Urging The State To Reject Energy Sources Found To Be Harmful Or Destabilizing To Our Climate System And Environment And To Commit To Renewable Energy And The Values Of Hawaii's Residents.
The resolution acknowledges the significant role that new fossil fuel projects, especially those related to liquefied natural gas (LNG), play in exacerbating climate issues. It identifies methane, a powerful greenhouse gas emitted throughout the LNG supply chain, as a key factor contributing to global warming. The adoption of SR89 would signal a critical pivot in state energy policy, indicating that financial and regulatory support for LNG and similar fossil fuel initiatives would be curtailed to align with climate goals, mirroring the recommendations from scientific consensus.
Senate Resolution 89 (SR89) urges the State of Hawaii to reject energy sources deemed harmful to the climate and environment, emphasizing a commitment to renewable energy. It recognizes the urgent need to address climate change, highlighted by the global crisis caused by fossil fuel pollution, which has resulted in severe impacts on Hawaii, including rising temperatures, natural disasters, and loss of biodiversity. The resolution posits that immediate actions toward a transition from fossil fuels to safer, green renewable energy sources are imperative to mitigate these concerns.
A notable point of contention surrounds the practice of fracking, which is associated with the extraction of LNG and poses substantial environmental and health risks. Fracking is criticized for its detrimental effects on water quality and public health, raising serious concerns about its use in energy production. The resolution's call to cease investment in fossil fuels opposes the interests of those advocating for traditional energy sources, signaling potential conflict between continuing established energy practices and moving toward sustainable alternatives.