Climate change presents Kaua‘i and other Pacific Islands with unique challenges including sea-level rise, less rain, contamination of freshwater resources with saltwater, coastal erosion, an increase in extreme weather events, coral reef bleaching, and ocean acidification. As this article series
Climate change presents Kaua‘i and other Pacific Islands with unique challenges including sea-level rise, less rain, contamination of freshwater resources with saltwater, coastal erosion, an increase in extreme weather events, coral reef bleaching, and ocean acidification. As this article series has begun to lay-out, it is already past time to begin planning in order to adapt our land use policies, agricultural systems, and marine and fresh water resource use, to these sizeable challenges.
Climate change is not simply an environmental issue — it will have crippling economic and social effects. Tourism, agriculture, construction and fisheries will all be severely impacted, and the affect on our natural resources will undermine our ability to be food self-sufficient. Community resiliency and security is dependent upon how we respond to climate change.
There are several upcoming opportunities to learn more about climate change and/or take an active role in voicing your concern.
— International Day of Action: October 24
Dr. James Hansen, NASA’s chief climatologist, has argued that if the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere remains above 350 parts per million (ppm), we will no longer have a planet “similar to the one on which civilization developed and to which life on earth is adapted.” According to measurements taken from atop Mauna Loa, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has reached 390 ppm. People from around the world will be taking action on October 24 through various visibility activities to help capture the attention of the media and global leaders regarding the importance of 350 ppm as a target for the emissions reduction talks and an anticipated international treaty in Copenhagen.
Throughout Hawai‘i, students and community members will be literally drawing the line on climate change. Using blue chalk, blue human chains, or other creative tactics, students will mark lines that indicate the high tide level with one meter of sea level rise. The purpose of the Blue Line Project is to highlight Hawai‘i’s — and other island nations — vulnerability to climate change. “This is an opportunity for students to be part of a critical moment in our history,” said Jeff Mikulina, Executive Director of the Blue Planet Foundation. “The blue line represents the future we are leaving these students — and it may be the best case scenario unless a strong international agreement is reached this year.”
The Blue Planet Foundation is providing participating schools free energy-efficient lightbulbs and an opportunity to fundraise by turning in old incandescent bulbs. The organization is offering schools special presentations discussing climate change and Hawai‘i’s clean energy future. Additionally, a “creativity contest” will be held to encourage students to draw art, images, and words of hope along the one meter sea level rise line. Schools will receive a “Blue Line Package” that will include gifts, materials, educational information, sea level rise maps, and — of course — blue chalk for the campaign. Schools are welcome to register for the event online at www.bluelineproject.org by Wednesday.
The community-at-large is encouraged to participate in Blue Line actions around the island on October 24. To learn more about what is happening in your district, or to see maps developed by University of Hawai‘i coastal experts that illustrate the likely extent of flooding in Hawai‘i from a one meter sea level rise, contact Andrea Brower at andrea@malamakauai.org.
— Global Climate Change: Impacts on Kaua‘i
This free half-day conference will feature some of the state’s leading climate experts. The conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, November 21 at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center.
This conference will provide scientific information in layman’s terms on how the cumulative effects of various aspects of climate change are likely to impact Kaua‘i’s future. Each speaker will address “Global Climate Change as it will affect Kaua‘i” for about 30 to 45 minutes. The experts’ presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion forum, with questions taken from the audience. Another workshop, specifically focused on mitigating climate change effects and actually slowing the rate of change, is planned for next year.
This conference is designed for high school and college students, government officials and employees, farmers, representatives of Kaua‘i’s major industries, including tourism, health care and the military, KIUC, community and environmental groups and interested members of the public.
Topics and speakers include Dr. Thomas Giambelluca (Univ. Hawai‘i, Dept. Geography) on Rainfall and Drought; Dr. Gordon Tribble (USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center) on Stream Flow and Groundwater; Dr. Chip Fletcher (Univ. Hawai‘i, Dept. Geology & Geophysics) on Sea Level Rise and Coastal Problems; Dr. Paul Jokiel (Univ. Hawai‘i, HIMB) on Ocean Changes and Coral Reefs; Dr. Carl Berg (Kaua‘i Surfrider); and Mr. James O’Connell (Univ. Hawai‘i, Sea Grant Extension Agent) as discussion moderator.
Pre-registration is requested.
For more information, or to pre-register, please contact Dr. Carl Berg (Surfrider Foundation) at 639-2968 or e-mail cberg@piixi.com.
— Malama Kaua‘i Radio Show
Friday, the Malama Kaua‘i Radio Show will host guests Dr. Adam Asquith and Dr. Carl Berg, as well as Blue Line project coordinators for a roundtable discussion on global climate change. Tune in from 12 p.m. to1p.m. to learn more or call in with questions. Streaming live at www.kkcr.org, or on your radial dial at 90.9, 91.9, or 92.7.
• Andrea Brower works with Malama Kaua‘i, an organization committed to the ‘aina, community, and culture of the island. She can be reached via www.malamakauai.org
