ABOUT
The Princeton Student Climate Initiative (PSCI), a student group with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement at Princeton University, hosted a statewide stakeholder forum on Saturday, September 15, 2018, to discuss policies that New Jersey could implement over the next 10 years, to achieve its 2050 emissions goals. This event was organized in collaboration with NJPIRG Student Chapters, Princeton Citizen Scientists, Rutgers Students for Environmental Awareness, Science Policy and Advocacy at Rutgers, Chi Epsilon NJIT Chapter, Stockton Echoing Climate Optimism, and West Orange Fight for Green Club. The forum provided a unique opportunity for students of all backgrounds to learn about the perspectives of diverse stakeholders, not only of environmental groups, but businesses, labor, energy, government, academia, and environmental justice sectors.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- 48 stakeholders from the environmental, labor, business, environmental justice, government, and utilities (though we acknowledge some underrepresentation of certain groups like labor, concerned business, and environmental justice)
- 38 student volunteers organizing this event
- 44 audience members
- We discussed policies in long-term emissions reduction, transportation, buildings, economic transition, coastal resiliency, and solid waste.
- In general, stakeholders were impressed by the event scale and did genuinely participate in honest, civil discussions with others of differing viewpoints. Stakeholders appreciated the networking opportunities and the diversity of other participants, which allowed many of them to learn.