Hawaii's
Role
Four pounds per person per hour
We're not innocent.
In fact, Hawai`i contributes roughly 22 million tons of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide equivalent) to the atmosphere annually. This equates to roughly 17 tons annually per Hawai`i resident – among the highest in the world. It is Hawaii’s kuleana, or responsibility, to address its contribution to the problem.
Won’t limiting our global warming emissions hurt our economy?
While we know putting Waikiki under water will likely hurt our economy, limiting our carbon emissions has a very good chance of helping it. The vast majority of Hawaii’s greenhouse gas emissions are generated by burning fossil fuels, 100% of which are imported. A substantial amount of Hawaii’s gross state product leaves the state’s economy to purchase fossil fuels – over $3 billion annually.
Hawaii’s economy is incredibly vulnerable to any fluctuations in the
price of oil.
Hawai`i pays the highest energy prices in the United States, giving clean
energy an attractive economic margin over fossil energy sources as compared
with other areas. Given the growing availability of commercial, off-the-shelf
renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment, accelerated global research
in clean energy technologies, and absolute uncertainty in the stability of
oil price and availability, the long-term reduction goals described in the
Global Warming Solutions Act are not only feasible, but Hawaii’s preferred
path to economic security.
The transition will require a diverse portfolio of energy efficiency, indigenous energy, and clean transportation solutions. HB 226 will send a market signal to those in the clean energy and efficiency industries that Hawai’i is open for business. Finally, Hawai`i can position itself as a global leader in clean energy solutions and create a knowledge-based export economy to help other states and countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
© 2007 Rising Tide Hawai`i.