"Rising Tide: Climate Change and New Jersey" Exhibit Now On Display at The New Jersey State Museum
TRENTON, NJ — In celebration of Earth Day, the New Jersey State Museum is proud to host the "Rising Tide: Climate Change and New Jersey" exhibit, made possible thanks to a $500,000 pledge from one of New Jersey's largest corporations, PSEG.
New Jersey is a coastal state on the continental margin and is in the best possible position for scientific observation of sea level change. An ideal area for time perspective, New Jersey has a historical record dating from the 17th century, and is further enhanced by a fine archaeological record. Prehistoric perspective extends back well into the Pleistocene (Ice Age) when much of the Earth's water was in the form of ice. Elephants and other large mammals were then common on the continental shelf, when it was above mean sea level.
"This creative and thought-provoking exhibit encourages new ways of thinking about our relationship to the environment. Thanks to the strong leadership and commitment of PSEG investing in New Jersey's cities and cultural institutions, this is a wonderful example of how public-private collaborative partnerships can result in extraordinary accomplishments," noted Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells.
On display through January 24, 2010, the exhibit, an extensive educational resource for students and adults, includes a discussion of greenhouse gases, and how they act to trap the warmth from the Sun's rays. Fossil fuels are also examined, showing how their consumption contributes to accelerate global warming.
"Climate change is a defining issue for this generation and will be, even more so, for the next. We cannot afford to wait to teach our children about it, and to begin taking action," said Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and CEO of PSEG. Mr. Izzo said PSEG has taken a number of steps to reduce its own carbon footprint and has been encouraging its customers and other businesses to do the same. He noted that PSEG is investing in wind, and solar, hybrid vehicles and biofuel, as well as energy efficient wires and transformers.
This exhibition also takes place during the Museum's admission free Super Science Weekend, April 25-26, which features entertaining shows for kids of all ages, science demonstrations, hands-on activities and much more.
"Rising Tide" is displayed at the State Museum's Main Building on the 1st Floor Gallery. The New Jersey State Museum is located at 205 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey. The main building and auditorium are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and Sunday, noon to 5:00 pm. The Museum is closed Mondays and all state holidays. Exhibitions are also presented in the Museum's satellite gallery next door in the Department of State building at 225 West State Street. Exhibit hours at this location are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; closed weekends and state holidays. On weekends, free parking is available in lots adjacent to and behind the Museum.
The New Jersey State Museum, through the Friends of the New Jersey State Museum, has received generous support for its exhibitions and programs from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; Hyde& Watson Foundation; PSEG, Atlantic City Electric; New Jersey State Council on the Arts/NJ Department of State; New Jersey Division of Travel &Tourism; AT&T; Merck; and the Prudential Foundation.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSEG has a long tradition of caring for New Jersey's people and communities. Each year, the company and its employees invest millions of dollars and thousands of hours to improve the quality of life in New Jersey. The company's culture dictates that service to customers and community go hand-in-hand.
(Digital images of works included in the exhibitions
are available by request)
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