New laws support goals of Paris climate
accord
Several Hawaii House representatives
joined their colleagues from the Senate, State Administration and all four
Counties today to support Gov. David Ige signing two environmental bills into
law.
HB 1578, which
establishes the Carbon Farming Task Force, and SB 559, which aligns Hawaii with
the principles and goals adopted in the Paris climate accord, are now law.
Following President
Donald J. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris agreement last week, Hawaii is now
the first state to enact laws to officially support the agreement.
“With
today's bill signings, Hawaii is all in - joining the world's leaders, cities
across the nation, businesses and individuals in combatting climate change
threats, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and leading the way towards a more
sustainable future,” said House Vice Speaker Rep. Della A. Belatti (Makiki,
Tantalus, Papakolea, McCully, Pawaa, Manoa). “The House believes that
developing stronger renewable energy and sustainable farming policies is not
only the right thing to do, it will also help create jobs and develop clean
industries that are critical to the future of our island home.”
Rep.
Chris Lee (Kailua, Waimanalo) was one of the introducers of House Bill 1578 and said the bill
establishes a process for local farmers to receive carbon credit dollars for
agricultural practices that sequester carbon dioxide.
“It's
important to commit to addressing climate change, but it's even more important
that we actually take meaningful action,” said Lee, Chair of the Energy &
Environmental Protection Committee. “These bills ensure local industries
continue to reduce emissions and empower local farmers for sequestering
carbon.”
More photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm2cofNz
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