The Murphy Administration has released a comprehensive plan to address the health and welfare of New Jersey residents in response to increasing extreme heat due to climate change. The Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan, developed by the New Jersey Interagency Council on Climate Resilience with public input, outlines 136 specific actions for state agencies. This plan is one of only three such initiatives in the United States.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and preparing residents for extreme heat: “We must continue to combat climate change while best preparing our residents with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves from extreme heat.”
Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette highlighted New Jersey's rapid warming: “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.”
Scientific reports confirm that New Jersey is warming faster than both the Northeast region and globally. The state experienced its third-hottest summer in 2022, with six of the hottest summers occurring in the last decade. The average annual temperature in New Jersey has increased by 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1895.
Factors contributing to this rapid warming include urban heat islands created by extensive paved areas and buildings. Vulnerable populations include those living in densely populated areas with less tree cover, elderly individuals, outdoor workers, low-income families without air conditioning, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with pre-existing conditions.
The Interagency Council on Climate Resilience was established under Executive Order No. 89 issued by Governor Murphy in 2019. The council's role includes developing action plans for mitigating climate change impacts on New Jersey’s economy, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Nick Angarone, New Jersey’s Chief Resilience Officer, acknowledged public engagement: “The robust input we received during this process demonstrates just how important the issue of extreme heat is to our residents and many stakeholders.”
The updated Heat Hub NJ provides information on extreme heat's impact on daily life and offers guidance for protecting vulnerable populations. It includes videos on physical and mental impacts of extreme heat and an interactive mapping feature called Chill Out NJ.
The Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan focuses on building resilient communities and strengthening ecosystems through various agency-led initiatives:
- Emergency Preparedness: Encourage county-level planning focused on seniors.
- Cooling Centers: Expand local cooling sites network.
- Housing: Study air conditioning access.
- Urban Tree Canopy: Increase tree canopy in urban areas.
- Worker Safety: Develop workplace heat illness prevention guidelines.
- Energy Infrastructure: Assess grid reliability during extreme heat events.
- Transportation: Improve bus shelter design.
- Urban Heat Islands: Launch projects addressing urban heat islands.
Additionally, legislative recommendations include expanding cooling center networks and developing worker safety standards related to heat exposure.
Further priorities include promoting coordinated governance, increasing public understanding through information dissemination, and fostering climate-informed investments.
