Mercer Times

The Murphy Administration has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the increasing threat of extreme heat in New Jersey. The Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan, developed by the New Jersey Interagency Council on Climate Resilience with public input, outlines 136 specific actions for state agencies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. This initiative is only the third of its kind in the United States.

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the urgency of this plan, stating, “In just the last few weeks, we have seen the dangers of increasingly hotter days for longer periods of time.” He added that combating climate change and preparing residents with necessary resources are crucial steps forward.

Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette highlighted New Jersey's vulnerability: “The facts are indisputable – New Jersey is among the fastest warming states and the impacts of extreme heat are becoming more profound.”

Scientific reports underscore these concerns. The New Jersey Scientific Report on Climate Change (2020) and subsequent addendums reveal accelerated warming trends in New Jersey compared to regional and global averages. Notably, six of the hottest summers have occurred within the past decade.

Factors contributing to this trend include urbanization patterns that exacerbate the urban heat island effect. Vulnerable populations include those living in densely populated areas with minimal tree cover, as well as elderly individuals, outdoor workers, low-income families without air conditioning, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with certain health conditions.

The Interagency Council on Climate Resilience was established under Executive Order No. 89 by Governor Murphy in 2019. Its role includes developing plans to enhance resilience across various sectors in New Jersey. Public feedback was integral to refining this action plan since its draft release during Earth Week.

Nick Angarone, Chief Resilience Officer for New Jersey, acknowledged public involvement: “The robust input we received during this process demonstrates just how important the issue of extreme heat is to our residents and many stakeholders.”

Accompanying resources like Heat Hub NJ provide guidance on coping with extreme heat’s impacts on health and daily life. Features include videos about physical and mental health effects and Chill Out NJ—an interactive map for locating cooling centers.

The action plan prioritizes building resilient communities and ecosystems while promoting coordinated governance and climate-informed investments. Over 80 actions focus on community resilience through agency-led initiatives such as expanding cooling center networks and developing worker safety standards related to heat exposure.