Honolulu | In-Person

What Can Hawai’i Teach the World About Climate Change?

Erosion on Oahu’s Kailua Beach. Photo by Eugene Tanner/Associated Press.

A Zócalo/Daniel K. Inouye Institute “Pau Hana” Event
Moderated by Catherine Cruz, Host, Hawai‘i Public Radio’s “The Conversation”

The Aloha State is on the front lines of climate change. The seas surrounding Hawai‘i have already risen as much as 3.5 inches since 1960. Long-term forecasts anticipate massive beach erosion, higher average temperatures, prolonged droughts, heavy flooding linked to volatile trade winds, and increased ocean acidity that could bleach coral and disrupt marine migration. But Hawai‘i is also on the front lines of scientific experimentation that could mitigate the harsher effects of global warming. What can the world learn from this research and the state’s experience with climate change? How can Hawai‘i set an example for sustainable living that other states and countries might emulate? University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa geologist Chip Fletcher, RAND Corporation scientist and contributor to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Robert Lempert, and Honolulu chief resiliency officer Joshua Stanbro visit Zócalo to discuss how Hawai‘i can help the world survive and thrive amid environmental disruption.

LOCATION:
Artistry Honolulu
461 Cooke St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
Street parking is available. Valet parking is available for $7.

The Takeaway

Can Hawai‘i’s Local Communities Lead the Global Fight Against Climate Change?

Cities and Counties Across the Islands, Through Innovations and Experiments, Are the Perfect Laboratory for Slowing Global Warming

Travel-brochure images of Hawai‘i conjure a pollution-free paradise, far removed from dying forests, rising seas, and other ecological mayhems. But it’s more realistic to view the island state as a …