Episode 12: Sustainability in Honolulu
To round out Earth Month, Nicole Hedge, deputy director for the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, joins host Brandi Higa on this week’s episode of the One O`ahu Podcast. As mandated by the City Charter, this office is tasked with tracking climate change science and potential impacts on City facilities, coordinating actions and policies of departments within the City to increase community preparedness, developing resilient infrastructure in response to the effects from climate change, and integrating sustainable and environmental values into City plans, programs, and policies.
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2023 Annual Sustainability Report
Deputy Director Hedge opens the episode with highlights from the 2023 Annual Sustainability Report released on Friday, April 21, 2023, just a day before Earth Day (4:46). The data from this report helps hold the City accountable to meeting its sustainability goals and empowers leadership to make more informed decisions for efficient and effective City operations, and climate action and community preparedness. Highlights from this year’s report include a 3.4% decrease in City energy consumption, ten additional electric buses added to the City transit fleet for a current total of 17 e-buses, and the adoption of the City’s first-ever O`ahu Pedestrian Plan.
Inflation Reduction Act
Later on the episode, President Biden has been touting his Inflation Reduction Act, promising to create new jobs and slash emissions. But what exactly does that mean for residents in Hawai‘i? Hedge explains the resources available for different stakeholders (21:51).
“If you’re an individual or resident, there’s programs that are focused for you,” explained Hedge. If you’re building owner or a developer, there are programs that are applicable to you. There are five different categories that we have up on our website to try and break it down and bring folks the information that we know of some of these programs that are already stood up or in development at the federal level.”
Personal Accountability
The Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency isn’t one of the most popular departments in the City, but it may be one of the most important as we look toward our future. Deputy Director Hedge discusses a misperception that working on sustainability or climate action is working at odds with affordability (24:21).
“Our office isn’t about trying to promote people’s sacrifice, it’s about trying to promote options for people that make it even easier, even more affordable to take advantage of options out there that can help you live a lifestyle that you want but also is helping to reduce emissions,” added Deputy Director Hedge.
Aloha ʻĀina Art by Hawaiʻi’s Keiki and ʻŌpio
Plus, a new art exhibit is going up this week in Honolulu Hale. How you can celebrate Aloha ʻĀina past Earth Month in April (31:41). The exhibit features creative work including paintings, poetry and stories by Mele Murals, Wisdom Circles Oceania, and volunteers of the Sierra Club showcasing various perspectives of youth and the community at large.
