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' , Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Climate Adaptation Actions to �
<br /> IntegratedBuild Local Resilience to Climate Change WPM
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<br /> Cascade Narrative
<br /> Human activities are increasing greenhouse gas emissions globally to
<br /> levels that are changing the climate and the Earth's ecosystem.
<br /> The natural carbon cycle includes sources that emit GHGs and sinks that sequester GHGs.
<br /> Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. The
<br /> "greenhouse gas effect" occurs when GHGs trap heat by impeding the release of infrared light waves
<br /> back into the atmosphere. Before 1850, global sources and sinks maintained a stable cycle of GHGs
<br /> and therefore stable temperature patterns. Since 1850, GHGs have been released at unprecedented
<br /> levels, creating today's climate crisis. In 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
<br /> reported that anthropogenic (human-originated) emissions are the cause of global climate change.26
<br /> In 2017, Hawaii County produced 2,779,683 metric tons of GHGs.21 As of 2023, GHG sources in
<br /> Hawaii County include emissions from burning of fossil fuels and biofuels for energy and transportation
<br /> and from decomposition of organic and inorganic waste. GHGs are emitted to support community
<br /> systems such as electricity, transportation, waste, and industries from agriculture to healthcare to
<br /> tourism. Simultaneously, the cycle of land development and underdevelopment has led to deforestation
<br /> and biodiversity loss, decreasing natural carbon sinks on Hawaii Island. The early 20th century
<br /> expansion of plantation and cattle industries followed by the contraction of farming and ranching in the
<br /> 21 sl century were major drivers of these impacts. Deforestation and biodiversity loss will continue
<br /> without increased investment in appropriately managing our open spaces.
<br /> As the effects of climate change emerge, so does the urgency to understand how to reduce emissions
<br /> and ensure equity while pursuing solutions. While Hawaii County's contribution to global emissions
<br /> may be small by proportion, it's essential that we take responsibility for our contribution to global
<br /> climate change and reduce our sources of emissions alongside the rest of the world.
<br /> Increasing use of fossil fuels to generate electricity for commercial,
<br /> industrial, and residential activity emits increasing amounts of
<br /> greenhouse gases.
<br /> Hawaii Island has a long history of utilizing renewable energy. In 1890, Hilo was the site of one of the
<br /> first hydropower projects in the state.28 Hawaii Island also has the state's only geothermal plant, Puna
<br /> Geothermal Ventures, founded in 1993.29 In 2022, Hawaiian Electric has made a commitment to cut its
<br /> 26 IPCC (2021)Climate Change 2021:The Physical Science Basis.Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report
<br /> of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change[Masson-Delmotte,V., P.Zhai,A. Pirani, S.L. Connors, C. Pean, S. Berger, N.
<br /> Caud,Y. Chen, L. Goldfarb, M.I. Gomis, M. Huang, K. Leitzell, E. Lonnoy,J.B.R. Matthews,T.K. Maycock,T.Waterfield, O.Yelekgi,
<br /> R.Yu, and B.Zhou (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, In press,
<br /> doi:10.1017/9781009157896.
<br /> 27 County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development. (2021). Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2017.County of
<br /> Hawai`i.https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/304504/637834584810900000. Note: Emissions calculations do
<br /> not include emissions from volcanic eruptions,although these emissions amplify the impacts of human-caused emissions on health.
<br /> 28 Hawaiian Electric. (2023). https:Ilhawaiiainelectric.com
<br /> 29 Hawaii Energy Facts&Figures (2020). Hawaii State Energy Office. https://energy.hawaii.gov/wp-
<br /> content/uploads/2020/11/HSEO_FactsAndFigures-2020.pdf
<br /> Climate Cascade 1:Greenhouse Gas Emissions 18
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