New Jersey cannot wait any longer
A majority of New Jerseyans want proactive and comprehensive adaptation strategies to protect lives, livelihoods and communities from increasing climate risks.
Between 2011-2023, New Jersey experienced 14 climate disasters, leaving each of the state’s 21 counties with at least five disaster declarations. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy left over two million households without power. Severe storms, such as Hurricane Ida caused extensive damage and killed 30 people, though the unnamed that events cause “sunny day” are effecting communities on a regular basis. All of these events underscore the urgent need for improved stormwater management and emergency alert systems.
Rebuild by Design’s Atlas of Disaster: New Jersey shows that, altogether, the state’s extreme weather events have cost U.S. taxpayers more than $7.2 billion dollars so far, ranking New Jersey as the third in the U.S. for per capita spending on climate disasters.
Together, we can do something about this!
New jersey needs funding to support climate-forward infrastructure
To ensure a livable future, it is crucial that the State of New Jersey secures sustainable, long-term funding for climate adaptation infrastructure. Residents of New Jersey are already demanding proactive, comprehensive climate adaptation strategies that would ensure that increases in the frequency of severe weather will not lead to increases in destruction.
Though the State and many municipalities have planning efforts underway to develop new infrastructure to address these issues, there are not yet solid funding sources. A dedicated state-level funding source could support infrastructure for the most physically and socially vulnerable communities throughout New Jersey, and reduce risk from extreme heavy rain, storm surge, hurricanes, and heatwaves.
#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 a Modest Surcharge on Certain Types of Insurance
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.
New Jerseyans want to see action
two-thirds
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)
78 percent
believe Earth’s climate is changing, and almost the same number see changing climate conditions as a serious threat to New Jersey. (Climate Integrity)
70 percent
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)
66 percent
support requiring investments using state and federal dollars to take into account resiliency measures to address changing climate conditions. (Climate Integrity)
other states HAVE ALREADY takEN action
LEARN ABOUT NEW YORK STATE's $4.2 BILLION FUND
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.
REBUILD BY DESIGN in new jersey
Event: Learn about Hoboken’s innovative approach and comprehensive strategy to tackling the challenges of heavy rainfall, with Caleb Stratton, Assistant Business Administrator & Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Hoboken. Watch the event here >>
BUILDING REGIONAL EXPERTISE: NY-NJ USACE HATS TEACH-IN
Designing a teach-in: Rebuild hosted a flood infrastructure teach-in to better understand the US Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed plan for flood protection in the New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries. Learn more>>
Hurricane Sandy Rebuild by Design Competition. This project is a multifaceted approach to managing stormwater from flooding and surge along the Hudson River. It explores using hard infrastructure and soft landscape—including permeable paving, rain gardens, and rainwater storage—for coastal defense. Learn more>>
Hurricane Sandy Rebuild by Design Competition. The low-lying Meadowlands, a flood-prone area located across the Hudson River from New York City, is home to critical power, wastewater treatment, and transportation infrastructure for the region. Interventions here need to address the combined effects of flooding, heat islands, pollution, social vulnerability, and vital network protection. Learn more>>
Hurricane Sandy Rebuild by Design Competition. These research and design strategies focus on the value of “the beach,” a place of special significance to memory, state and local economies, and a vital component of coastal ecosystems. New Jersey’s northern shore includes the three coastal typologies found across the eastern seaboard of the United States: Barrier Island, Headlands, and Inland Bay. Learn more>>
Hurricane Sandy Rebuild by Design Competition. A finalist proposal to create an offshore barrier island chain centered on the NY/NJ harbor is called “The Blue Dunes” – blue indicating their position in the open ocean, and dunes for the natural landforms they mimic. Learn more>>
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