Hawaii
Global climate change poses risks to human health and to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Important economic resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and water resources also may be affected. Warmer temperatures, more severe droughts and floods, and sea level rise could have a wide range of impacts. All these stresses can add to existing stresses on resources caused by other influences such as population growth, land-use changes, and pollution.
Climate Change in Hawaii
Below are some of the potential impacts:
- In Honolulu, Hawaii, the average temperature has increased 4.4°F over the last century, and precipitation has decreased approximately 20% over the last 90 years.
- By 2100 temperatures in Hawaii could increase by 3°F (with a range of 1-5°F) in all seasons, slightly more in fall.
- Higher temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves may increase the number of heat-related deaths and the incidence of heat-related illnesses. The elderly, particularly those living alone, are the most vulnerable.
- Warmer seas could enhance the growth of toxic algae, and can lead to harmful algal blooms, that is, red tides. The increased intensity, duration, and extent of harmful algal blooms can damage habitat and shellfish nurseries. These blooms can be toxic to humans and can carry bacteria like those causing cholera.
- At Honolulu, Nawiliwili, and Hilo, sea level already is rising by 6-14 inches per century, and it is likely to rise another 17-25 inches by 2100.
- The 1,000-mile tidally influenced shorelines of the Hawaiian islands contain some of the world’s most famous white-sand beaches as well as steep cliffs. Hawaii’s beaches are generally not subject to erosion by waves because of the protective influence of offshore coral reefs. The coral reefs, which are the source of the white sand, could provide sufficient natural nourishment to the beaches under sea level rise. However, warmer seas, as a result of climate change, may have detremental effects on these coral reef ecosystems, and the beaches may require additional costly sand replenishment. For example, the cumulative cost of sand replenishment to protect the coast of Hawaii from a 20-inch sea level rise by 2100 is estimated at $340 million to $6 billion. sea level rise update
- Currently, there are more endangered species per square mile on these islands than any other place on the planet. 25% of U.S. endangered species are found here, including 2 mammals, 30 birds, 5 reptiles and amphibians, and 279 plant taxa. Important contributors to this wave of loss and endangerment are habitat loss, introduced diseases, and impacts from introduced organisms, especially pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle. The estimated increases in temperature and changes in precipitation due to climate change adds another threat to this onslaught of human-created problems.
The above are based on from the Environmental Protection Agency's report on climate change, which uses data from the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2001).
For more info on climate change impacts on Hawaii's water resources, agriculture, forests and ecosystems, you can download pdf of full EPA report.
CO2: How Does Your State Rank?
Hawaii is the highest emitter of C02 of all 50 states and the most populous.
Maps
See CO2 output by sector, coastal population maps, and maps of regional initiatives.
Regional Initiatives
In the absence of federal action, many U.S. states are banding together to explore and employ greenhouse gas-reducing policies.
Hawaii participates in the following:
Western Governors' Association (WGA): Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative
Learn about climate initiatives in all U.S. states and regions
Your Impact
Estimate your CO2 footprint by using a carbon calculator such as the one on the Inconvenient Truth web site.
How green is your energy? The EPA has a power profiler that can tell you.
