Assemblywoman Linda Stender is now serving her third term in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 22nd Legislative District. She is Vice Chairwoman of the Transportation and Public Works Committee and is also a member for the Health and Senior Services Committee and the Tourism and Gaming Committee.

What do you think is the biggest environmental problem facing New Jersey today?
Global warming. There is no doubt about it; if we do not act now, the effects of global warming will be devastating. Sea levels will rise, destroying our coastline and contaminating our drinking water. Heat waves and droughts will become more frequent and hurricanes and tropical storms will grow more intense. This has already started to happen and will grow exponentially worse if we do not reduce our emissions now.

You’ve taken on a central role in the fight to combat global warming pollution in New Jersey. What inspired you to make this one of your top priorities?
I have always been interested in protecting our environment, so global warming is an issue I have been following for years. I got my first real education on the issue while I was on the Union County Freeholder Board acting as the liaison to the Shade Tree Advisory Board. Since then I’ve grown increasingly frustrated with the federal government’s inaction on the issue. This administration has failed us. While we still need national standards to reduce our emissions, like higher fuel efficiency standards, we can’t afford to wait for action in Washington. As a state, we must assume leadership and do our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What steps will New Jersey have to take to make a real impact on global warming?
We have to take bold steps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. I have introduced legislation requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reduction program to reduce the global warming emissions produced in New Jersey to below 1990 levels by 2020. In business and in our personal lives, we have to use less energy and be more efficient with what we do use.

What role do advocacy groups like Environment New Jersey play in getting stronger environmental protections on the books?
The environment can’t speak for itself. Advocacy groups like Environment New Jersey do a great job of making sure environmental issues aren’t ignored and that legislators and officials continue to introduce and support measures to protect the environment.

What advice do you have for those of us who want to make a difference for the environment?
We must all be conscious of how, as individuals, we use energy and how we can reduce our personal consumption. Think globally, act locally. Switch to incandescent fluorescent bulbs in your home. These bulbs will save energy and last for years. Turn off lights that aren’t being used, turn down the heat by a few degrees in the winter, and up a few in summer. Take mass transit, car pool and consolidate shopping trips as often as you can. Also, please consider taking part in New Jersey’s clean energy program. You can power you home with clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. Visit www.njcleanpower.com to learn more.