LD26 Assembly Candidate Christine Clarke Invited to UN PeaceBoat for World Oceans Day

Jefferson Twp., NJ:   In commemoration of World Oceans Day and as an Honorary Advisor to the UN NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, 26th Legislative District State Assembly candidate Christine Clarke was invited by the President of the Committee to attend a voyage aboard PeaceBoat on Saturday, June 8.  PeaceBoat is a renewable-energy-powered vessel used to promote peace and sustainability.

Speakers for the World Oceans Day event include Mr. Yoshioka Tatsuya, Founder and Director of PeaceBoat and of The Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassadors; Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Founder of Mission Blue; Mr. Fabian Cousteau, Environmental Advocate and Founder of the Fabian Cousteau Ocean Learning Center; and Ms. Daniela Fernandez, Founder of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.  There will also be an Ocean Heroes Meetup for invited youth, who will present in the closing festivities of the event. The voyage will include panels and collaborative meetings working together on peace, prosperity and protecting our natural resources.

Clarke gave a presentation to the committee on May 30 at the Salvation Army Social Justice Commission auditorium on the importance of advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] by running for public office, in part because candidacy as activism provides a platform by which environmentalists can inform voters, impact legislators and advance smart public policies focused on sustainability and achieving development goals.

“We are in this together,” said Clarke, “and we need a fair and just transition to clean energy urgently to protect our communities and natural resources.  As good stewards of our environment for our children and future generations, it’s upon us to make sure we elect people who will represent not only constituents but our collective legacy.”

Noting tens of thousands of union jobs ahead for New Jersey in energy efficiency and renewable energy work, Clarke sees the booming renewable energy industry as a vehicle to build revenue for the state, add new jobs and supply chain work, improve workers’ lives and livelihoods, protect public health from pollution, cut energy bills and reduce the harmful emissions contributing to climate change.  She will be speaking with invited dignitaries and leaders aboard PeaceBoat to advance those goals.

In addition to her role as an Honorary Advisor to the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, Clarke is a Climate Reality Leader and a steering committee member of the Jersey Renews coalition, the NJ People’s Climate Movement and the NJ March for Science. She is the Chair of the Jefferson Township Democratic Committee and former Environmental Director of Action Together New Jersey.  She was named to Senator Menendez’s Environment and Science Leadership Council during his re-election campaign and was an early organizer with NJ 11th For Change.

Clarke is endorsed by the New Jersey Sierra Club, by Action Together New Jersey and by the Democratic Party in Morris, Essex and Passaic Counties.  She has lived in Jefferson for 15 years with her husband and four children.  You can learn more about her at www.clarkeforassembly.com.

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