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The impact of climate change in New Jersey puts the future of safe, healthy communities in jeopardy. A report by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) highlights risks to our state, including:
Human health impacts – Rising temperatures will cause increased heat stress and accelerated secondary fine particle formation, which leads to public health problems. Rising temperatures could also contribute to the northward spread of insects carrying diseases such as West Nile virus, particularly in the winter season.
Devastating storms, flooding and economic impacts – Superstorm Sandy dramatically illustrated the impacts of the more frequent and intense storms that scientists predict will result from climate change.
Damage to natural ecosystems – Climate change will increase stresses on threatened and endangered species, impact water supplies and agriculture, and elevate the risk of fires, pests, disease pathogens and invasive species.
Continued rise in sea level – Rising seas threaten the majority of New Jersey’s coastline and shore communities.
