Highest CO2 Levels in Human History Urgent Call to Action
(TRENTON) — Assemblyman John F. McKeon and the New Jersey Sierra Club announced that the highest reported carbon dioxide levels in human history are an urgent call to action and encouraged public participation in Wednesday’s Town Hall on ‘Climate Change in N.J. — Impact & Solutions.’
The Town Hall is scheduled Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. at Seton Hall University, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange in the university’s Jubilee Hall.
“Climate change is real and threatens our survival, our livelihood and quality of life. It is caused by an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere that are currently being reported to have reached a concentration not seen on earth for more than three million years. The last time carbon dioxide reached daily levels of 400 parts per million (ppm), humans didn’t exist. This is an urgent call for action,” McKeon (D-Essex\Morris) said.
“Scientists say that global warming is a major factor in the severe weather conditions that we have been experiencing. The unprecedented storms and hurricanes that have ravaged New Jersey in the past year-and-a-half including Sandy, as well as the historic highs in sea levels, underscore the urgency of protecting the environment. We must accelerate our fight against climate change to preserve the natural world that we cherish and protect the earth’s atmosphere from further degradation,” McKeon added.
“Instead of trying to deny that climate change is esoteric or not connected to Sandy, we need to get out front and lead. We need to work to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants to help protect us long-term. But more importantly, we need to adapt to the future that is in front of us by rebuilding in a smarter, better way that includes regional planning, green buildings, open space preservation, and renewable energy. Otherwise, we will end up protecting the Highlands as a national seashore,” said Jeff Tittel, Director, Sierra Club NJ Chapter.
At the June 5 Town Hall, an eminent panel of experts will examine the causes and consequences of climate change as well as explore solutions. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in this important discussion. The Town Hall will be moderated by McKeon.
Listed in alphabetical order, the panelists include:
- Kenny Essar, Sr. Associate, Gable Associates;
- Professor Paul Falkowski, Ph.D., Founding Director, Rutgers Energy Institute & Bennett L. Smith Chair in Business and Natural Resources at Rutgers;
- Michael A. Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science & Interim Director, Environmental Studies Program, Seton Hall University; and
- Jeff Tittel, Director, NJ Sierra Club.
Members of the public are encouraged to register in advance for the Wednesday town hall here.