| Under this new law, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection will develop a pollution monitoring and reporting program by January 2009, a plan to achieve the 2020 limit by no later than June 2008, and a plan to achieve the 2050 limit no later than June 2010. This is a realistic timeline for a pressing issue. And together, we will roll back greenhouse gas levels to 1990 - a time when the name "George Bush" was actually popular.
This new law will spur real solutions to help cut pollution levels and reduce our state's energy consumption. On the innovation front, we'll also move more towards clean, renewable sources of energy - specifically in fields of transportation and electricity production. These two sectors are the largest sources of global warming pollution in the state.
I've been so encouraged by the overwhelming support for the passage of this bill - from constituents, businesses and community groups throughout my district and all across the state. The tremendous support I have received from my colleagues in the legislature echoes the same sentiments they are receiving everyday - namely that New Jersey can no longer afford to wait. We must take action now.
Here in New Jersey, we are particularly vulnerable to the serious impacts of global warming. Scorching summers with health-threatening temperatures, rising sea-levels, salt-water incursion to our drinking water, shoreline change, severe flooding, air pollution, pest infestation, species decline and challenges to critical public infrastructure could irrevocably alter our state and harm our future.
If we fail to reduce our energy needs and continue to burn fossil fuels at our current rate, greenhouse gases levels will rise to catastrophic levels and have devastating effects on our environment. Without decisive action to cut pollution levels now, global warming is expected to affect every corner of our state in the next century. For example, should the ice caps continue to melt at such a precipitous pace, can you imagine the irrevocable tragedy of watching our world-famous Jersey Shore simply slip away under the tide? This summer, I am going to become a grandmother. And I want to make sure that the New Jersey I grew up in is still here for future generations to enjoy in all its glory.
Global warming is not just an inconvenient truth. It is a grave threat to our environment, our wallets and our way of life. It is a serious threat to our future. We need strong action now to address this escalating problem. We can not afford to simply stick out heads in the sand like ostriches and ignore violent climate change and dangerously rising sea levels.
We need to follow the advice of leading scientists... and not the campaign contributions of special interests. I am confident that our success here will serve as a valuable example for others states and this nation to follow.
You don't have to work in government or be a political celebrity to take action against global warming. This is a cause in which we can all lead the way in our own ways. Simple steps such as fully loading the dishwasher, replacing your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescents or unplugging your computer when not in use can go a long way towards conserving energy. You'll even save some money at the same time! There really are so many things we can do right now in our own lives to start halting climate change. I have some other easy ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions posted at my new website, as well. I know we can count on the Blue Jersey community's support in the fight against global warming.
As Vice-President Gore said, it really is the states that are leading the way in fighting back against global warming. So I couldn't help but having a smile spread across my face the other day when Al Gore proclaimed that he will now be sure to include our work here in New Jersey as he travels the globe giving his slide show on the challenges of climate change. |
