WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney released the following statement Wednesday after joining 11 other governors in writing a letter to urge President Donald Trump to keep the U.S. in the Paris Climate Agreement to reduce carbon pollution and combat climate change.

“The effects of climate change are already taking a toll on Delawareans. As a low-lying coastal state, Delaware is vulnerable to damage from sea level rise, stronger storm surges, and routine flooding. These threats will only increase if we don’t work together to reduce the human emissions of greenhouse gases that feed rapid climate change. I stand with my fellow governors to strongly urge the President to take the path to a healthy and sustainable future by joining with a dedicated global community through the Paris Agreement.”

Click here to view the full letter sent to White House and Congressional leaders on Wednesday.

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WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order that would review offshore drilling restrictions put in place by the Obama Administration:

“President Trump’s order is disappointing, and would reverse important restrictions put in place by the Obama Administration,” said Governor Carney. “Delaware does not support any exploration or extraction of fossil fuels from the Atlantic Ocean. To risk our coastal economy and natural resources on offshore drilling for oil and gas would also imperil our state’s environmental and economic health. A new fossil fuel industry on the Atlantic Coast would trigger a cascading of secondary impacts and increased carbon emissions. It would require a vast network of pipelines, increased barge and tanker traffic, and associated industrial development in sensitive coastal areas, including construction of new refineries with supporting infrastructure and increased truck and rail shipments. Delaware’s coastal resources directly or indirectly support some 60,000 jobs and almost $7 billion in economic production from tourism to industry to commercial fishing. We should be investing in our beaches and our parks, and taking steps to protect our coastline from the impacts of climate change, not taking these kinds of unnecessary risks.”

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WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor Carney issued the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, which would reduce carbon emissions from power plants and combat climate change:

“Delaware is already experiencing sea level rise twice as fast as the global average. More than 17,000 homes in Delaware are at risk of permanent inundation, and many more experience costly flooding. In addition to sea level rise, increased high heat days and changing precipitation patterns threaten Delaware’s essential $8 billion agricultural industry, and pose critical health threats. The safety and health of Delawareans, our economy, and our natural resources are dependent not only on our actions as a state, but on a shared, urgent commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a bad idea to abandon any tools that help us combat the real effects of climate change.”

DOVER – The State of Delaware this week released Climate Action in Delaware: 2016 Progress Report, highlighting the state’s progress toward meeting the challenges of climate change and outlining steps forward, DNREC announced today.

In 2013, Governor Jack Markell issued an Executive Order directing all state agencies to address the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and to protect Delaware from current and future impacts. As a result, state agencies developed the Climate Framework for Delaware, which outlines more than 155 recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to rising heat and sea levels. Now, the state has released its 2016 progress report to update Delawareans on the state’s climate action.

“Our state has repeatedly proven that protecting our environment also protects and strengthens the health and prosperity of our citizens, communities and economy,” said Governor Markell. “We’ve taken important steps by investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and cleaner fuels, moving toward our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. We’re also making our low-lying state more resilient to sea level rise through projects such as dike and beach restorations.”

“The progress we have made must continue,” Governor Markell continued. “Together, we can continue to prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change, supporting Delawareans’ health and safety, promoting economic opportunity and addressing one of the greatest threats to the future of our state, our nation and our planet.”

“This report highlights the progress we’ve made in areas including clean transportation, agriculture, energy use, public health and worker safety,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Under Governor Markell’s leadership, the collaboration among a number of state agencies has laid a solid foundation upon which to build future efforts to help Delaware adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

Susan Love, Climate Section lead with DNREC’s Division of Energy & Climate, said that these strategies include partnering with local governments and engaging communities. “Climate change is a challenge that affects all of us, and it’s going to take all of us to meet it,” Love said.

The progress report also includes a comprehensive appendix detailing the progress of each of the Framework’s adaptation recommendations. To read the report, click Climate Action in Delaware: 2016 Progress Report.

To learn more about state actions and what you can do to help, visit de.gov/climatechange.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 47, No. 14

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Educational attractions at the DNREC Building and a full schedule of activities, presentations and games.

HARRINGTON – With the 2016 Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates tomorrow for its fun-filled run (Thursday, July 21 thru Saturday, July 30), DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual extravaganza – with more environmental displays than ever at the Fair, more Delaware State Parks presentations in celebrating Parks’ 65^th anniversary, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages from testing their knowledge about the state’s natural resources from taking in all those displays and presentations. All in the DNREC Education Building, on East Rider Rd., near the Center Ice Rink on the fairgrounds.

DNREC’s Funhouse of Science, located in the building’s main room, features a dozen displays from DNREC’s divisions and programs offering information and activities on everything from increasingly popular “living shorelines” to improving Delaware’s air quality to making recycling a lifestyle choice. New this year: DNREC’s refurbished Energy House, plus displays on living shorelines, Delaware’s tax ditches and climate change. State Fair visitors young and older also are invited to play DNREC’s scavenger hunt game for “hunting down” facts about Delaware natural resources and environmental knowledge that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide array of prizes when they succeed in completing the hunt.

Outside the building, don’t miss T-Rex, the Division of Energy & Climate’s mobile solar power station – you can even plug in your phone for a quick charge … with clean energy from the sun! Back inside the building, DNREC’s On Stage theater offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the Department’s Divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship. Stop by daily to learn more about Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit!

