Calling on Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) to get his “head out of the sand,” progressive advocates dressed as ostriches and blitzed the Atlantic City Boardwalk today, highlighting the critical need to address climate change by supporting President Biden’s transformational infrastructure plan.

Though Van Drew represents portions of the Jersey Shore most susceptible to the impacts of a rapidly warming climate — including flooding, increasingly severe storms and rising sea levels — he has staunchly opposed efforts by Washington to address the crisis, including a $3.5 trillion proposal championed by President Biden that invests in clean, renewable energy.

“Jeff Van Drew must break from the powerful corporate special interests that fund his campaign and stand on the side of his constituents, who are on the front lines of climate change,” said Sue Altman, State Director for New Jersey Working Families. “Van Drew must stop being an ostrich with his head in the sand and break from the extremist Republican agenda that puts wealthy polluters over threatened Jersey Shore communities.”

To educate beachgoers on a hot August day, progressives also flew an aerial banner calling on Van Drew saying, “Rep. Van Drew: Stop Blocking Climate Action.”

“Superstorm Sandy showed that low-income families and people of color in communities like Atlantic City are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” said Shane Winkler of Atlantic County Our Revolution. “Jeff Van Drew must support President Biden’s climate plan to protect the residents of Atlantic City who can’t afford to move to higher ground.”

President Biden’s infrastructure and climate plan, which cleared a key hurdle in the Senate last week, now faces a series of crucial votes in the House of Representatives. If passed, it would dedicate billions of dollars to create well-paying union jobs by investing in clean, renewable energy, electric vehicles, public transit and other measures designed to curb climate emissions while building a 21st century green economy.

“Since switching parties to protect Donald Trump from impeachment, Van Drew has supported the most extreme parts of the far right’s agenda,” said Judy Walker of Who is Jeff Van Drew? “We’re here to hold Van Drew accountable and show that his actions are out of step with a district on the front lines of climate change.”

“We came to the Boardwalk today to spread the word about Jeff Van Drew’s extreme positions on climate change,” said Kelly Redkoles of Jersey Girls for Democracy. “This is only the first step in a coordinated campaign to educate voters about Van Drew’s record and hold him accountable.”

“Climate change poses an existential threat to our Jersey Shore communities,” said Kate Delany of South Jersey Progressive Democrats. “We’re going to be keeping a close eye on Jeff Van Drew and hold him accountable to his district as the debate over the President’s climate bill heats up in the coming weeks.”