HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0279.035 2022-2024 P / Co GAC
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From: Paula Miller
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 9:57 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony in Support of Bill 48: Creation of the Office of Sustainability, Ciffnate,
Equity, and Resilience (OSCER)
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Honorable Members of the Government Operations and External Affairs Committee, w
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I encourage you to support Bill 48, which proposes the creation of the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equiiy, and
Resilience(OSCER) in Hawai'i County.
This bill is a crucial first step to address the challenges posed by climate change, promoting sustainability, and building
resilience in our community.
OSCER will coordinate and manage policies to promote sustainability and resilience and will play a pivotal role in
mitigating the effects of climate change.
The key strengths of Bill 48 include:
• Its focus on equity and environmental justice to ensure that the benefits of the office's programs reach all residents of
the county.
• The elevation of OSCER to the cabinet level will enable coordinated action and will foster collaboration and synergy
among different departments for effective policy implementation.
• The establishment of a Climate Action Revolving Fund, as proposed in the bill, will support policies and programs that
align with the objectives of OSCER while generating cost savings for the county.The Fund will create a self-sustaining
cycle of progress for the long-term success of our sustainability efforts.
• OSCER is based on the collective impact model with an emphasis on collaboration, shared metrics, and stakeholder
communication.
• OSCER will serve as a coordinating and administrative entity, enabling us to maximize our impact and effectively
address the implementation gaps in our sustainability, climate, and resilience plans.
In conclusion, I urge the Government Operations and External Affairs Committee to support Bill 48 and recommend its
passage to the Hawaii County Council.
Mahalo,
Paula Miller
Ninole, HI
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1 Ref. nate MAY 1 6 2021