HCR155

WHEREAS, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that the global climate is warming and projects an increase in global mean surface temperatures of two to six degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the 21^st century, leading to an increase in the sea level of six to 37 inches; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's sea level has risen six to 14 inches per century, and is expected to rise another 17 to 25 inches by 2100, resulting in flooding of low-lying property, erosion of beautiful beaches, saltwater contamination of our drinking water, and decreased longevity of low-lying roads, causeways, and bridges; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii would be directly affected by worsening global weather patterns that can cause potentially catastrophic effects on coastal areas; and

WHEREAS, recent weather patterns have created warming trends that have jeopardized the health and well-being of residents of communities and the natural resources on which they rely; and

WHEREAS, the recent heavy rains, flooding, and erosion have negatively affected all communities across the state as well as the state's agricultural and tourism industries by causing substantial damage to property, and have resulted in the tragic loss of lives; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive plan to address, prevent, or mitigate negative effects of climate change and address economic effects on the state will help save lives, protect public health, preserve economic and resource development, and protect valuable infrastructure; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health's Environmental Health Administration is requested to establish a task force to devise a comprehensive plan to address the negative effects of climate change and global warming on the welfare and economy of the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of 13 members as follows:

(1) Two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate President;

(2) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(3) The Deputy Director of the Department of Health's Environmental Health Administration or the Deputy Director's designee;

(4) A member from the University of Hawaii's (UH) School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology;

(5) A member from UH's Environmental Center;

(6) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism or the Director's designee;

(7) The Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's (DBEDT) Office of Planning or the Director's designee;

(8) The Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources or the Chair's designee;

(9) The Director of Transportation or the Director's designee; and

(10) Two representatives from environmental-related organizations;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include the following in its comprehensive plan:

(1) An assessment of the current and potential effects of climate-warming trends on residents, natural resources, public health, and economy of the state, in particular the adverse effects on natural resource development, transportation, community, and resource development infrastructures;

(2) An estimate of the costs to the state and its residents of the adverse effects associated with climate change and global warming;

(3) Identification of the specific circumstances of flooding and erosion that have affected life, property, and economic and resource development in the state;

(4) Examination of alternative measures to prevent and mitigate the effects of flooding and erosion; and

(5) Recommended policies to decrease the negative effects of climate change and global warming;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force offer recommendations and provide suggested solutions and preventive measures that can be implemented by the county and state governments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force submit a preliminary report of its findings to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008, and submit a final report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009, including proposed legislation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Director of the Office of Planning, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Dean of UH's Schools of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology, and the Director of UH's Environmental Center.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

The Effects of Climate Change and Global Warming on the State

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	155
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII