ASBURY PARK, NJ – A resident who lost his house during Superstorm Sandy, local officials who led their community’s recovery, and activists who know New Jersey is as vulnerable today as it was five years ago rallied at the Paramount Theatre on Sunday to demand immediate action on climate change.
The Superstorm Sandy event – Hands Across the Boards: 5 Years After Sandy – was organized by the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Education Fund to commemorate the lives, properties, and businesses lost, and to draw attention to ongoing recovery work and lack of preparedness for the next major storm. Because another late October storm threatened heavy rain and gusty winds on the anniversary of Sandy, the event was moved indoors, from the boardwalk.
“Five years ago, Superstorm Sandy slammed New Jersey with its intensity and destructiveness. We have a moral obligation to help its victims recover – and address climate change now to prevent future losses of life, property and business,” said Ed Potosnak, executive director of the Conservation Voters. “Reducing our carbon footprint will lessen our vulnerability to storms like Sandy, Harvey, and Marie.”
Leaders from a dozen of the state’s biggest environmental groups were joined by Sandy victim Joe Mangino, Rep. Frank Pallone, whose district includes a long swath of the Jersey coast, and representatives of Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Jennifer Beck and Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey. Asbury Park Mayor John Moor welcomed the audience.
“The work to rebuild after Sandy tested the character of our communities. I have been inspired by those who nearly lost everything, and have had the strength to move forward and to help others. We need to honor that commitment by addressing climate change and doing everything within our power to prevent a storm like Sandy,” said Pallone.
As Pallone noted, “The tragic consequences of inaction on climate change are currently on display in Puerto Rico, where the effects of Hurricane Maria have left many of our fellow citizens there without electricity and clean water. The U.S. has a responsibility to lead on this issue and I want to thank the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and so many New Jerseyans for their commitment to addressing climate change.”
The environmental leaders took turns at the mic describing how and why New Jersey is so vulnerable to coastal storms, what’s happening now to increase preparedness, and what the next administration must do to address climate change and help make New Jersey more resilient.
Mangino, who lost his home, business and a second job in Sandy, said: “According to a survey by New Jersey Organizing Project, 22 percent of Sandy families are not home five years later. Seventy percent reported new physical or mental health problems or worsening pre-existing conditions. Fifty-seven percent believe we are not better prepared for the next storm.”
Environmental partners for the event, in alphabetical order, were: American Littoral Society, ANJEC, Clean Ocean Action, Environmental Defense Action Fund, Food and Water Watch, Greenfaith, Sierra Club, Surfrider, Work Environment Council, and 350.org.