By Haley Mejias
Correspondant
Shawn LaTourette, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s commissioner, spoke to students, faculty and staff about current environmental issues at the College’s R. Barbara Gitenstein Library Auditorium on Sept. 21.
The event was sponsored by the Department of Psychology and the Environmental Studies Program, in recognition of Climate Week.
LaTourette began by stating, “climate change is the single greatest long-term threat to our communities, our economy and our very way of life here in New Jersey.”
He added, “It's hardly an environmental issue alone. It's an intersectional issue. It has implications for every area of study, every profession, every institution, every business, every family, everywhere.”
LaTourette explained that 2024 was the hottest year on record worldwide and had detrimental effects on the state. New Jersey experienced a drought that devastated water supplies, threatened water availability, and lowered crop yields. That same year also brought one of the worst wildfire seasons on record for the state.
LaTourette also touched on the fact that the federal government is currently reversing efforts to protect the environment, against the country’s best interest.
“Over the last several months, we have seen the federal government pull back from the mission of climate action. I do not believe that that is cause for despair. I don't believe it's cause for fear. I believe it calls us to greater action,” LaTourette said.
Throughout his speech, he placed a special emphasis on not focusing on the negative climate news that gets the most media coverage. Instead, he encourages people not to underestimate the power of the state government.
“In this media environment and in this political environment, I think it's important for us to be, in this space, mindful of a truth, which is that your state government and the states from which you may hail, if you're not from New Jersey, implement over 90% of the environmental and climate laws in this country. A very often overlooked fact,” LaTourette said.
Similarly, he encourages people to make individual change within their local communities as it makes a bigger difference than one may assume.
“There is something you could do locally right at home in your community that makes a meaningful difference. It might sound like it’s not enough, but with the scale of the challenge before us, every single act matters,” LaTourette said.
The event ended with a 15-minute Q-and-A section where audience members could directly ask questions to the commissioner. Questions pertained to New Jersey’s efforts to continue fighting against climate change and also how to stay hopeful while being constantly surrounded by negative environmental news.
This event was organized primarily by psychology Professor Christopher Holland with the assistance of environmental studies Professor Diane Bates.
“I believe it is valuable to hear officials in government speak on matters, especially as it relates to a class currently in progress. It is an interesting perspective, one that they may not often have access to,” Holland told The Signal.
Audience members walked away with new insights from attending this discussion and listening to the commissioner speak.
James Bachman, a junior psychology major, said, “It was important to hear how much you can do locally and even passively without realizing it. For instance, turning the light off when you leave your room. There’s a lot you can do without even really thinking about it to help on the local level.”
Bachman also walked away with possible future career insight with the help of the commissioner’s promotion.
Bates told The Signal, “At a time when the federal government is withdrawing its political and financial resources from climate change issues, Commissioner LaTourette emphasized the importance of state and local government, which is also where individuals can have the most impact when they get involved. His message was a call to action.”
October marks the College’s very first “Sustainability Month” with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. Similar to Climate Week, Sustainability Month aims to raise awareness and bring attention to the global issue of climate change. There will be events held throughout the month to get students involved in becoming more environmentally sustainable.
