By Anne Levin
When the next governor of New Jersey is elected this November, he or she will be facing a growing need for climate action due to worsening floods, extreme heat, and other environmental issues. A public education campaign known as “Enviro Fix in ’26” is geared toward making the successful candidate aware and ready to take action.
On July 23, a group of environmental, health, faith, and community advocates met in Newark at an event organized by the nonprofit New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Education Fund to demand bold leadership on these issues from the next administration. The next stops on the tour are Camden on August 6, followed by Trenton on August 21.
“We are at a crossroads in New Jersey. The next governor will either continue down a path of pollution and rising climate risks or step up to lead us into a cleaner, healthier future for every resident — regardless of their zip code,” said Luke Pavlov, campaign manager, New Jersey LCV, in a press release. “Our ‘Enviro Fix in ’26’ platform is a clear roadmap for candidates to follow, and we’re calling on the candidates to commit to real environmental solutions that put people first.”
The campaign is centered around a policy guide that was developed by a coalition of 25 organizations from across the environmental, public health, and social justice sectors including the Watershed Institute, Duke Farms, the New Jersey chapter of the American College of Physicians, and Isles. The agenda advocates transitioning to 100 percent clean electricity, protecting drinking water and open space, lowering energy costs for working families, building community resilience to heat and flooding, and environmental justice for historically overburdened communities.
“We are in a critical era of change in our environment, and it’s urgent that we address the environmental difficulties plaguing underserved, industrialized communities,” said Tobias A. Fox, managing director of Newark Science and Sustainability Inc., in the release. “There is an immediate necessity to launch community-based green development initiatives. Such programs must fuse sustainable agriculture, green technology, and ecological infrastructure to tackle pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges at the local and state level.”
Also quoted on the campaign is Nicole Miller, vice chair of the New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition (NJEEC).
“As we look ahead to New Jersey’s next governor, it’s critical that environmental justice isn’t treated as an afterthought, but as the foundation of our clean energy future,” she said. “For too long, overburdened communities have suffered the worst impacts of pollution while receiving the fewest benefits from energy investments. That must change. Clean energy must be affordable, accessible, and designed with frontline communities at the center. Whether it’s through reducing energy bills with programs like community solar, ensuring access to electric transportation, or prioritizing clean energy job creation in historically excluded neighborhoods, New Jersey’s next leader must commit to building a just energy transition that lifts everyone.”
The campaign event on August 6 is at 1729 Ferry Avenue in Camden. The Trenton session on August 21 is at 1 North Johnston Avenue. Both events are held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit njlcvef.org for more information and to download the policy guide.