E komo mai and mahalo for charting a course toward a Climate Ready O‘ahu
Climate change is a reality that we must continue to adapt to on O‘ahu. Sea levels are rising, temperatures are increasing, and precipitation is becoming less frequent. To ensure our community is ready to address the climate change impacts facing our island home the City is designing our own climate adaptation strategy called Climate Ready O‘ahu.
What is climate adaptation?
Climate adaptation means understanding the type of climate we are most likely to experience in the future and proactively charting an equitable path to be climate ready when impacts occur. Watch the video below to learn more!
O‘ahu Climate Risks
To inform the design of the adaptation strategies, we performed a Climate Risk Assessment. This assessment identified the likelihood of future climate hazards, such as rising sea levels and extreme heat, and their potential impacts on our community.
What are we doing to prepare for climate risks?
We are designing Climate Ready O‘ahu, an adaptation strategy that will outline climate adaptation priorities and include specific, measureable steps for meeting the needs of our O‘ahu community in the face of a changing climate.
Flooding of Ahua Street
Climate Ready O‘ahu recognizes that climate adaptation is intergenerational, meaning that we must holds ourselves accountable for our actions today and their lasting impacts on younger and future generations. As we collectively face the coming climate challenges, Climate Ready O‘ahu aims to uplift actions we can take today that both prepare for the worst and also chart the course toward a more equitable, resilient, and Climate Ready O‘ahu.
This strategy will contribute to Resilience Action 28 from the community-sourced O‘ahu Resilience Strategy designed to enhance our resilience to climate change.
Adaptation strategies can include…
Managing rain where it falls and getting flood ready
Shading our communities with trees
Coastal management and allowing beaches to be beaches
Participating in the community plan update process
Cultural and environmental restoration
Practicing equity in decision-making, and more
Community input has been integral to informing Climate Ready O‘ahu. Through tabling, workshops, and virtual events, we engaged more than 200 community members in designing the climate adaptation strategy. You can view past meeting content and records at the Participate page.
