Office of climate change, sustainability

Office of climate change, sustainability and resiliency
City and County of Honolulu

A young office, charter mandated, created by voters
Voters pushed for climate change prevention and sustainability.
Government needs to lead by example
When office was created the climate change commission the created as well

Climate change is human made and we know where it comes from
It is a threat multiplier - air temperature can have electrical impacts, risk to human health, etc.
Continued growth in hazardous areas may also contribute to the disasters

They have measured significant climate changes over a century
-northeast trade winds are not as strong in Hawaii has climate impacts
Sea levels can be curved and but is more time

Climate is a now issue and can’t be put off

Climate ready Oahu - make sure people have a shared understanding of climate risk
1. Sea level rise and coastal erosion
2. Increasing temperatures
3. Rain Bomb - air is warmer can hold more moisture, comes down in buckets
4. Decreasing precipitation
5. Hurricane - high winds, heavy rains, storm surge

The change that is coming must be met with change
Created strategies, documents, and policies

The electricity on the islands must be 100% local no later than 2035
- need to transition off of coal and fuel
- Closing the only coal plant next year
- Have a regulatory structure to help keep progress/speed it up

Building codes help build the foundation of sustainability and efficiency

New bill that obligates large buildings to take data on their energy, agriculture, water, and make it public

Restoration helps with climate change

Used non profits to help out reach to indigenous peoples to help go back to traditional values and systems

Communication is important
- 4 county sustainability council that spans the Hawaiian IslandsRead more