Hawaii is the most fossil fuel dependent state in the nation.
This can be explained in large part because of our dependence on tourism and the military. That’s a dangerous scenario for the future because of the finite nature of fossil fuel and the fact that our state is more and more vulnerable to fluctuations in oil prices and availability.
The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative is leading the way in relieving our dependence on oil by setting goals to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2045.
Hawaii’s clean energy goals are the most aggressive in the nation – and if we succeed, we will become a world leader in clean energy. Along the way, we’ll begin to solve several core challenges:
- We can be more independent and less reliant on other economies.
- We can achieve greater security.
- This will help Hawaii become more economically prosperous by keeping an estimated $3 billion in the state that would otherwise be spent on imported oil.
- Establishing a new, green economic sector will counter-balance our reliance on tourism and the military.
- We can position Hawaii as a worldwide leader in the clean energy category and that will attract more business and expertise to the region.
The HCEI goals require statewide participation and support. Renewable development and efficiency measures will need strong backing as will policy and planning agendas that support clean energy. Above all, we must all begin to think and act “green” in our daily lives.