HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.025 2022-2024 p/60EAG
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From: Melinda Hughes
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 11:26 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written Comments on Bill 48
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Please forward my comments below to the County Council! Mahalo! �+
Sincerely,
Melinda
LJ
CD
Aloha! My name is Melinda Hughes, and I'm the Director of Policy, Equity, and Culture at Yummet. First, I want to thank
you for your commitment to climate action. As we know, Hawaii is extremely susceptible to climate change and
subsequent effects like sea level rise, food insecurity, etc.
I speak in support of Bill 48, which in passing will take your commitment to addressing climate change to the next level.
In passing this bill, it not only shows your commitment but shows your constituents that as a council you will take
significant issues seriously and work together to solve them.
Since 2005, my decades-long environmental career has been focused on addressing climate change, and I've worked
with countless jurisdictions. In passing bills like Bill 48,this has led to other opportunities including funding for climate,
more staffing for climate, and more credibility with your voting constituents and beyond. Last year, working across a
region, we saw a 600%increase in staffing dedicated to climate action, an increased funding for climate action, and
jurisdictions taking further steps like implementing a "climate lens" and an "equity lens" in major and minor
jurisdictional decisions.
A little more about me, besides what I've mentioned above, I've worked with all levels of - local, state, federal, and
international, working in the nonprofit and government sector on a variety of topics- brownfields, solid waste, energy,
electrification and decarbonization, watershed and ecosystem management, tree and habitat preservation, wildlife
protection, sustainable building and agriculture, as well as community planning and outreach. I also have a Masters in
Environmental Law and Policy with focuses in Energy Law and Climate Law, and I've presented at the United Nations in
Geneva and at the World Water Forum in Kyoto,Japan.
Hawaii Island needs you to continue to focus on climate action, not only for today but for the countless generations that
come after us.That's the only way there will be a Hawaii for our children and grandchildren.Again, passing Bill 48 is a
win and an equitable one!Thank you for your time.
Comm. No. 11.19
Ref. To: P I OUEAr(,
1 Ref. Date MAY 1 6 2023