Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it has arrived here across our islands and demands unified attention.

We represent youth (ages 14-26) who are worried about our future. Not enough is being done to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that are warming the Earth and fueling climate disasters globally, nationally, and locally. We seek to collaborate with youth and policymakers who share this vision and feel compelled to take action to create a more livable, resilient future for all of Hawaiʻi.

Join us to make your voices heard and help shape a future that inspires hope, restoration, and endless possibilities for future generations. Together, we can make a difference.

Ideas showcases stories, opinion and analysis about Hawaiʻi, from the state’s sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea or an essay.

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When we envision our future, we imagine a Hawaiʻi where everyone can thrive: where clean air, fresh water, and healthy crops are accessible in our everyday lives.

Nevertheless, at times, our communities fear a future environment so harsh that we must expend all our waking hours simply trying to survive. This is not a future that inspires positive endeavors, nor is it a future we will accept.

From our perspective, our future is being undermined. Across our islands, the impacts are undeniable: flooded roads, Lahaina wildfires, dying coral reefs, and the increasingly scorching sun. While some progress has been made, the process remains too slow for the urgency of our situation.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation launched its Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan to reduce transportation-sector emissions by 50% by 2030. This accounts for ground, aviation, and marine transportation modes, which have altogether contributed 9 million metric tons of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).

The plan calls for the changes we need throughout our islands: clean fuels, sustainable aviation, multimodal transportation, an increased number of EV charging stations, increased youth leadership, and more.

Through witnessing climate change, sea level rise, unpredictable weather, and consistent native species extinction across our islands, it’s clear that change needs to be made.

Fossil fuels are integrated throughout the economy and into our lifestyles. Individually, we all must try to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels.

But after trying for a while and having limited success, we realize that it’s a systemic problem. Our economic system severely limits our choices, and it needs to be changed so that we are not so dependent on fossil fuels. Policies must be implemented to match the urgency of the crisis we face.

One promising Hawaiʻi value reflective policy is the so-called green fee, a small visitor fee that accumulates revenue directly towards preserving natural and cultural environment resources. Tourism is the driving source of Hawaiʻi’s income; therefore, it must contribute to maintaining the ecosystem on which we all depend.

Part of the problem is rooted simply in our economy and lifestyles. Climate scientists who have urged strong action to mitigate climate change have been ignored, and delay has left us in a critical and vulnerable state.

Climate change is happening here and now, far more rapidly and widespread than anyone expected. Therefore, we must work towards our goals with the knowledge that urgent action is needed on this issue that affects all of us.

Three years ago, the first Climate Future Forum was held to engage youth in the legislative process. Youth worked together with Legislators and learned about the environment, bills, and what must be done to get them passed and implemented.

Since then, our efforts have brought together youth, community members, and policymakers to foster collective action towards our future. Our last forum brought together 200-plus participants of all ages, including 15 Hawaiʻi state legislators and more than 10 local organizations, all led by our dedicated team of 25 youth from across the state. Building upon the successes of previous events, we are holding another one this Saturday, Nov. 1.

The event has two parts: the Climate Future Forum for youth ages 14-26 runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the Youth Climate Summit, which is open to everyone, runs from 1:30 p.m. 4 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda.

Participants will discuss bills, select the bill that best aligns with their interests, track those bills, and learn how to testify on them. Fortunately, the Hawaiʻi Legislature has a website that makes it easy, and we teach youth how to utilize it. Lastly, we have the honor of having senators and representatives at the event to help and answer any burning questions that arise.

We urge all ages to participate. Join us to make your voices heard and help shape a Hawaiʻi that inspires hope, restoration, and aloha ʻāina — the love of the land that sustains us all. Your presence matters, and together, we can facilitate actionable change.