{"id":8536,"date":"2024-07-19T14:50:24","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T18:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=8536"},"modified":"2024-08-22T15:46:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T19:46:47","slug":"24_0028","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/24_0028\/","title":{"rendered":"Murphy Administration Releases Groundbreaking Plan to Better Protect Health and Welfare of Residents from the Effects of Extreme Heat (24\/P028)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong>
\nJuly 19, 2024[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Contact: <\/strong>
\nLawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
\nCaryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
\nVincent Grassi (609) 984-1795<\/div>\n

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MURPHY ADMINISTRATION RELEASES GROUNDBREAKING PLAN TO BETTER PROTECT HEALTH AND WELFARE OF RESIDENTS FROM THE EFFECTS OF EXTREME HEAT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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(24\/P028) TRENTON<\/strong> \u2013 As New Jersey becomes progressively hotter, the Murphy Administration today released a groundbreaking plan that sets specific actions to be taken by agencies across state government to protect the health and welfare of residents from the impacts of extreme heat caused by a changing climate.The finalized Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan<\/a>, developed by the New Jersey Interagency Council on Climate Resilience, with significant public input, is only the third of its kind in the nation. The plan sets 136 specific actions to be implemented by individual agencies (or across multiple agencies) to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, one of the deadliest climate-related hazards facing New Jersey residents.\u201cIn just the last few weeks, we have seen the dangers of increasingly hotter days for longer periods of time,\u201d said Governor Phil Murphy<\/strong>. \u201cWe must continue to combat climate change while best preparing our residents with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves from extreme heat. The Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan lays out a critical roadmap that will help the State take the necessary steps to safeguard New Jerseyans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe facts are indisputable \u2013 New Jersey is among the fastest warming states and the impacts of extreme heat are becoming more profound, affecting the quality of life and health of our residents,\u201d said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.<\/strong> \u201cThrough the Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan, the Murphy Administration has established a clear set of goals and actions that will better protect New Jerseyans from the worsening impacts of climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Evidence Heats Up<\/strong><\/p>\n

The New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change<\/a> (2020) and the Human Health & Communities Addendum<\/a> (2022) demonstrate that New Jersey is warming at an accelerated pace compared to the Northeast region and globally, with the third-hottest summer recorded in 2022 and six of the hottest summers on record occurring in the last ten years. These reports also demonstrate clearly that extreme heat poses immediate and long-term health risks, compromises air quality, and strains food and water supplies.<\/p>\n

Moreover, as presented in the Scientific Report on Climate Change, the average annual temperature in New Jersey has increased by 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since the National Weather Service began record-keeping in 1895. Over the same period, the average annual temperature for the Northeast region has increased by 2 degrees Fahrenheit to 3 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

And, according to a recent report<\/a> by the nonprofit research organization Climate Central, New Jersey is the third fastest warming state in the nation \u2013 and the fastest warming state in the Northeast \u2013 due\u00a0 to a number of factors, including the urban heat island effect caused by having large expanses of paved areas and buildings.<\/p>\n

Just this summer, New Jersey has experienced multiple heat waves, characterized by three consecutive days with temperatures at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting public health alerts and the opening of cooling centers across New Jersey to safeguard the well-being of residents.<\/p>\n

An intense and unusually early heat wave hit the Northeast and New Jersey at the end of June. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the June 17-24 heat wave tied or broke many previous records, and temperatures over 100 degrees were recorded in various areas throughout the state. The Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist<\/a> also reports that this past June was the 7th consecutive month with temperatures above the 1991\u20132020 averages.<\/p>\n

Why is New Jersey So Vulnerable?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the primary reasons for New Jersey\u2019s disproportionate warming are land use patterns and development density that make for conditions that set up the urban heat-island effect.\u00a0 Heat islands are urbanized areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas. Structures, roads and pavement collect, absorb and re-emit the sun\u2019s heat more than natural landscapes, such as forests and water bodies, leading to warmer temperatures.<\/p>\n

Those living in more densely populated areas with less tree cover are considered especially vulnerable and considerably more likely to experience the worst and longest-lasting impacts of a heat wave.\u00a0 Other vulnerable populations include the elderly, people who work outdoors, low-income families who cannot afford air conditioning, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with pre-existing conditions or those taking medications that affect the body\u2019s ability to thermoregulate.<\/p>\n

Murphy Administration Takes Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Interagency Council on Climate Resilience was formed as part of Executive Order No. 89<\/a>\u00a0issued by Governor Murphy in 2019. Working under the direction of the Governor\u2019s Office and New Jersey\u2019s Chief Resilience Officer, the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience is tasked with developing short- and long-term action plans that will promote the mitigation, adaptation, and resilience of New Jersey\u2019s economy, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.<\/p>\n

In April, the state marked the start of Earth Week by releasing the council\u2019s draft Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan. Since then, the Council has collected valuable public feedback that resulted in modifications and the release today of the final plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe robust input we received during this process demonstrates just how important the issue of extreme heat is to our residents and many stakeholders,\u201d said Nick Angarone, New Jersey\u2019s Chief Resilience Officer<\/strong>. \u201cI am grateful for the commitment and hard work by all of the agencies on the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience as we developed this plan over the last year, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration as we move these measures into action.\u201d<\/p>\n

In releasing the draft Extreme Heat Resilience Action plan, the DEP also released an updated\u00a0Heat Hub NJ<\/a>, which provides the public with key information on extreme heat\u2019s impact on daily life and the environment, its adverse effects on human health and well-being, and guidance for protecting those particularly vulnerable to its effects.<\/p>\n

New to the Earth Day\u2019s Heat Hub NJ release are a series of videos outlining the physical and mental impacts of extreme heat and how best to protect yourself and your community; new information on the toll extreme heat has on mental functioning and resources to address those stresses; and Chill Out NJ, an interactive mapping feature to help New Jerseyans find public places to escape the heat. Heat Hub NJ also has a new focus section on identifying and dealing with extreme heat emergencies, or heat waves, dangerously high temperatures over a period of time which are projected to increase in frequency due to climate change.<\/p>\n

The Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan in Detail<\/strong><\/p>\n

Extreme heat poses immediate and long-term health risks, compromises air quality, strains food and water supplies, and depletes the longevity of infrastructure and the stability of habitats. State department and agency leaders have responded by developing agency-led initiatives, policies, and programs to address these challenges.<\/p>\n

The Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan is organized thematically into twenty focus areas and further organized to align with the priorities outlined in the foundational policy framework of New Jersey\u2019s Climate Change Resilience Strategy<\/a>. Action commitments address the activities completed, underway, or recommended in individual agencies, as well as efforts that cut across several state agencies.<\/p>\n

While addressing activities across the full range of the foundational policy priorities outlined in the Resilience Strategy, the plan heavily prioritizes building resilient and healthy communities and strengthening the resilience of New Jersey\u2019s ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Priority 1: Build Resilient and Healthy Communities<\/strong>\u00a0includes more than 80 actions organized into thirteen focus areas. A selection of agency-led extreme heat resilience efforts included in the Plan are listed below:<\/p>\n