Citizens Declare Independence for the Ocean

Wednesday, 01 July 2009 11:42

Newsbrief - Monmouth County

Asbury Park, NJ - Today, hundreds of citizens gathered on the Asbury Park Boardwalk to celebrate the ocean and commit to protecting it from looming industrial threats.  With the help of elected officials, organizations, and volunteers, Clean Ocean Action (COA) kicked-off its annual Clean Ocean Action Shore Tips (C.O.A.S.T.) campaign by hosting a paddle-out, beach rally, and movie.  The focus of this year's C.O.A.S.T. campaign is to fight three liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal proposals and other polluting industries off the coasts of New York and New Jersey.

"The time is now for citizens to stand up for the protection and integrity of the ocean.  We need everyone's help to stop the continued attacks on the ocean," said Meg Gardner, Public Advocacy Fellow, Clean Ocean Action.

"Be GREEN to save BIG BLUE," said Rich Fuller, Coordinator, Green Party of Monmouth County.

Ocean friends gathered on the Asbury Park beach to spell out "SOS" for Save Our Seas, and surfers, kayakers, and body boarders held a paddle-out with a giant "NO LNG" banner stretched across the waves.  The evening was rounded out by a showing of Leonardo DiCaprio's The 11^th Hour shown in the Carousel Building.

C.O.A.S.T. volunteers will educate shore residents and visitors this summer about ocean pollution and the newest industrial threats to the ocean, as well as engage citizens to support the COZ (Clean Ocean Zone) to stop industrial proposals in the ocean.

"During these times of elevated awareness for the environment, the economy, quality of life of future generations and the security of our nation, no single objective may be more significant then our ability to use less energy. Historically, the politics of oil, foreign and domestic, controls our economy, pollutes our planet and kills children in wars unnecessary for them to fight.  For these reasons, as well as for the protection of our irreplaceable beaches here in New Jersey, we strongly support Clean Ocean Action in efforts to stop the proposed LNG projects here in New Jersey," said Mike Morton, The Pickens Plan, New Jersey Delegation.

"LNG is bad for our waters, bad for our climate, bad for our wallets, and bad for our security," said John Weber, Surfrider Foundation.

"We must pump up the volume," said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director, Clean Ocean Action.  "LNG is not in the people's interest.  It's only in the interest of big foreign energy cartels.  This is a true David & Goliath battle to preserve the health of the ocean, our coastal economy, and our quality of life," she added, "Our elected officials must step up or be held accountable."

"Industrial sprawl such as LNG importation facilities and oil and gas development has no place in a green future", said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society. "These latest proposals are an insult to the value and importance of a healthy ocean and it is why we need the Clean Ocean Zone legislation to pass congress and be signed into law," he added.