As we look around the world today, it’s hard for normal citizens to make some serious change in their nation. The amount of power they have would take years and years to be put to good use in combating climate change. However, elected officials, at least in the United States, have the most power and are able to create the biggest changes. Senators, representatives, governors, mayors: these are the people that can snap their fingers (in a sense) and make the biggest changes in our environment. Climate change has to be taken seriously first, and the decisions of lawmakers should include a huge focus on environmental factors.
In the past year, some officials have made statements and plans for their respective states that should combat climate change. Just this week, New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy, a Democrat, released a statement claiming that beginning in January 2022, New Jersey will “require that builders take into account the impact of climate change, including rising sea levels, in order to win government approval for projects.” Murphy claims that he knows the dangers that are upon us, and specifically ocean-sided states such as New Jersey.
A study released by Rutgers in November found that the sea level in New Jersey is rising more than two times faster than the average across the rest of the globe. Over the past century, the sea level rose by 1.5 feet in New Jersey, while the global average is only 0.6 feet. As someone who vacations in South Jersey during the summer, I know that the coastal areas are having trouble with water. The coast seems to almost be sinking, as only a small rainstorm causes minor flooding and the ocean rips away the sandy beaches.
The statement from the New Jersey governor has produced mixed responses. Many critique its implications on businesses and the economy in New Jersey as they compete with bordering states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. On the other hand, others agree that the climate change epidemic is to a point where it must be accounted for most decisions lawmakers are attacking.
New Jersey is not the first state that has made statements regarding their environmental actions. Back in June 2019, New York lawmakers agreed to pass a climate plan that calls for the state to eliminate all its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. California has also been attempting to campaign environmentally friendly actions, as it has become a beacon for the entire nation’s climate change policies, specifically against President Trump’s actions.
Yet, are these states putting their plans into action too late? By 2050, will there even be a New York or New Jersey coastline to talk about? In my opinion, power has to be used drastically and soon to combat the problem before it becomes too late, but as I said, there is only so much normal citizens can do. Yet, we still have to try.
Coleman's blog 