Hawaii aligns with goals of Paris climate accord

Hawaii became the first state in the nation to enact portions of the Paris climate agreement into law Tuesday with Gov. David Ige signing Senate Bill 559.

“Our island communities lead the way when it comes to climate change impacts and policies,” Ige said at a bill signing ceremony at the state Capitol, flanked by state lawmakers, county representatives and environmentalists. “Many of the greatest challenges of our day hit us first, and that also means that we need to be first when it comes to creating solutions. We are the testing grounds. As an island state we are especially aware of the limits on our natural environment.”

Senate Bill 559 was introduced by Sen. J. Kalani Eng­lish (D, Molokai-Lanai-East Maui) earlier this year amid concerns that President Donald Trump would pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement. The global agreement, signed by leaders of all but two nations last year, required countries to set targets for reducing emissions.

Trump announced last week that he was indeed withdrawing the U.S. from the accord. In response, hundreds of governors, mayors, business leaders, scientists and college and university presidents throughout the country have signed pledges to continue efforts to combat climate change.

Ige also signed House Bill 1578 into law Tuesday, which establishes the Carbon Farming Task Force to identify agricultural and aquaculture practices that could improve soil health and promote carbon sequestration.

Joining Ige in the Capitol’s atrium Tuesday were Mayor Kirk Caldwell and representatives of the other county mayors, who all signed proclamations supporting efforts to combat and prepare for climate change.

The proclamations, which cite the Trump administration’s “abandonment of American leadership,” commit the counties to developing community greenhouse gas inventories, setting near- and long-term targets for reducing emissions, and developing climate action plans.