Sierra Club: Hawai‘i’s Commitment to Paris Accord Inspirational

Supporters of the bill from Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Hawaiʻi Center for Food Safety, Young Progressives Demanding Action and more joined Gov. David Ige and other legislators at the bill signing ceremony. Courtesy photo.

Sierra Club members joined the celebration at the Hawai‘i State Capitol on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, when Gov. David Ige signed a bill adopting certain commitments from the Paris Climate Agreement as state goals, making Hawaiʻi the first state to join the Paris Climate Agreement.

The bill signing ceremony attracted a hundred people from environmental agencies and advocacy groups, as well as businesses and concerned residents.

“Signing this bill demonstrates the strength of local governments and communities to inspire significant positive change in the world,” said Marti Townsend, director for the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi. “In committing to reduce our local greenhouse gas production, Hawaiʻi is inspiring every community throughout the U.S. and the world to do its part as well.”

The governor was flanked by representatives from each of the four counties in Hawaiʻi, who also presented proclamations committing to significantly reduce Hawaiʻi’s greenhouse gases.

“I am here today because I know that without a habitable planet, we will not have a functioning economy,” said Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi volunteer Sai Weiss. “Hawaiʻi is joining 1,400 other communities and businesses that are doubling down on the commitment to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save our environment. This just shows that together we can save the planet.”

S.B. 559 and H.B.1578 dedicate staff and funds to an interagency commission on climate change, outline specific goals for reducing climate-harming pollution, and establish a task force to encourage agricultural practices that capture carbon in the soil.

About the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi
Formed in 1968, the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi has over 20,000 members and supporters working throughout the islands to stop climate change, ensure climate justice for all and protect Hawaiʻi’s unique natural resources. The Sierra Club is the largest, oldest environmental organization in the U.S. it relies on volunteers to support outdoor education programs, trail and native species restoration projects, and grassroots advocacy for sound environmental policies.