COPENHAGEN - One of the first things I noticed about the city was its green countryside, which was completely covered with wind turbines. I don’t understand the aesthetic argument against them; to me, they are a beautiful addition to the landscape.

Over the past week, I’ve noticed how fully the city seems to have embraced the COP15 conference, which ended today. A new bus line has run straight from my hostel here to the Bella Center, where events are held, and the airport. “Hopenhagen” signs are everywhere.

My second morning here, I headed to the Bella Center to get my official “non-governmental” badge and check out events. (All public transportation has been free with the badge, which kind of makes up for the expensive food.)
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A view of the Delaware River, by sachindaluja.

by Nancy Shukaitis and Scott Olson

As our nation searches for environmentally and economically feasible alternative methods of generating electricity – solar, wind, ocean tides, geothermal or biomass – it is unfortunate that coal has moved into first place for electricity generation.

This happened when the National Energy Policy Act and the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors became law, creating the vast, new Mid-Atlantic high voltage line corridor encompassing thirteen states – including all of New Jersey and 52 of 67 Pennsylvania counties.

Creation of this corridor does not consider alternative energy solutions – instead it facilitates use of dirty, coal-generated power by Eastern cities, defying calls for clean, renewable technologies. Power plants built great distances from population centers are contrary to good planning. Plants sited near demand centers – along with increased energy efficiency and conservation measures – are superior alternatives to long-distance transmission.

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Leaders from across the globe are in Copenhagen through the end of the week to make difficult decisions about climate change that will resonate long into the future.

The 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference is also an opportunity to expand the role of students in international decision-making. I am attending through the sponsorship of IDEAS, a nonprofit working to link students in developed countries with their counterparts in developing nations.

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Fresh Jersey-grown produce and other local foods just got a little more accessible to everyone, rich or poor, in Highland Park.

A Better World Cafe offers creative, healthy, seasonal meals at suggested prices. Have that day’s “complimentary community entree,” or pay less — or more — than the listed price of your local tomato-eggplant-pesto panini or stuffed acorn squash. Volunteer your time for a free lunch. Anything goes.

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I released a report called “Too Much Pollution” this week, a new analysis of government data on global warming pollution trends in New Jersey and nationally.

The report finds that New Jersey’s pollution increased by 16 percent from 1990 to 2007, and that the Garden State ranks 16th nationwide for the highest levels of pollution.

More pollution than ever isn’t a record we want to set. It’s time to take back control of our energy future. By harnessing the power of the wind and sun, we can cut pollution and transition to clean energy sources that don’t harm the environment, never run out, and create new, local jobs.

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New Jersey is nearing financial collapse. A Republican candidate was elected in a highly Democratic state against a Democratic incumbent. Government corruption is widespread. Over a million residents of the state are without health insurance. The PATH train is running slower.

The last one is just a minor annoyance of mine on my commute. The rest are setting up New Jersey political drama in a way that might rival the Tudor courts under Shakespeare’s pen.

An article in yesterday’s Star-Ledger focused on a PEW Center for the States report that New Jersey faces fiscal ruin, balanced against the announcement of Governor-elect Chris Christie’s transition team.

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Gannett reported that as of 11:35 p.m., with 98 percent of the state’s precincts reporting, the question was ahead 52 percent for to 48 percent against. More than 1.5 million votes were cast, according to the Associated Press.

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The New Jersey Sierra Club, which had a press release to us by 10:23, couldn’t resist a parting jab at the incumbent: If you’d done better on the environment, guy, you coulda won.

The group had endorsed Daggett, while another key green group, the New Jersey Environmental Federation, chose Christie. Corzine was largely left out, accused by some environmentalists of failing to keep promises, being slow to act on global warming goals and opening the door to developers.

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I will be voting “no” on an open space question for the first time in my life, a decision that will perhaps come as a surprise to many of my grassroots environmentalist friends.

It was certainly not an easy choice, being a member of Byram’s Open Space Committee, and given the enthusiastic support I gave to the issue when it was on the ballot in 2007. But it was that very effort — plus the new perspective as an elected official — that most influences my decision today.

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By Michael Pisauro

In just a few days, New Jersey will choose not only its governor, but whether or not it will continue its long history of supporting open space.

On Nov. 3, New Jerseyans will vote on the “Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009″ — or public question #1. How we, as a state, vote on this question will determine whether we preserve New Jersey for us and for future generations — whether we hand New Jersey to our children in a better condition than we got it — or whether they will ask us why we did not ask to protect New Jersey when we had the chance.

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The state’s environmentalists applauded the vote, calling it a win for public health, the environment and renewable energy. Rachel Kohl, a global warming associate with Environment New Jersey, said her group hopes it “sets the tone for any further pursuit of new coal plants in Linden or the state of New Jersey.”

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