HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0494.025 2018-2020 COUNTY CLERK _ P/AWEMC.
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I COMM.LIqH
RECEIVED���{{{...///���...
Time 12.iOOOM
Date 9/5_ la
support for Resolution 322-19: Declares a Hawai'i County Climate Emergency
and Mobilization Effort To Restore Safe Climate
Aloha County Council Members,
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
reported last week, September 24, 2019, that melting of the two great ice sheets
blanketing Greenland and West Antarctica is speeding and accelerating sea level
rise. Also West Antarctica's glaciers may already be so unstable that they are
past the point of no return.
Our changing climate is harming fisheries, coral reefs, coastlines, and
the people that rely upon them to survive. From warming oceans that wreak
havoc on our marine ecosystems and lead to deadly hurricanes and storms, to
accelerating sea-level rise that will lead to yearly, devastating floods across
the United States, we are a critical tipping point.
Thus I am asking you to support Resolution 322-19 Declaration of a
Climate Emergency and Requesting Mobilization to Restore a Safe Climate.
These are very complicated and difficult times. One way to deal with this
situation is to establish an Environmental Coordinator Office to bring
environmental concerns before decision makers and coordinate a broad range
of environmental issues among different departments.
I proposed this as a resolution for the 2016 State Democratic Party
•
Convention and it passed unanimously. I am including a copy of this
proposal to encourage your thoughts in this regard and as a way to proceed
in dealing with such a wide array of issues.
Mahalo for your concern and action in this matter.
Mary Marvin Porter
Island Eyes Video
Kea'au Hawai'i
808-982-9100
n u
Comm. No '11l`1-`'�J
Ref.To:
P 1' Vg nc,
Ref. Date OCT 01 2019
ENV 2016-02 To Establish County Environmental Coordinator Offices
- Whereas, The Planetary ecosystem is under severe threat from Climate Change, and warnings of rising
tides, rising temperatures, coral bleaching, more hurricanes, and mosquito-borne infectious diseases; and
Whereas, Not only is there Global Warming around the planet, but also in Hawai'i, land and sea is getting
hotter; and
Whereas, Temperature rise has resulted in the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools being too
uncomfortably hot to hold classes and necessitating installing air-conditioners; and
Whereas, Trees bring rain and cooling temperatures; and
Whereas, Our native forest ecosystem and watershed especially need to be protected and not needlessly
bulldozed for house lots; and
Whereas, The Puna Community Development Plan calls for the Hawaii County Council by 2012 to
"Establish an Office of County Ecologist within the Planning Department" (Malama I Ka 'Aina Action
2.2.3.C) and this has not happened; and
Whereas, Maui County has an Environmental Coordinator Office, which offers an excellent example of
action with ecological concern; and
Whereas,An Environmental Coordinator Office for each of the counties is much needed to maintain the
well being of Hawai`i; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Democratic Party of Hawai'i encourages each County to establish an Environmental
Coordinator Office similar to Maui's; and be it further
Resolved, That the Environmental Coordinator Office serves as an advocate to ensure that environmental
concerns are brought before decision makers and will respond to and coordinate a broad range of
environmental issues among different departments, including: Native Forest Ecosystems, Watershed
Protection, Invasive Species, Agricultural Sustainability, Renewable Energy, Marine Protection, and
Environmental Justice; and be it further
Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Hawaii, and all members of the
County Councils of each island that are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.