To paraphrase Ernest Hemingway, change happens slowly and then all at once. We are now in the middle of “all at once”.
Although we are living through a dark period of economic hardship, systemic injustice, increasing climate change and the upheaval in human health, we see the Blue Planet Foundation as an unprecedented opportunity to reshape and reinvigorate our common future.
As we all face tough decisions about how best to go about it, we have an incredible opportunity to rethink what is possible for our islands and our future.
Blue Planet aims to set a new course for Hawaii with Waypoints, a package of 50 specific measures to promote economic growth, create new jobs, ensure equitable access to affordable energy and accelerate our transition to 100% clean energy.
The coronavirus pandemic has shown how quickly and fundamentally our lives can be forced to change. It also points to another global crisis of our time: climate change.
Hawaii is acutely vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change. In 2019, the islands set or broke over 270 high temperature records, and the waters around the islands experienced record heat.
Higher temperatures and more humidity in the atmosphere mean more precipitation events. Two years ago, Oahu and Kauai were hit by a “rain bomb” that dropped so much water over Hanalei that it broke the local rain gauge – breaking the national record for the most rainfall over a 24 hour period: 49.69 inches .
Although it has been almost 30 years since Hawaii was last hit directly by a hurricane, this incredible happiness (see: Douglas) cannot last long; Climate modeling suggests that hurricanes in the Pacific are likely to get bigger, stronger, and more frequent. Climate change presents a host of other challenges to Hawaii’s economy, way of life, and survival.
In many ways, COVID-19 and climate change share similar paths – they have different timelines, but the same structure of action. Three clear parallels have emerged between the two crises.
First, both made clear our shared responsibility for one another. This pandemic reveals the truth that our fate is tied to that of our neighbors and their fate is tied to that of everyone else. The same is true of the climate, where we all have our hands on the earth’s thermostat.
Second, we have incredible adaptability. It is striking how a pandemic can break through seemingly well-established social norms and habits. Humanity is learning to make sacrifices that previously seemed unthinkable, and we are redefining what is socially acceptable for the common good.
After all, crises amplify the inequalities that already exist in our society. The effects of COVID-19 – like the effects of climate change – discriminate. Omnipresent and persistent systemic injustices mean that the vulnerable, the economically disadvantaged, and the less privileged among us are the least able to protect themselves and the hardest hit.
The disruption caused by COVID-19 has exposed the fragility of our economy and, in many ways, our way of life.
So how can we build an economy that is resilient, equitable and sustainable? How do we lead our upswing to efficient and innovative growth? How do we create meaningful jobs with living wages? And how do we in Hawaii use our position beyond our own borders to model the necessary change worldwide?
Waypoints seeks to answer these questions by identifying policy and programmatic initiatives at the intersection of job creation, carbon reduction, equity and economic growth.
The suggestions in waypoints are united by the following common goals and objectives:
• Leverage Our Strengths: Hawaii has many talented people, strong community values, and cultural diversity. We also have a surplus of renewable energy resources, but not a drop of our own fossil fuels. Energy – for mobility, electricity, air travel – is the lifeblood of the islands’ economy. It makes sense to drive systemic change from the transition to clean energy. Today, clean energy is half as expensive as fossil energy. Energy efficiency is even cheaper. And now electric vehicles are cheaper to run than gasoline cars. Technology has made incredible leaps and bounds and Hawaii can now take full advantage of those changes for the benefit of all.
• Remove barriers to accelerating our low-carbon future: Whether it is existing fossil fuel interests or economic and social barriers preventing individuals and communities from accessing low-carbon solutions, our proposals aim to break down the barriers that exist between our present. represent reality and the cleaner, more resilient future that we want to create.
• Boosting economic activity and creating quality jobs while reducing carbon emissions: The urgency of climate change must guide all aspects of our planning for economic recovery and growth. Any action or waypoint proposed is based on the core idea that our low carbon future is not at odds with a vibrant economy, but rather is a forerunner to it. When we switch to our abundant renewable energy or energy efficiency resources, we trade carbon for the benefit of local labor and capital investment. Recent major renewable projects approved by Hawaiian Electric will invest over $ 3 billion in our state and result in the hiring of large numbers of workers.
• Ensure equitable access to our shared future of clean energy: We believe that access to affordable clean energy is a right, not a privilege. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for profound structural and systemic changes. The Waypoints Actions provide an opportunity to restart and remediate the underlying injustices that have left some individuals and communities time and again.
• Be a role model for the world: Like COVID-19, climate change is a global challenge – we are only really safe when the world is safe. By making Hawaii a model for clean energy advancement, we can inspire and catalyze climate solutions around the world. While we can theoretically lock our doors from the outside for any trip, we cannot lock our doors to the climate. We can meet this interdependence with resignation or take the chance to help shape a future that serves everyone. Just as our first 100% renewable energy bill in the nation inspired other states to set bold clean energy goals, a low-carbon revival in Hawaii can fuel innovative rebuilding efforts that enable communities around the world to thrive.
The pull to return to “business as usual” will be strong in the months and years to come. But there’s another way – one where we can transform our economy, build career ladders, ensure access and affordability, repower our mobility, revitalize public spaces, use low-carbon energy, and rebuild smarter. We believe that the revival of the Hawaiian economy should try to anticipate the future rather than replicate the past.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: “In every break I hear the call.” The “break” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic invites us to reflect on how we live on this planet and together, how we have developed our economy and what we value. It challenges us to think deeply about the world we want to create for our families and for our future. It offers an unprecedented opportunity to do it all at once.
