Persistent Resistance to Save the World
As the flames go out at the #NoDAPL camps and the Trump Administration prepares to gut certain environmental protections, find strength in knowing the resistance to a climate-killing economy is taking root in communities across the globe. Collectively, we are the planet’s best defense, and we are not giving up. The global fight to save our home manifests itself in Hawaiʻi via:
- Dramatic clean energy policies that make communities everywhere safer by ending our dependence on fossil fuels and promoting climate-saving practices. This is HB1580 establishing a zero emissions ground transportation system, HB848 allowing the UH to generate its own renewable energy, and SB665 offering tax incentives for renewable energy. As well as, HB1578 promoting climate-friendly farming, SB1088 piloting a local, certified carbon-capturing forestry program, and SB559 adopting the Paris Climate Agreement as state law.
- Divestment campaigns to cut-off funding for deadly fossil fuel projects. This applies to local financial leaders like First Hawaiian Bank, as well as Hawaiian Electric utility itself. Hawaiʻi made the commitment to a 100% clean energy future, it is time these local financial institutions stand with us in that commitment. Get ready for shareholder meetings in throughout April. Sign up here to receive updates.
- Doubling-down on Red Hill to make sure the spilled fuel is cleaned up and all future spills are prevented because that is what is necessary to protect our children’s water. Federal law gives Hawaiʻi’s Department of Health the authority to regulate ALL underground storage tanks, even those operated by the military, and we will help make sure they do that. Our next meeting is March 11th, email jodi.malinoski@sierraclub.org for details.
Now that the EPA is on the chopping block, Hawaiʻi needs to ensure it has every tool available to protect our own natural and cultural resources. We need to fully fund our state and local agencies responsible for enforcing Hawaiʻi’s laws and regulations that protect our natural resources since we can no longer rely on the EPA to protect our public health and environment for us. We know what needs to be done. And we can do it. Already communities are cutting off the fossil fuel industry with bold commitments to clean energy, divesting from fossil fuels, and introducing bills to empower their state to guard against the dissolution of the EPA. Saving the planet for future generations starts right here at home, so please help support the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi.