Hawaii Climate Week to spotlight challenges and solutions to climate change

Hawaii Climate Week will kick off Monday with Climate Action Day and a State Climate Conference aimed at bringing awareness to the challenges and solutions of climate change.

The Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission is organizing the conference from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday that will be held in person in Honolulu and virtually on YouTube. The conference will highlight existing actions and next steps to ensure readiness for the effects of climate change in the only state in the nation whose legislature has declared a climate emergency, according to a news release from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

“Climate change is an urgent issue for everyone in Hawaii,” said DLNR Chairperson Dawn Chang, who also serves as cochairperson of the commission. “Successful mitigation and adaptation require both comprehensive education and action. We’re stepping up to the challenge of leading the world with our response to climate change.”

Climate Action Day will feature Gov. Josh Green speaking on statewide climate actions and other leaders addressing topics including legislation, youth action, community cooling, shorelines, mobility and green investments.

Other events held during Climate Week will include a Youth Summit, Science Summit, a discussion on Pacific Island women at the United Nation’s climate change conference known as COP27 and an Energy Policy Forum. Green will speak at the forum as well.

“We can already see the impacts of climate change on our lands, ocean, economy, and livelihoods,” said Scott Glenn, director of the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and co-chairperson of the commission. “This means impacted communities need a place at the table. Events like Climate Action Day provide an important opportunity for this to occur.”

For more information and to view the full Climate Week schedule, visit climate.hawaii .gov/hawaii-climate-week2023/.