'Climate change hero' takes up cause

In an effort to raise awareness about global warming and discuss solutions, New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and University professors discussed what students and citizens can do to adapt to and mitigate its effects.
Sponsored by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group Student Chapters, Pallone shared his support for the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 at a panel last night in the Raritan River Lounge of the Student Activities Center on the College Avenue campus.
The legislation, authored by Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., and Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., aims to create jobs, help end dependence on foreign oil and battle global warming, he said.
“The program reduces the number of available allowances issued each year to make sure that aggregated emissions from the covered entities are reduced by 3 percent below 2005 levels in 2012, 20 percent below 2005 levels in 2020, 42 percent below 2005 levels in 2030 and 83 percent below 2005 levels in 2050,” Pallone said, reading from the act.
Pallone said Congress will try to put the moratorium back in place for offshore drilling for oil and gas off both coasts during a five-year period, in response to a question from Rutgers College junior Rachel Martin.
“Whether we have the votes is certainly not clear, but we will try,” Pallone said.
NJPIRG intern Mohit Bhake, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said clean coal is not an effective way to combat global warming.
Pallone said he would not be surprised if there is some accommodation for clean coal in energy legislation.
“The emphasis should not be on clean coal because it isn’t that clean, and that’s the bottom line,” Pallone said.
He said incentives that New Jersey and other states are offering have some tax benefits now, but the new act introduces more. 
“Frankly, when I talk to a lot of these companies that’s exactly what they bring up,” Pallone said. “They say, ‘We’d be glad to do it if we can get some help.’”
NJPIRG presented Pallone with pictures of the group posing with a cardboard cutout of the congressman in a superhero costume, calling him their “Climate Change Hero.”
Pallone accepted the award and told the audience his 15-year-old daughter had already seen the pictures on Facebook.
NJPIRG intern Fernando Hidalgo said the event was held to raise awareness about global warming, discuss solutions to the problems and to allow students to listen to Pallone.
The panel continued with a speech from Associate Professor of Environmental Science Anthony Broccoli.
Broccoli said students are capable of tackling what he sees as the major environmental crisis of the next few centuries.
“I am very optimistic because as I look out over this room I can see the solution,” Broccoli said.
Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences Associate Research Professor Michael Kennish offered multiple solutions to the problems global warming presents including cutting down reliance on fossil fuels, seeking renewable resources, upgrading buildings and infrastructure, eliminating sprawl development, reducing deforestation and engaging legislators and the public.