MONTCLAIR, NJ — An unusual funeral procession recently took place in Essex County, with dozens of people taking to the streets to demand "climate justice."
GreenFaith and their partners held a protest in Montclair last week to mourn for the victims and survivors of extreme weather disasters in New Jersey.
Dressed in long gowns, activists sang hymns and hoisted "tombstones" bearing the death tolls and destruction totals from local weather disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and the Jones Road wildfire.
Activists walked from Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair along Bloomfield Avenue to the intersection of Church Street and South Fullerton Avenue, ending the march with a gathering at St Luke's Episcopal Church.
Advocates pushed for passage of the Polluters Pay to Make NJ Affordable Act, a proposed state law would penalize companies that have engaged in the trade or business of extracting fossil fuel or refining crude oil since 1995, and have contributed to greenhouse gas emissions.
The legislation would generate $2.5 billion annually from an estimated 82 fossil fuel corporations, raising $50 billion over two decades. The money would be earmarked for flood protection, stormwater and sewage system upgrades, extreme weather preparation, health care related to climate change, and upgrades to the electrical grid and energy-efficiency projects, among other uses.
The proposed law has also seen eager support from environmental activists, who argue that it's a fair way to make wealthy corporations pick up costs New Jersey residents are already paying through rising property taxes, utility bills and insurance premiums.
"All faith traditions, and indeed all people of conscience, agree that if you cause harm, you are responsible for repairing the damage," asserted Tracey Stephens, an organizer with GreenFaith NJ.
On the flip side of the coin, pro-business groups and some lawmakers have stiffly panned the bill, arguing that it is unconstitutional and will end up passing the cost along to consumers.
"Make no mistake, the Democrats 'Superfund' policy – supposedly to punish the evil oil companies for providing a product we all demand – would result in a massive, $2.5 billion yearly increase in energy costs on New Jersey residents," Sen. Declan O'Scanlon argued at a recent legislative hearing.
The proposed law moved forward in the Statehouse earlier this year, but didn't see a vote before Gov. Mikie Sherrill and lawmakers reached a deal on their new budget.
Advocates are calling for full floor votes on the bill this fall.
In Essex County – the site of last week's symbolic "funeral" – the Polluters Pay Act has won support from several local lawmakers, who have signed on as co-sponsors. Meanwhile, the Essex County Commissioner Board and towns of Livingston, Millburn, Montclair, Maplewood and South Orange have passed resolutions in its favor.
Other pundits have been less enthusiastic.
The proposed law has seen vocal criticism from pro-business groups like the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), which has warned about "dire" impacts on affordability, jobs and the state's business climate.
The group pointed out that a similar "Climate Superfund" law in New York has been waylaid by the courts, which have ruled it to be unconstitutional.
In an op-ed published by the USA Today/Gannett NJ Network, NJBIA Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer Ray Cantor blasted the proposal as "one of the most anti-business bills in state history."
"While supporters offer this bill as a free, $50 billion lunch to feed the state coffers, the facts are it would undeniably add to the gas and energy costs of all New Jersey residents and ratepayers during our energy affordability crisis," Cantor said.
Criticism from pro-business groups hasn't swayed environmental advocates, community leaders and clergy members, who continue to push for the bill.
Attendees at last week's protest in Montclair highlighted Essex County's vulnerability to flooding and extreme heat – and the mounting financial toll of climate disasters on local families, businesses and taxpayers.
It's not only money at risk, they say.
"This summer has been one of the deadliest in our state's history," said Matt Smith, the New Jersey state director of Food and Water Watch.
"The New Jersey Department of Health estimates that 29 people died and more than 1,200 people were treated in hospital emergency departments because of extreme heat this summer," Smith said. "More than 125 water rescues were reported statewide with more innocent lives lost during extreme flash floods across the state."
"Meanwhile, Big Oil billionaires raked in record-breaking profits," Smith added.
The Rev. Charles Loflin of Unitarian Universalist Faith Action NJ said that protesters are calling for a "commitment to transformative change."
"We can sometimes feel overwhelmed and powerless, but the antidote to despair is found in our commitment to inclusivity, compassion and justice, and through building the resilient and caring communities we need in this moment," Loflin said.
"Our climate procession was a small part of a larger narrative we are weaving together to tell the story of our collective turn toward a just and loving world," Loflin added.
Prior to last week's lamentation march, activists and several elected officials met for a forum at First Congregational Church in support of the Polluters Pay Act. The event included participation from New Jersey senators Britnee Timberlake and John McKeon, New Jersey Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, and Jersey City Mayor James Solomon.
Sponsors of the march and forum included St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Union Congregational Church Montclair, Unitarian Universalist Faith Action NJ, Central Atlantic Conference of the United Church of Christ, NJ Association UCC Social Justice & Witness Task Force, Operation Grow, NJ Climate Week, GreenFaith, Food and Water Watch NJ, and Clean Water Action.
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