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Groups Gift Garrett With 'Climate Change Denier' Award

Environmentalists dole out unicorn-fashioned award for conservative congressman's position on global warming

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-5th) received quite a gift on Tuesday. 

A group of New Jersey environmentalists presented the conservative congressman’s staff with an award for his “extreme, anti-science views.”

Chanting, “It’s hot, Scott,” and flashing homemade signs outside Garrett’s Glen Rock district office, The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and Organization for Action railed against the Sussex congressman’s views on climate change.

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“Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges,” NJLCV Executive Director Ed Potosnak said, remarking that the Jersey Shore “will be no more” if “aggressive action” isn’t taken. “As humans, we have created this problem and we have to stand up against it... Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree, yet many in Congress either refuse to act or, worse, join Rep. Garrett — with only a 11 percent lifetime LCV score — in denying that the problem even exists.”

The rally was a part of a nationwide initiative organized by the group’s national chapter, which intended “to hold legislators accountable for their positions and for their votes,” Potosnak said.

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“I’ve heard from a number of experts from both sides of the equation on this issue and to me, the evidence – the question is still out there,” Garrett said in a 2010 interview with The Record. Continuing, Garrett said he didn't believe Congress should be taking action until those "questions are answered."

The congressman was out of the office and unavailable to receive the award – designed as a unicorn, which protesters said symbolized Garrett living in a “fantasy land” — but District Director Rob Pettet accepted it in his absence. He invited two representatives from the group into the office for a discussion.

Rosemary Dreger Carey of the North Jersey Public Policy Network joined Tom Bugell of Wyckoff in the congressman’s office to discuss climate change with Pettet.

“I’m a child of the ‘60s,” Pettet said. “Even though I may disagree, I like to see people believe in what they believe in and out there doing it.”

Pellett said there was a “possibility” Garrett will meet with the environmentalists in the future.

“I can promise that I can learn a little bit more and bring it back to the congressman,” Pettet said.


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