Superstorm Sandy Inspired Education: First Virtual 'Teach-In' on Climate Issues November 13-15

Coalition Calling For Teachers to Educate Students on Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Severe Weather, and Solutions

Clean Ocean Action is inviting teachers, instructors, and educators to participate in a program to bring climate issues into the classroom for three days in November as a part of Waves of Action For The Shore.  The Waves of Action initiative was created after Superstorm Sandy to help coastal communities recover. 

For the November Waves focus, Clean Ocean Action compiled educational materials from national and international sources that creatively and clearly present complex scientific issues.  These resources include videos, activity booklets, and pre-written interactive lesson plans.  Materials are sorted by topic and age groups with resources available for all grades from K-12.  Teachers will also be asked for feedback and input about their experience to help COA gain insights on how to improve climate education initiatives.

“We believe there is something inspiring, cathartic, and exciting about collectively taking part in shared education activities,” said Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director. “They bring people together for a common goal; here in the NY/NJ region, education about the impacts from Superstorm Sandy and climate threats are essential to improving our future resiliency and environmental stewardship,” she added.

Registered teachers will be given online resources on the following topics to be presented to their classes any time from Wednesday, November 13^th through Friday, November 15^th:

• Superstorm Sandy: What Do We Know?
• Climate Change/Global Warming
• Sea Level Rise: Cause and Effect
• Climate Change Water Impacts: Droughts, Floods, & Ocean Acidification
• Energy Use, Your Carbon Footprint, & Solutions

“We are asking teachers, scout leaders, school club advisors, and other educators from across New Jersey and New York to take part in the first ‘Virtual Teach-In’ and educate their students during November 13-15,” said Catie Tobin Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow. “This is a great opportunity for educational leaders in the community to expand understanding of climate issues in an interactive way,” Tobin explained.

To receive information educators are being asked to register on the Waves of Action website, www.ForTheShore.org.  Once registered, they will be sent links to the online educational activities. Teachers will also be asked for feedback and input about the Virtual Teach-In and invited to suggest ideas and activities.  

Reflections on Superstorm Sandy, One Year Later: An Open Letter

Dear Friends: 

The one year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy will be a time of reflection. For most of the millions affected by power outages and infrastructure failures, the anniversary will be a memory of lack of water, cold temperatures and shared generators. But for thousands of those with homes and businesses hit by the storm surge, Sandy is still a devastating reality. Some reconstruction has been completed, but many are still closer to the start than to the finish. Most of these storm survivors have been victims of another flood - of paperwork and bureaucracy by insurance companies and/or government. 

Baywood Swamp, Brick, NJ
Before and After Waves of Action volunteers cleaned the area

Clean Ocean Action focused on responding with Waves of Action For The Shore - directing almost 14,000 volunteers to projects for citizens, communities, and habitats in need. 

Going forward, there are decisions that our leaders must make - how can we better prepare with resiliency and environmental stewardship? How do we sustain a clean ocean economy for boating, diving, surfing, and tourism, but respond to inevitable sea level rise and extreme weather? To reduce the devastation, these questions need to be answered prospectively, before the storms hit. Toward that end, Clean Ocean Action is working with the New Jersey Recovery Fund on legislative and policy actions with American Littoral Society and NY/NJ Baykeeper.

In addition, COA is supporting US Strong, a national, non-partisan initiative to establish an Extreme Weather Relief and Protection Fund to protect families and homes. It would provide for resilient infrastructure and ensure environmental stewardship. Recent studies prove that every $1 dollar spent to prevent devastation from storms, saves $9 of clean up and recovery costs.

There are also individual actions we can all take now to reduce climate change, accelerated sea level rise and increased pollution. Severe weather and its devastation costs impact all of us. We can help reduce these impacts. 

Step one: reduce, reuse, recycle, repeat. We can all take simple, yet meaningful actions that,

together, can have profound benefits! First and foremost, use less energy: as if the planet depends on it - because it does! Join us for the NEXT WAVE OF ACTION FOR THE SHORE and BEYOND. Look for new postings each month where we will suggest ways that we can reduce energy use without impacting the quality of life. The added benefit will be saving money. There will be more for the children's college fund or taking an eco-vacation, with less cost to the planet. Let's make it a joint adventure: a reality show with a purpose.

Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director


Clean Ocean Action Wants Your Input

To help Clean Ocean Action gauge public opinion on sea level rise and climate change in coastal communities affected by Superstorm Sandy, please fill out COA's citizen survey here. COA will begin compiling the survey data on Friday, November 1.  This week is your last chance to add your voice to COA’s survey!

As we look back at all that has been accomplished since Superstorm Sandy, we would like to hear from someone important — you. Clean Ocean Action wants to hear about programs or projects that promote environmental stewardship and resiliency in your town. Add to what COA has already started compiling:

• Has your town created an innovative, green project?
• Has your town brought volunteers together for community service?
• Do you know a business or homeowner that has rebuilt sustainably?
• On the other hand, have you seen rebuilding projects that you believe do not promote coastal resiliency?

Email Sean Dixon at policy@cleanoceanaction.org.  COA might add your ideas to the upcoming Waves of Action Conference and Awards on Saturday, December 7.

Fall Into Action for the Jersey Shore Beach Sweeps

Over 65 Locations from Cape May County to Middlesex County

-Saturday, October 19, 2013-

Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in the 28th Annual Fall Beach Sweeps as part of the Wave of Action on Saturday, October 19 at over 65 sites along the Jersey Shore.  A complete list of cleanup locations and times can be found at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to continue to integrate Beach Sweeps into the Waves of Action program, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Catie Tobin, Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow.

