Between 2011-2024, New Jersey experienced 14 climate disasters, leaving each of the state’s 21 counties with at least five disaster declarations. New Jersey communities are feeling the effects of hurricanes, extreme rainfall, heat, and drought. These weather events have cost U.S. taxpayers more than $7.9 billion dollars, ranking NJ fifth in the U.S. for per capita spending on climate disasters, and leaving middle class New Jerseyans at more risk than ever to the economic impacts of climate change. Despite the damage and increasing expenses, New Jersey has no dedicated funding to build the infrastructure needed to prepare every community for a future of more extreme weather.
To ensure a livable future, it is crucial that the State of New Jersey secures sustainable, long-term funding for climate adaptation infrastructure. Residents are demanding proactive, comprehensive climate adaptation strategies that would ensure that the next storm will not lead to increased destruction.
Though many municipalities have planning efforts underway to address these issues, there are not yet solid funding sources to support these projects. A dedicated state-level funding source could solve this.
#1 We Can Develop a Statewide Ballot Measure
Voters around the country have overwhelmingly supported funding infrastructure measures that address resilience and other climate-related investments. A campaign to pass a Resilient Infrastructure Bond would create a public conversation with voters about prioritizing flood infrastructure while galvanizing the support needed to justify this type of infrastructure spending.
#2 We Can Leverage Insurance to Buy Down Our Risk
Rebuild by Design modeled a modest 2% surcharge on certain lines of property and casualty insurance — excluding workers’ compensation and medical malpractice — and found that, in New Jersey, the surcharge could support $9.1 billion in climate infrastructure investments over 10 years.
As sea levels rise and storms intensify, New Jersey faces mounting risks to its homes, communities, and economy. It is estimated that nearly 1.3 million New Jerseyans live in high flood risk Parcels with at least 50% of land area overlapping both the current and projected 100-year floodplain. This analysis focuses on coastal and fluvial flooding. areas; half of those people are lower income Based on HUD’s 2024 definition for New Jersey ($97,800 for a 4-person household). residents who may lack the resources to move out of harm’s way. By 2050, nearly 1 in 6 parcels Defined as the smallest unit of land with a unique boundary used for property tax assessment and mapping. Parcels include both privately owned and publicly owned properties, as recorded in the state’s tax system. statewide will be exposed to high flood risk, threatening $435.9 billion in (today’s) property value and $5.9 billion in annual property tax revenue.
The findings reveal how flood exposure intersects with economic inequality and the risk of displacement due to extreme weather and sea level rise in New Jersey. This parcel-level analysis covers all 3.4 million properties statewide, including residential, commercial, and industrial parcels, to reflect the full scope of New Jersey’s exposure. Each parcel is classified into one of four displacement risk groups, showing who is most likely to relocate, and where they are likely to move, putting further pressure on a constrained real estate market that has a vacancy rate of 0.5% for homeowners and 3.6% for renters (St. Louis Fed, 2024).
say extreme flooding is happening more often, and half perceive a greater frequency in storms like Sandy and Ida and non-storm-related coastal flooding because of high tides and winds. (Rutgers University)
believe Earth’s climate is changing, and almost the same number see changing climate conditions as a serious threat to New Jersey. (Climate Integrity)
of registered voters say the issue of Earth’s changing climate is “very” or “somewhat” important to their vote in the upcoming election. (Climate Integrity)
support requiring investments using state and federal dollars to take into account resiliency measures to address changing climate conditions. (Climate Integrity)
Rebuild by Design is working to secure dedicated funding for climate infrastructure, empowering all New Jersey communities to invest in resilience today. We are seeking organizations, community leaders, and dedicated advocates who can play an active role in advancing climate resilience efforts across the state. Your support is critical in securing the funding and policies that will protect New Jersey’s communities and infrastructure for the future. Join us>>
Join Rebuild by Design for this monthly event series, offering an in-depth look at the updated findings from the NJ Atlas of Disaster, along with insights from guest speakers who are leading efforts to address climate challenges in New Jersey. Attend an event>>
In 2019, Rebuild by Design worked with a coalition of leaders representing various interests to alert New York State of the growing need to confront the reality of climate change. In response to the coalition’s work, a $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act was approved by New York voters in November, 2022.
