On April 21, 2020, Maui County adopted Bill 52, a comprehensive ban on single-use plastics. Bill 52 bans straws, cups, stirrers, to-go containers, and more and takes effect January 1, 2022. 

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As demand and consumption take a toll on Earth’s natural resources, the concept of shifting from a linear to a circular economy can help reduce overproduction, accumulation of waste, and depletion of natural resources. As more and more demand for resources goes up, the capacity of life-supporting resources goes down, leading to a treacherous gap that continues to tighten until nothing is left. This funnel image (inspired by the Natural Step) is led by behavior from the linear economy, which goes through a process of extracting materials, making products, and disposing of them. Whereas in a circular economy, materials and energy keep flowing within their systems in continuous loops, respectfully utilizing each extracted resource to the fullest. Instead of disposal, products are designed for infinite reuse. By design, a circular economy is restorative and regenerative rather than destructive and degenerating. 

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases. The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. Although greenhouse gases play a crucial role in keeping our planet’s climate stable, too much CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere enhance this effect, causing the average temperature of Earth to rise. This has multiple effects on Earths climate, which is what “climate change” refers to.

The carbon cycle is made up of natural carbon sinks and sources. A carbon sink sequesters or stores carbon, therefore, lowering the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Forests for example are an example of a carbon sink since they absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. Carbon sources, such as respiration by humans and animals, release CO2 into the atmosphere. However, the addition of man-made carbon sources, such as burning fossil fuels, and the destruction of sinks, such as forests, have increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Climate change impacts ecosystems and societies in a variety of ways. Things that we depend upon and value like water, energy, transportation, wildlife, agriculture, ecosystems, and human health are experiencing the effects of a changing climate. The image below shows some of the impacts Hawaiʻi is already experiencing as a result of climate change. For example, elevated ocean temperatures have resulted in severe coral bleaching, events that are becoming more frequent. Other impacts include sea-level rise, extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, and impacts on habitats and native species distribution. 

Responses to climate change generally fall into two categories: mitigation or adaptation. Mitigation involves reducing the amount of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere or sequestering carbon dioxide by building or restoring carbon sinks. Adaptation is the process of adjusting to current or expected climate change and its effects. The image below shows different examples of mitigation and adaptation solutions. Some solutions are examples of both.

Climate resilience is the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous events, trends, or disturbances related to climate. Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new, or alter current, climate-related risks, and taking steps to better cope with these risks.