HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 458 Draft 01 2020-2022 COUNTY OF HAWAFI STATE OF HAWAFI
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RESOLUTION O No. 458 22
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING HAWAII COUNTY'S ENDORSEMENT OF A FOSSIL
FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION T ATY TO AVERT CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE
CHANGE DISRUPTIONS.
WHEREAS,the scientific consensus is clear that human activities are primarily
responsible for accelerating the global climate change emergency that represents a preeminent
threat to global civilization; and
WHEREAS, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)reported in 2018
that we must achieve "net zero" greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions before 2050 in order to limit
global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius; and
WHEREAS, our community is being impacted by the health and safety risks of fossil
fuel expansion, particularly those who also face socioeconomic and health inequities, including
indigineous peoples, low-income families,those experiencing homelessness, and seniors; and
WHEREAS, people with health conditions caused or exacerbated by pollution from
fossil fuel extraction, transportation, or use are dying at a higher rate from COVID-19; and
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WHEREAS, our youth and generations to come are in danger due to a lack of equitable
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action to halt fossil fuel expansion, which causes major and lifelong health, ecological, social,
and economic impacts from prolonged and cumulative effects of climate change, which include
food and water shortages, infectious diseases, and natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, the Paris Climate Agreement is silent on coal, oil, and gas, an omission
with respect to the supply and production of fossil fuels, which is the largest source of GHGs and
needs to be collectively addressed by other means; and
WHEREAS, in May 2022, the Hawaii State Legislature adopted a resolution calling for
the State of Hawaii and all counties to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which
would provide an international mechanism to advance a fast and fair phase out of fossil fuel
production in line with both the Paris Agreement and United National Sustainable Development
Goals; and
WHEREAS, the 2021 Production Gap Report created by leading research organizations
such as the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), International Institute for Sustainable
Development, Overseas Development Institute, CICERO Centre for International Climate and
Environmental Research, and Climate Analytics estimates that global governments and fossil
fuel industries will produce approximately 120% more emissions by 2030 than necessary to limit
warming to 1.5°C and avert catastrophic climate disruption; and
WHEREAS, the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels
exposes communities to untenable risks to public health and safety at local and global levels; and
WHEREAS, the economic opportunities presented by a clean energy transition far
outweigh the opportunities presented by an economy supported by expanding fossil fuel use and
extraction; and
WHEREAS, aggressive goals should be set for a resilient future that will tackle the
climate emergency with accelerated targets through a lens of equity, to strengthen our economy
and our middle class, and set Hawaii County on a course to be carbon neutral well before 2050;
and
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility and moral obligation of governments, non-
government organizations, and the business community to lead towards ending fossil fuel
development and to manage the decline of existing production; and
WHEREAS, beyond an international Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, tangible
actions must be taken by the Mayor and people of the County of Hawaii to equitably
decarbonize the economy; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that with
the concurrence of the Mayor, the County of Hawaii endorses the call for and urges the United
States to enter into a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and make such non-proliferation the
centerpiece of its national security policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Hawaii affirms its commitment to
exceed the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the greenhouse gas emissions reduction
targets as called for by the IPCC to keep global warming well below 1.5°C.
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BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall submit a copy of this
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resolution to the Honorable President Joseph R. Biden Jr.,the Honorable Governor David Y. g ,
the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, and the Honorable Mayor Mitchell D. Roth.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 19th day of July , 2022 •
INTRODUCED BY:
/
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i • CHUNG X
DAVID X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
County of Hawaii on July 19, 2022
KIERKIEWICZ X
KIMBALL X
ATTEST: LEE LOY X
RICHARDS X .
VILLEGAS X
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.; ` eg-4111.'. 'fReference: C-868/Waived
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7 • &PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 458 22
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