The Beach Sweeps is much more than picking up trash, it’s about collecting data to help reduce sources of pollution.  Volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found.   The information collected at the Sweeps is analyzed and published into annual reports.  These reports help identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment, and inform local, state and international efforts to combat marine pollution. COA will release the 2013 Annual Beach Sweep report mid-April, just in time for the spring Beach Sweeps. All reports are available online at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

COA encourages participation from volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, families, and organizations. Volunteers are requested to pre-register by using the online sign-up form at www.CleanOceanAction.org.  Volunteers should wear gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes.  Volunteers can find a site near them from Cape May County to Middlesex County.  Click here for a complete list of sites.

A number of businesses partner with COA to sponsor the Beach Sweeps.  The Statewide Sponsors for the 2013 Beach Sweeps are Aveda and Bank of America.

“Aveda’s focus on environmental leadership and responsibility has led to years of collaboration with Clean Ocean Action to protect clean water.  Our vision of connecting beauty, environment, and well-being is showcased through partnerships with local organizations like Clean Ocean Action.  We look forward to continuing to defend life’s most precious natural resource – water,” stated Aveda Earth Fund Director Katie Galloway.

“Through Beach Sweeps, our teams of volunteers have assisted in cleaning-up trash and debris on New Jersey beaches, lakes, rivers and streams,” said Bob Doherty, New Jersey president, Bank of America.  “Clean Ocean Action offers people a chance to improve their environment and be part of a global effort to drive positive change.”

Statewide Sponsors include Aveda and Bank of America.  County Sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, BD, Brook 35 & West, Comcast Cares, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, The Grove, TD Bank, Shoprite Wakefern and United Teletech Financial. Site Sponsors include Adventure Aquarium - Ocean City 59th Street Pavilion, Baine Contracting - Brick Beach I, Brookdale Community College - Middletown Bayshore Waterfront Park, Enterprise Rent A Car - Sandy Hook, Kohl’s - Sandy Hook, New Jersey Natural Gas - Belmar 1st Avenue, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates - Loch Arbour/Allenhurst, Surfrider Foundation/Jersey Shore Chapter - Asbury Park North Beach, Surfrider Foundation/South Jersey Chapter - In Memory of Tommy Kraemer - Avalon.

FUNdraise

Support Beach Sweeps: raise $100 and receive a special gift.

Start your fundraiser at http://www.crowdrise.com/BeachSweeps.

Meet the 11th Legislative District Candidates and Ask Environmental Questions

Clean Ocean Action (COA), Food and Water Watch New Jersey and the Red Bank Environmental Commission will be hosting a 11th Legislative District Coastal Candidates Environmental Forum on Monday, October 7. The Forum will be held in Red Bank at the United Methodist Church from 7-8:30 PM.  

A moderator will ask questions from the public of the candidates pertaining to environmental issues and recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Sandy.   

Citizens can register and submit questions for the candidates online here or comment on this post! COA will review any questions in the comment section of this post and make sure they are asked on the night of the Forum.

Republican incumbent candidate Senator Jen Beck, Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Michael Brantley, and Democratic Assembly candidate Kevin McMillan will be in attendance.  

This is the second Coastal Candidates Forum after a forum in Long Beach Island was held last week with the 9th Legislative district candidates.  The event is co-sponsored by Food & Water Watch and the Red Bank Environmental Commission.

Start Off Your Summer Right: Volunteer to Help Communities Affected by Sandy

Calling All Volunteers!

Help Make a Difference in Coastal Communities After Sandy

Join Clean Ocean Action and over 15 other organizations, businesses and municipalities on Saturday, June 22nd for the Sixth
Wave of Action "For the Shore."

There are still projects in need of volunteers for June 22!

Projects in New Jersey:

Middlesex County
Old Bridge

Monmouth County

Sandy Hook
Spring Lake
Aberdeen

Long Branch

Neptune City
Bradley Beach

Ocean County

Island Beach State Park
Island Heights

Cape May County

Cape May

Projects in New York:

Staten Island

Superstorm Sandy Volunteer Opportunities - Saturday, May 18, 2013

CLEAN OCEAN ACTION URGES CITIZENS TO GET
‘BACK TO THE BEACH’

Volunteers to Help and Enjoy Beaches By Day,
Celebrate Their Success By Night – Saturday, May 18

WHO: Volunteers, businesses, groups, and elected officials who support clean ocean economies and ecosystems after Superstorm Sandy.

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 2013                

              Times vary, visit www.ForTheShore.org for site specific details

              Back to the Beach Ball Event 7-10 PM

WHAT: The May 18 Waves of Action are events that protect and promote the natural beauty of the coast as well as enticements to get people Back to the Beach, showcasing the New York and New Jersey shores.

In the evening, Clean Ocean Action is hosting the Back to the Beach Ball, a party to highlight and appreciate the thousands of Waves of Action volunteers and supporters.

WHERE:  Over 15 projects across New York and New Jersey from Staten Island, NY to Brigantine, NJ.  

Back to the Beach Ball to follow at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel  1401 Oceanfront Avenue Asbury Park, NJ. Click here for a complete list of sites, meeting locations and party details.

                

WHY: COA continues to support the coalition of organizations, businesses, citizens and municipalities from Cape May to Montauk to help areas in need after Superstorm Sandy.  Waves of Action For The Shore will continue through 2013 with debris clean ups, sustainable development plans, projects to improve water quality, and events to get the public back to the beach. 

PHOTO OPS: Citizens of all ages picking up debris from our shore. Groups include scouts, school, church, employees, and organizations.  COA volunteers and supporters enjoying the party and dancing to the reggae music of Predator Dub Assassins.

See www.ForTheShore.org for sponsorship information and to purchase Back to the Beach Ball tickets.