DNREC’s Fun House of Science

Adults and kids of all ages are invited to visit DNREC’s Fun House of Science at the Delaware State Fair July 21-30 where they can discover the science behind the work DNREC does to protect the environment and Delaware’s natural resources. DNREC’s building includes displays, hands-on activities and educational games with prizes, as well as live animal shows and presentations about subjects from maritime history to geology to Delaware’s unique plants and animals in its air-conditioned theater, DNREC On Stage. Tropo, the Division of Air Quality’s big blue mascot, also will be making a special appearance. The Fun House of Science, located in DNREC’s Education Building on East Rider Road on the Fairgrounds, is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., every day during the fair. For more information, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov or call 302-739-9902.

DNREC On-Stage Schedule

• Thursday, July 21
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: See Live Horseshoe Crabs! Learn fascinating facts about this unique and ancient Bayshore species from DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center staff – and see them up close.
• Friday, July 22
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Create Power … with Water and Wind! Watch a steam engine and water wheel in action, and then create your own pinwheel to harness wind and make energy from our natural resources. (From Delaware State Parks’ Auburn Heights Preserve)
  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Explore the Cape’s Coastal Habitats! Follow clues to investigate habitats on Cape Henlopen – maritime forest, sand dunes and salt marsh – and learn about the animal and plant species that call the Cape home. (From Cape Henlopen State Park)
• Saturday, July 23
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Discover Geology of White Clay Creek! Touch rocks and minerals that created White Clay Creek’s watershed and learn how geologists can read Earth’s history in these pieces of our planet.

• Sunday, July 24

  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Bringing the Zoo to You! Meet a few of the unique residents of Delaware’s own Brandywine Zoo and learn about where and how they live.
• Monday, July 25 – Senior Day
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Go Down in the Paw-Paw Patch! Learn about North America’s largest yet little-known native fruit tree, the pawpaw, and its role in the life of the zebra swallowtail butterfly. (From Alapocas Run/Wilmington State Parks)
  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Wiggly Worms at Work! See red wiggler worms at work in a compost bin and discover how these dirt-dwellers help us by creating soil. (From Bellevue State Park)
• Tuesday, July 26 – Kids Day
  • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Meet Tropo! DNREC’s Division of Air Quality’s big blue mascot will entertain visitors while promoting the importance of clean air in Delaware. Shows on the half hour.
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Build Your Own Horseshoe Crab! Kids of all ages are invited to color and create their own model horseshoe crab, and learn more about this unique aquatic species. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)
  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Make Slate Cutting Tools! Learn how primitive cultures created slate cutting tools and practice your own primitive skills with a park naturalist. (From Killens Pond State Park)
• Wednesday, July 27 – Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Maritime History and Beach Creatures! Learn about Delaware’s seafaring past and try tying sailor’s knots … then get to know beach-dwelling terrapins and osprey. (From the Indian River Life-Saving Station)
  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Play Colonial Games! Costumed interpreters on the DNREC building porch invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times. (From the First State Heritage Park)
  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Travel Back to the Civil War Days! Interpreters in period costume invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children’s infantry drills. (From Fort Delaware State Park)
• Thursday, July 28 – Governors Day/Senior Day
  • 11 a.m. – Noon: Join DNREC’s Volunteer Olympics! Get a taste of some of the volunteer opportunities DNREC offers by competing in fast and fun games including beach grass planting and horseshoe crab counting … with prizes.
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Play Operation Think Tank! Answer quiz questions about water, its uses and sources and what we can do to protect this vital resource. (From Brandywine Creek State Park)
  • 1 – 2 p.m.: DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion! DNREC’s Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament winners, Wetland Warriors, Volunteers of the Year, Hunting and Fishing Photo Contest winners and Rain Barrel Art Contest winners will be recognized. Also, get a close-up look at DNREC’s largest environmental Emergency Response Team vehicle, known as “The Beast.”
  • 2 p.m.: Rain Barrel Know-How! Learn how to assemble your own rain barrel and start storing water for many uses in your own yard. (From DNREC’s Watershed Assessment and Management Section)

  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Meet Creatures from the Bay! Touch live horseshoe crabs and other aquatic species from the Delaware Bay in a touch tank and play games and activities with the staff of the DuPont Nature Center.

• Friday, July 29
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Skins, Scat and Tracks – and a Living Fossil! Two fascinating programs from the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve: a close-up look at identifying animals by their tracks, scat and skins, and a look at Delaware’s resident living fossil, the horseshoe crab. Presentations at noon, 1 and 2 p.m.
  • 3 – 6 p.m.: Living Life in a Swamp! Learn about the animals that live in wetland areas and meet two swamp-dwellers: a box turtle and a corn snake. (From Trap Pond State Park)
  • 4:30 – 9 p.m.: How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (On the DNREC Bldg. porch)
• Saturday, July 30
  • Noon – 3 p.m.: Living Life in a Swamp! Learn about the animals that live in wetland areas and meet two swamp-dwellers: a box turtle and a corn snake. (From Trap Pond State Park)
  • 3-6 p.m.: Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware! Meet those often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in our wetlands, woods and waterways. (From Killens Pond State Park)
  • 5 p.m.: Live Music with Switchback! Local band Switchback brings their upbeat mix of rock and pop to DNREC’s front porch.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 262

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