NJ launches Climate Week by emphasizing water resources

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-N.J.) administration began NJ Climate Week 2025 by spotlighting their efforts to make New Jersey more adaptable to climate change and by giving The Watershed Institute the fifth Our Water’s Worth It award, according to a press release. 

The purpose of NJ Climate Week is to inform New Jersey residents, students, businesses and communities of recent climate action in the state, as well as to better prepare them for the increasing impacts of climate change. 

“New Jersey will continue to experience some of the greatest impacts of climate change. As the most densely populated state in the nation, we face serious flooding threats … we are driving down our greenhouse gas emissions and providing the strong leadership and investments needed to equip our communities to better protect lives, property, and infrastructure,” Murphy said. 

The Our Water’s Worth It award is presented by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to increase knowledge about New Jersey’s essential water resources and why they must be protected. 

The Watershed Institute received the award for its work to improve regional stormwater management. DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said that this work is critical to improving community resilience to climate change. 

“Communities across New Jersey are experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change — from increased flooding to polluted stormwater that threatens both our health and our waterways. Addressing these challenges requires regional collaboration, and we are proud to help bring together municipalities, community leaders, and residents to find shared solutions. Together, we can build resilience for generations to come,” Executive Director of The Watershed Institute Jim Waltman said.