To the Editor:
I’ve always been interested in the environment and nature. I considered studying environmental science in the early 1980s but ended up earning a Ph.D. in chemistry instead. Although I have taught environmental science college classes, my real contributions come as a citizen scientist and volunteer.
For many years I worked as a stream monitor for the Readington Township watershed, I went on two Earthwatch expeditions (including Climate Change at the Artic Edge, 2008), started a “Green Team” at church to reduce energy costs and practice good stewardship of the Earth, and have been reading IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) reports warning of a climate crisis since they began publication in the 1990s. With this personal history, I’m always bemoaned and befuddled when there is resistance to sensible action to mitigate climate change.
The author of the Review & Opinion piece (page A1, October 25) complains of “rushed” climate rules or REAL (Resilient Environments and Landscapes) being adopted by NJ DEP. I don’t think the policy is rushed but, in fact, way overdue. The guidelines are not just critical for coastal communities like ours but also for small towns and cities that also experience flooding as a consequence of our fossil fuel dependence.
Yes, the models extend to the year 2100 BUT the actions now will determine our future path. As stated on the last 2023 synthesis report from the IPPC, “There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all (very high confidence). Sea level rise is unavoidable for centuries to millennia due to continuing deep ocean warming and ice sheet melt, and sea levels will remain elevated for thousands of years (high confidence). … However, deep, rapid, and sustained GHG [Green House Gas] emissions reductions would limit further sea level rise acceleration and projected long-term sea level rise commitment.” (https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/ ).
If we just stay the course, the models show that we are destined to over 3.2° warming, with unimaginable consequences to health, fresh water availability, food production and infrastructure.
Go to the DEP website and read about the REAL policy yourself (https://dep.nj.gov/njreal/). The proposals are reasonable. They work to protect our investments and save $13 in rebuilding costs for every $1 spent to increase resiliency. Unlike the author purports, other actions to mitigate climate change like increasing wind and solar production would increase energy supply and decrease costs.
As the Oct. 25 Op Ed author states, we are about to get a new chief executive. Exactly, the stakes are high, and time on a climate scale is extremely short. If we start making changes now, we can prepare ourselves and our children for the compromised future we’ve already made. We can limit the damage, however, with decisive action NOW.
Molly Crowther
Cape May Court House
