Designating Hawaii's Coral Reefs As Critical Natural Infrastructure And Strongly Supporting Nature-based Solutions Such As Coral Reef Restoration For Risk Reduction.
The resolution recognizes the threats posed to coral reefs by climate change, particularly through rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and ocean acidification. These environmental changes threaten the state’s infrastructure and community livelihoods, emphasizing the need for effective management and restoration efforts. SCR41 calls for political and financial support mechanisms to facilitate coral restoration projects as a form of hazard mitigation, thus underlining the correlation between ecological health and economic prosperity in Hawaii.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 (SCR41) emphasizes the critical role of Hawaii's coral reefs as natural infrastructure vital for the ecosystem's health and the state's economy. The resolution highlights the importance of healthy coral reefs in mitigating risks associated with flooding and climate change. It cites studies showing that healthy reefs can absorb up to ninety-seven percent of wave energy, protecting coastal properties and infrastructure estimated to be worth around $836 million annually. Additionally, the coral reef ecosystem supports local fishing, tourism, and cultural practices, contributing significantly to Hawaii's economy, which relies heavily on its natural resources and tourism industry.
The resolution also establishes a basis for state involvement in coral restoration, compelling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consider Hawaii's political support for nature-based solutions when directing funding and resources for projects aimed at coral reef restoration. The bill, however, could encounter challenges related to funding allocation and the integration of such ecological strategies into broader disaster management policies, especially as competing interests in resource management and environmental protection surface.