We often hear about wildfires and droughts in the Southwest and Western U.S.—places like California, Arizona, and Texas. But now, New Jersey is facing its own drought crisis, and the risk of severe wildfires is growing. This is what climate change looks like: unusual, extreme weather that endangers our homes, businesses, and communities if we’re not prepared. Unless we take action, these threats will only intensify. Last month, Governor Murphy and the New Jersey DEP issued a statewide Drought Watch, urging all residents and businesses to voluntarily conserve water. Over the past four months, New Jersey has experienced significantly below-average rainfall, resulting in diminished streamflow, reservoir, and groundwater levels.
Resilience in Action: NJPACT REAL Rules Released to Protect New Jersey from Climate Threats
After last week’s relentless downpours from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, which brought high winds and widespread street flooding, the formal release of the NJ REAL (Resilient Environments and Landscapes) Rules couldn’t have come at a better time. Directed by Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 100 in January 2020 as part of the New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) initiative, these rules are a game-changer for the state. The NJ REAL Rules were officially published by the New Jersey DEP on August 5th, more than two years after their original target release date. REAL is a package of crucial revisions to key state regulations designed to make New Jersey more resilient to the devastating impacts of climate change. These revisions will update the state's outdated land use, stormwater management, and wetlands regulations to reflect New Jersey's new reality: warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, and stronger, more frequent downpours.
Access Nature Goes Statewide!
The Pineland Preservation Alliance (PPA), the New Jersey Division of Disability Services of the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DDS), the Edward J. Bloustein School, and Duke Farms have come together to lead a statewide effort to make recreating in nature a part of the lives of everyone in our state regardless of disability. The inspiration for this came from The Pinelands is for Everyone project, which has evolved into the new statewide Nature: Accessible for All initiative that brings in new activists and partners to the cause. PPA received critical funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to facilitate this campaign.
Telling the Story of the Delaware River Watershed
As graduate students deeply passionate about social change and storytelling, Sophie Beck and Olivia Bickel are thrilled to contribute to the "Telling the Story of the Delaware River Watershed" project. Their goal is to capture and share the inspiring narratives of water activists who are driving positive change within the watershed community. Through a series of short videos, Sophie and Olivia aim to amplify the voices of individuals and communities actively engaged in protecting and restoring the Delaware River and its surrounding areas. By highlighting the personal stories, struggles, and triumphs of these dedicated activists, they seek to shed light on their motivations, challenges, and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.
The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides
The American Sustainable Business Network recently released The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides. This resource connects agricultural chemical inputs, like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, with harm to soil health and the business solutions that exist to avoid dangerous chemicals like those currently negatively impacting waterways across the country.
Reconnecting Rivers in New Jersey
Mapping New Jersey’s Water Infrastructure Inequities
From flooding near rivers, rising sea levels, and the presence of lead and other contaminants in drinking water, communities across the Delaware River Watershed face many water-related risks. Depending on where they live, these issues impact community members differently. The New Jersey Water Risk and Equity Map contains information to help residents, advocates, and policymakers understand water-related risks in their communities and address inequities.
State Revolving Fund Investments in the Delaware River Watershed: A Look Back at 2023
In the Delaware Basin, climate change is causing increased precipitation and increased temperatures, demanding more from our already outdated water infrastructure. The recent federal investments in the water sector present an opportunity to upgrade systems in a way that increases resiliency to climate change for the rivers and communities most affected.