STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1932

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 192

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 192 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAI‘I CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A PROACTIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY TO EDUCATE HAWAII'S RESIDENTS ABOUT THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop a proactive and comprehensive communication strategy to educate the State's residents about the health impacts of the climate crisis.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Blue Planet Foundation, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the public generally recognizes and understands the impacts of climate change on infrastructure and the built environment but have less of an understanding of the health impacts of climate change. Scientific consensus indicates public health will be impacted because climate change will increase the incidence of increased heat, vector-borne diseases, crop failure and food insecurity, water insecurity, waterborne diseases, extreme weather events, air pollution, and adverse mental health impacts due to these climate stressors and collective eco-grief, which refers to the deep sense of loss and overwhelming emotional response felt when learning about and experiencing the catastrophic destruction of the environment due to climate change. Your Committee believes that, as an island state, Hawaii remains particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and that more should be done to educate the State's residents about the extent to which climate change may impact public health and well-being. This measure will help to inform the public of the full spectrum of health risks posed by the climate crisis.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 192, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair