Blue.
The 5 to 9 p.m. event is a family-friendly gathering that features a buffet-style dinner by Langosta Lounge and Pop’s Garage, with a free children’s menu from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., courtesy of the American Littoral Society; a bonfire on the beach and live music at 8:00 p.m.; silent disco and a kid’s dance competition; and sand art and trivia games.
The event is a collaboration between the Asbury Park Yacht Club, the NJ Sea Grant, the Stevens Institute, Greenfire Productions, Clean Ocean Action, Jenkinson’s Aquarium and Surfrider Foundation, children and adults alike can indulge in a variety of activities, food, and drinks, with the ocean just a few steps away.
And from Friday’s impromptu event here is what some of the environmental leaders had to say:
“By withdrawing from the agreement to reduce the toxic emissions that are causing the Earth to warm, President Trump has made the U.S. and outlier like Syria, the other nation opposed to the Paris Accord,” Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of the NJ League of Conservation Voters said. “The president’s colossal mistake makes it more important than ever to ensure the New Jersey has a governor and a legislature committed to establishing a clean energy future by creating green jobs and transitioning to clean energy economy.”
“The Administration’s decision exacerbates a growing risk that insurance companies are well aware of, and that corporate boards have a fiduciary responsibility to manage,” Richard Lawton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Council said. “The increasing scope and magnitude of climate related disasters represent growing risks to both individual businesses and entire supply chains – risks that can’t be contained by a wall or avoided by clinging to the past.”
“Trump’s understanding and action against the Paris Climate Accord are unlearned and appalling,” Cindy Zipf Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action said . “His actions make a mockery of the USA as a credible and sensible leader for a livable world. His shift to burning evermore fossil fuels will doom the planet to further degradation from climate change. We urge all in the US to reject Trump’s withdrawal and comply with the Agreement.”
“President Trump has got it exactly backwards: there’s no sound economy in our future without a healthy planet. The White House is choosing to ignore the reality of climate change and the destruction it will wreak on places like the Jersey Shore,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “If President Trump won’t stick by the U.S. commitment to tackle carbon emissions, then our states, cities and businesses must do so. We will need our next governor to make New Jersey a climate leader again, and shake off the legacy of the Christie Administration’s failure by standing up to these Trump climate rollbacks.”
“Trump’s action will undermine efforts to protect marine life, coastal communities and beach dependent local economies from the devastating impacts of climate change. These are essential parts of our lives along the coast, all of which are endangered by the President’s decision” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society.
According to the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance at Rutgers “A changing climate and rising sea levels will have a devastating impact on New Jersey’s economy, the health of our residents, the State’s natural resources, and the extensive infrastructure system that delivers transportation services, energy and clean water to millions of New Jerseyans.”
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