In response to the ever-worsening climate crisis, New Jersey has an immediate opportunity to lead by example — particularly in the fight against the fossil fuel industry and in protecting the future of our communities.

The recent attacks on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by the Trump-Musk administration and the dismissal of New Jersey’s lawsuit against Big Oil for spreading disinformation highlight how deeply entrenched this industry is in our political and economic systems. New Jersey must respond with courageous action, notably by passing both the Climate Superfund Act (S-3545) and the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S-198) to provide leadership that so many people are craving today.

The cuts to NOAA, a vital agency for tracking and predicting climate patterns, undermine the research and preparedness necessary to protect New Jersey residents and its economy from the escalating impacts of climate crisis, including warming oceans, rising sea levels, flooding and drought. As a coastal state with a vibrant fishing industry, New Jersey is particularly vulnerable.

Equally concerning is the pushback against New Jersey’s lawsuit, which seeks to hold Big Oil accountable for knowingly spreading disinformation about projected emissions. The fossil fuel industry has long misled the public about the consequences of its products, creating a smokescreen that has delayed the shift to clean, renewable energy. This disinformation campaign has exacerbated the climate crisis and jeopardized the futures of our children and communities.

Now is the time for New Jersey legislators to take decisive action. The Climate Superfund Act demands accountability from Big Oil and relieves the burden on our taxpayers. The Fossil Fuel Divestment Act represents a meaningful step toward risk reduction by protecting the long-term viability of our state pension. Passing these bills will signal that New Jersey is committed to standing against an industry that has caused irreversible harm to us all.

Accountability and divestment from fossil fuels are both moral and economic imperatives. Every dollar we continue to invest in oil and gas is a dollar not spent transitioning to a greener, more equitable economy. Demanding accountability and fossil fuel divestment sends a powerful message that corporations will be held accountable for their role in the climate crisis, especially at this critical moment in our country’s fight to defend democracy.

Passing the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act will also position New Jersey as a leader in the global movement toward clean, renewable energy. This transition is not just about ideology; it’s about survival. From heat waves to flooding to wildfires, our communities are already bearing the brunt of environmental destruction. As stewards of state pension funds and taxpayer dollars, we must protect the investments of future generations — not just financially, but environmentally.

We have the people power to ensure that our pensions, communities and futures are protected from the destructive influence of fossil fuels. Let us commit to full accountability and divestment, invest in renewable energy, and build a just, stable future for all New Jersey residents. Passing the Climate Superfund Act (S-3545) and the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act (S-198) would create a model for an alternative future in which we can live free of climate catastrophes. It would truly make the state of New Jersey a leader when we really need one.