How Pollution and Erosion Are Changing South Jersey
South Jersey is home to some of the East Coast’s most beautiful beaches, thriving wetlands, and close-knit coastal towns. It’s a region where nature and community have long coexisted, attracting both visitors and locals with its scenic charm and peaceful pace of life. But underneath the surface, South Jersey is struggling with a growing environmental crisis. From rising sea levels and stronger coastal storms to worsening pollution and the loss of natural habitats, the threats are mounting. Coastal erosion, water contamination, and shrinking wetlands are not just harming the environment—they are endangering homes, health, and local economies. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward protecting what remains and planning for a safer, more sustainable future.
Coastal Erosion Is Reaching Critical Levels
Coastal erosion has become one of the most serious threats facing South Jersey. It’s not just a matter of beaches getting smaller—entire sections of shoreline are disappearing over time. Waves, tides, and storm surges wear away sand and soil, especially during high tides and rough weather. Sea level rise, driven by climate change, makes the problem worse by allowing the ocean to reach further inland with each passing year. Popular destinations like Avalon and Stone Harbor have lost significant stretches of beachfront. Many towns have had to spend millions on emergency beach nourishment—bringing in sand to rebuild what was lost. But this is often only a temporary fix. If the erosion continues unchecked, vital infrastructure, homes, and public spaces will be in danger of being lost to the sea permanently.
Stronger Storms Are Speeding Up the Damage
South Jersey has always dealt with storms, but recent years have brought a new level of intensity. Climate scientists warn that hurricanes and nor’easters are becoming more powerful and more frequent. These storms bring high winds, heavy rainfall, and powerful storm surges that rapidly accelerate coastal erosion. During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, many towns saw dramatic changes to their shorelines in just a few days. Homes were flooded, boardwalks were torn apart, and dunes that took years to build were washed away overnight. Even smaller storms now pose a serious threat, especially when they hit during high tides. The cost of repairing the damage adds up quickly. Many municipalities are struggling to keep up with repeated cleanups, and residents are left worrying about how much more their communities can take.
Pollution Is Harming Water and Wildlife
While erosion grabs most of the headlines, pollution is quietly doing just as much damage to South Jersey’s environment. Runoff from farms, streets, and septic systems carries harmful chemicals and waste into local rivers, bays, and the ocean. In some places, high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus are causing algae blooms that kill fish and make water unsafe for swimming. Plastic pollution is also a growing concern. Beaches often turn up litter ranging from bottle caps and cigarette butts to fishing gear and plastic bags, which harm marine life and ruin the natural beauty of the coast. Wildlife in the region—from turtles and seabirds to fish and shellfish—are being exposed to toxins that affect their health and reproduction. Over time, entire ecosystems can collapse if pollution isn’t brought under control.
Development Pressures Add to the Problem
The demand for housing, commercial space, and new infrastructure has placed added pressure on South Jersey’s natural systems. As new developments take over wetlands, forests, and farmland, the land loses its natural ability to absorb stormwater and filter pollutants. This leads to more flooding, more pollution, and less biodiversity. Even well-intentioned development can have long-term impacts if environmental factors aren’t carefully considered. Paved surfaces like roads and parking lots increase runoff, sending oil, chemicals, and trash into the nearest waterway. Suburban expansion also brings more vehicles, more energy use, and more pressure on local resources. While growth is important for economic reasons, it must be balanced with strong protections for the land and water that support the region.
Wetlands and Marshes Are Disappearing
South Jersey’s wetlands and marshes are among its most valuable natural assets. These areas act as buffers against floods, filter harmful substances from water, and provide critical habitats for birds, fish, and insects. Yet, these ecosystems are being lost at an alarming rate. Rising sea levels are drowning some wetlands while others are being filled in for development. When a wetland disappears, so do all the services it provides. Flooding becomes more frequent and severe. Water quality declines as fewer natural filters are available. Birds and fish lose their breeding and feeding grounds. In many cases, once a wetland is gone, it can’t be brought back. The loss is permanent, and its effects ripple across the entire environment and the local economy.
Community Health Is at Risk
Environmental decline doesn’t just affect the land and water—it affects people, too. In many parts of South Jersey, the impacts of pollution and flooding are starting to show up in public health data. Exposure to poor air and water quality can lead to respiratory problems, skin rashes, and long-term illnesses like cancer. Standing water left behind after floods creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like West Nile Virus. Mold and mildew from repeated flooding cause indoor air issues, especially for children and the elderly. People living in lower-income neighborhoods are often the most at risk. They may not have the resources to move, rebuild, or protect their homes from future storms. This environmental injustice adds another layer of complexity to the region’s growing challenges.
Local Governments Are Taking Action
Despite limited resources, many towns and counties in South Jersey are stepping up to protect their communities and environments. Some are investing in beach replenishment projects, where sand is trucked in and spread across eroded areas. Others are building or reinforcing dunes with native grasses to slow down wave impact. Upgrades to storm drains and sewer systems are also underway in many areas to prevent future flooding. Green infrastructure—such as rain gardens, vegetated swales, and permeable pavement—is being introduced in both public and private spaces. These efforts help reduce runoff and filter water naturally. While these projects can’t stop climate change or undo decades of damage, they represent meaningful progress and demonstrate a growing awareness of the need for change at the local level.
Preservation Efforts Offer Hope
Although the challenges are serious, they’re not insurmountable. Across South Jersey, people are working hard to preserve what remains. Conservation groups are purchasing undeveloped land and placing it under permanent protection. Volunteers are planting trees, restoring dunes, and rebuilding oyster reefs to help protect shorelines and improve water quality. Some towns are encouraging green building techniques and solar energy to reduce their carbon footprint. There are also pilot programs using living shorelines—natural structures like marshes and rock barriers—to prevent erosion more effectively than concrete walls. These efforts show that with the right planning and support, it’s possible to restore damaged areas and build stronger, more resilient communities.
The Road Ahead Requires Long-Term Thinking
Looking ahead, the environment of South Jersey will need long-term thinking, bold leadership, and collaboration. Climate models predict rising sea levels, stronger storms with time, and increased environmental stress for the coming decades. With so many problems pressing, greater reliance on smart construction, planning, and investment in nature-based solutions can scarcely be avoided. Allowing land-use planning to consider risk from the environment would be of utmost importance. The policymakers must also consider conservation and pollution control. And most importantly, people should never stop getting involved. Through concerted effort and responsibility, the coast in South Jersey, cancer, and the future can be stood for.