Vote to save the Jersey Shore

It would be a mistake to ignore the warning from the latest report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that in 20 years, unless there are huge cutbacks in carbon emissions, global warming will result in dire increases in weather-related catastrophes and coastal flooding. These will intensify every problem we have, from public health, to agricultural production and national security.

Locally, our unusually crisp Fall weather may temporarily distract us from global warming, but then we see the hardships resulting from this year’s wildfires in the West, and the devastating hurricanes and floods on our southern and eastern coasts. Closer to home, a retired NJ farmer recently told me that we really need to listen to climate scientists, as there is now a mismatch in timing between apples that are blooming two weeks earlier than normal and bees that emerge from hibernation at same time as in the past.

On the whole, members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation recognize that we need to seriously address global warming, not least in our case, to avoid a repeat of coastal flooding like that from Superstorm Sandy. Unfortunately, others, like Representative Tom MacArthur have not only failed to do so but act to make matters worse by supporting the Keystone XL pipeline and expanded domestic oil drilling. New Jersey cannot afford to have representatives who work at crosspurposes to their constituents on such a vital issue. Andy Kim recognizes the urgent need to check global warming and transition to renewable energy sources. He deserves our support in November.

— Philippa Solomon, Edison, NJ