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Table 14. Climate Mitigation Opportunities <br />By focusing on the following areas, Hawaii County can make significant strides in reducing its greenhouse <br />gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change. <br />Transportation • Promoting the use of electric vehicles through expanding charging infrastructure. <br />• Enhancing public transportation options to reduce reliance on personal vehicles. <br />• Developing greater opportunities for active transportation. <br />• Support the production of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and biofuels, for transportation needs. <br />Renewable • Generating energy locally can create more well -paying jobs in the energy field. <br />Energy • Increasing the use of green technology will increase the energy independence of individuals and <br />businesses on the island. <br />• Supporting renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, ocean thermal energy conversion <br />(OTEC), and geothermal. <br />Land Use & • Well -planned development can increase individual agency and access to multimodal transportation. <br />the Built • Implementing smart growth strategies can reduce urban sprawl and create more walkable <br />Environment communities. <br />• Developing a County building code that balances health and safety, affordability, and carbon <br />footprint. <br />• Encouraging the construction of energy -efficient buildings and retrofitting existing buildings. <br />• Promoting regenerative agriculture practices that reduce emissions and enhance carbon <br />sequestration. <br />• Greening urban areas increases the availability of cool areas for residents to live and recreate. <br />• Integrating energy savings and waste management provides an opportunity to mitigate greenhouse <br />gas emissions in new development. <br />Waste • Pursuing innovative solutions, such as OTEC and waste -to -energy technology, to help achieve waste <br />Management management goals. <br />• Reducing waste decreases toxic runoff and water table pollution, supporting healthy watersheds and <br />soil. <br />• Improving wastewater treatment technologies can protect reefs and therefore the industries and <br />species that rely on them. <br />• Increasing the repurposing of waste can create local jobs and support businesses. <br />• Expanding recycling programs to reduce landfill waste and promote the circular economy. <br />• Increasing composting of organic waste to reduce methane emissions from landfills. <br />Conservation • Protecting reefs and marine ecosystems that act as carbon sinks. <br />• Implementing a One Water strategy and other water -saving technologies and practices can reduce <br />the energy required for water treatment and distribution. <br />• Conserving natural habitats to preserve biodiversity and enhance ecosystem resilience to climate <br />change. <br />• Conservation of forest canopy and reforestation increases the recharge of aquifers. <br />• Efforts to expand renewable energy can consider the preservation of unique and diverse ecosystems, <br />avoiding negative impacts on wildlife and natural habitats. <br />Economic • Diversified economic activities can improve resiliency for the visitor and agriculture industries. <br />Resilience • Climate mitigation strategies can develop new industries and increase economic opportunities. <br />Additional • Improving public engagement about climate change and encouraging sustainable practices. <br />Measures • Implementing policies and regulations that support climate mitigation efforts. <br />• Supporting research into new technologies and approaches for reducing emissions and enhancing <br />resilience. <br />3.0 Addressing Climate Change for Island -Wide Health I County of Hawaii General Plan <br />T*O <br />