Hawaii House Bill HCR132

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/28/22
• Refer: 3/28/22

Caption

Urging The Federal Government To Develop A National Biodiversity Strategy.

Impact

The resolution outlines a framework for the federal government to ensure the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in the United States. It calls for a coordinated approach that includes various stakeholders such as local, state, and tribal governments, as well as civil society and indigenous peoples. The goals set forth include restoring ecosystem activities, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and addressing local environmental stressors that threaten biodiversity. This strategy aims to enhance the resilience of ecosystems, which provides critical benefits to communities and the economy.

Summary

HCR132 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii aimed at urging the federal government to create a national biodiversity strategy. This resolution arises from Hawaii's unique ecological, cultural, and economic relationships with its natural environment and highlights the urgent biodiversity crisis affecting both the state and the country. It acknowledges that irresponsible resource management threatens many species and ecosystems, directly affecting the health and well-being of Hawaii's population and its Native Hawaiian communities. The resolution emphasizes the necessity of protecting biodiversity for future generations.

Contention

One notable point of contention concerns the lack of adequate federal funding and action to support biodiversity conservation despite Hawaii being home to a significant portion of the nation's endangered species. The resolution points out that only a fraction of available federal funds are allocated to protect these species, which disproportionately impacts Native Hawaiian communities that rely on these ecosystems for their cultural identity and overall well-being. By advocating for a national strategy, HCR132 seeks to confront these challenges directly and calls for a unified governmental response to the biodiversity crisis.