Hawai‘i among global leaders in fighting climate change
Posted on Apr 26, 2021 in Capitol Connection, Featured, Main
Governor Ige joined special envoy John Kerry, energy secretary Jennifer Granholm and other global leaders for U.S. Climate Action Week.
In a series of high-profile U.S. Climate Action Week events viewed around the world last month, Governor Ige highlighted Hawai‘i’s leading role in addressing global warming and transition to renewable energy. The sessions focused on the United States’ renewed commitment under the Biden administration to take “bold action” on climate change and join with other nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The governor emphasized, “Hawai‘i was the first U.S. state to commit to 100 percent renewable power by 2045 —and we’re excited the Biden administration is looking to raise that ambition for the entire country.”
Protecting our island Earth.
The governor also joined several other U.S. Climate Alliance governors for a discussion of how the states and the Biden administration can expand economic opportunity through collaborative climate action. “Addressing climate issues can and should play a significant part in our pandemic recovery,” said Governor Ige. “Making the transition to renewable, indigenous resources for power generation allows us to keep at home at least $4 billion currently spent out of state for oil. We save on electricity bills and generate jobs—in turn improving our economy, environment and energy security.” He added, “As an electrical engineer and businessman, I understood (back in 2015) the future is 100 percent renewable. And even though we don’t know exactly what that future will look like, we do know that putting out that North Star, making that commitment was important to drive how we transform Hawai‘i’s economy.”
The national and international discussions included appearances by John Kerry, U.S. special presidential envoy for climate; Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Energy; and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, as well as leaders from other nations taking their own action on climate change. In one session, Kerry noted that of 11 communities nationwide selected to receive assistance through the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), two are from Hawai‘i. They include a clean transportation plan on Kaua‘i and a Hawaiian Electric hybrid microgrid mapping project.