COLLOQUIUM: Efforts in New Jersey to Prepare for a Changing Climate

As a densely populated, highly urbanized coastal state, New Jersey is especially vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate. An innovative network of organizations, facilitated by Rutgers University, has been spearheading efforts to build capacity at the state, local and community levels to prepare for and adapt to the conditions of a changing climate in the Garden State. Through communications and community engagement, development of public policy recommendations, creation of new tools for decision-makers and the business community, the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance is working to create support for and increase capacity to increase climate change resilience at the state, local and community levels. For Earth Day 2015, an overview of the work of the New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance will be presented along with an outline of challenges and opportunities faced in New Jersey to enhance resilience efforts. Topics including innovative approaches to promoting informed public policy based on science, forming coalitions to promote greater public awareness of and support for climate change policy and action will be discussed. An outline of available tools and resources will be presented.