Sea Level Rise, Community Engagement, and New Jersey's Environmental Future with Janine Barr

Janine Barr, a researcher at the Bloustein School's Environmental Analysis and Communication (EAC) Group, joins Dean Stuart Shapiro this week on EJB Talks to discuss the center's work on climate change impacts. A self-proclaimed Jersey girl, Janine traces her path to environmental policy back to an internship with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. The internship not only drew her toward environmental policy, but specifically toward issues affecting her home state. She describes how the EAC Group brings together the branches of policy, planning, and public health to integrate community needs into local, regional, and state planning initiatives, supported by robust stakeholder engagement and data analysis. Janine also speaks to her involvement with the New Jersey Sea Level Rise and Coastal Storms Science and Technology Advisory Panel (STAP) Report, a major effort to equip decision-makers with updated science on sea level rise and coastal storms. The report projects sea level rise of 1.8 to 4.3 feet by 2100 depending on emissions scenarios. She closes by stressing the importance of clear, ongoing communication with the public, so communities can meaningfully engage with questions of risk tolerance and long-term planning needs.Links mentioned in today's podcast:New Jersey Climate Change Resource Centers Science and Technology Advisory Panel (STAP) Report websiteSTAP Report Summary and FAQ document (PDF, short)Full STAP Report (PDF)NJ REAL Rules