Hoboken Makes Big Pledge To Battle Climate Change On Earth Day

HOBOKEN, NJ — In a moment of synchronicity, the City of Hoboken took a giant step towards fighting the effects of climate change on Earth Day 2019.

On Monday, Mayor Ravi Bhalla signed an executive order adopting Hoboken’s Climate Action Plan, which commits the city to “achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.” (Read the full order here)

During the signing, which took place at Black Rail Coffee, Bhalla outlined several steps Hoboken will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, as recommended by the Climate Action Plan.

The plan, which can be viewed in full by clicking here, calls for achieving “net zero” as a city by 2030 and “carbon neutrality” by 2050. It establishes goals for greenhouse gas emission reduction for government operations and as a city overall. Progress will be evaluated through benchmarks every five years.

Many of the city’s plans will result in cost savings to residents, Bhalla said. Action items already done include:

• Purchasing 100% renewable electricity for municipal facilities (went into effect April, 2019)
• Installing energy efficient upgrades in 11 municipal buildings, resulting in cost savings of over $100,000 per year
• Making the local HOP Bus service free of charge

Items on the city’s to-do list include:

• Introducing an affordable renewable energy purchasing program for homeowners to utilize wind and/or solar electricity
• Implementing electric vehicle charging stations across the City (Hoboken recently was awarded funding through the State for up to 14 EV charging stations)
• Creating Hoboken’s own community solar program, allowing low-moderate income residents to utilize solar energy from other parts of the State even if they can not install solar panels on their homes
• Replacing street and traffic lights with LED energy efficient lighting
• Phasing in hybrid and electric vehicles for municipal fleet

On Monday, Bhalla also reaffirmed Hoboken’s “commitment to exceeding the goals” of the Paris Climate Accord, a voluntary international agreement aimed at reducing global carbon emissions that some pundits – including Livingston High School hall of fame member and Fulbright Scholar Shiva Ayyadurai – have blasted for doing little to actually combat climate change.

• See related article: 'Inventor Of Email' Praises Trump's Withdrawal From Paris Accord

“Hoboken knows first-hand the devastation caused by storms like Superstorm Sandy, which will only become more frequent due to rising sea levels,” Bhalla said. “Now, more than ever, it is up to local governments to take the lead in combatting climate change. Our Climate Action Plan demonstrates that we are ready, willing and able to reduce emissions, minimize our carbon footprint, and take forward thinking steps to sustain coastal communities like Hoboken for future generations.”

Hoboken Councilman and Green Team member Jim Doyle also lent enthusiastic support for the city’s plans to combat climate change.

“The city’s Climate Action Plan, which its two-pronged emphasis on adaptation and mitigation, puts Hoboken at the forefront of what cities can do to combat climate change,” Doyle said. “Our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with an aggressive window through becoming a net zero city and achieving carbon neutrality is the progressive path forward toward achieving that goal.”

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said it’s critical for cities like Hoboken to lead when it comes to climate change, because they are on the front lines in the fight to combat the impact of storm surges and sea level rise.

“With this Climate Action Plan, Hoboken is one of the leaders on a national level to fight climate change,” Tittel said. “The city is not only mitigating climate impacts but protecting their beautiful parks fighting to create a waterfront greenway against special interests. They are also leading the state in banning single use plastics. We thank Mayor Bhalla and the City Council for adopting such a progressive Climate Action Plan and moving forward on a cleaner and greener city. They are model for other cities in New Jersey and across the country.”

• See related article: 20 Hoboken 'Green Businesses' Make Cut For 2018
• See related article: Here's Why These NJ High School Students Held A Climate Change Walkout

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