Climate Change Impacts in Hawai‘i:From the Global to the Local :Climate Change Impacts in Hawai‘i:From the Global to the Local Deanna SpoonerHawai‘i Conservation Alliance Presentation to the Natural Resources SectionHawaii State Bar AssociationOctober 20, 2009


: Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Wildlife Kamehameha Schools National Park Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Sanctuaries Program The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i Office of Hawaiian Affairs University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Center for Conservation Research & Training United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Institute of Pacific Island Forestry United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service United States Department of Defense Army Garrison Hawai‘i Natural Resources Program United States Fish & Wildlife Service Ecological Services United States Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge Complex United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Discipline


Climate Change 101 :Climate Change 101 Greenhouse Gases carbon dioxide methane water vapor nitrous oxide ozone halo carbons The gases that make up the atmosphere act as a “greenhouse” and trap heat from the Sun and activities on Earth, preventing it from escaping into outer space. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases are what keep our planet warm enough for life to exist.


Under natural conditions, CO2 is released and recaptured by the atmosphere, ocean, and vegetation. This is known as the carbon cycle. :Under natural conditions, CO2 is released and recaptured by the atmosphere, ocean, and vegetation. This is known as the carbon cycle.


When too many greenhouse gases are released, too much heat is trapped into the Earth’s atmosphere.This causes global temperatures to rise and can trigger climate change. :When too many greenhouse gases are released, too much heat is trapped into the Earth’s atmosphere.This causes global temperatures to rise and can trigger climate change. Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth System Research Laboratory, Global Monitoring Division


Greenhouse Gases Sources :Greenhouse Gases Sources IPCC Synthesis Report 2007


Global Climate Change Impacts on Hawaiian Ecosystems :Global Climate Change Impacts on Hawaiian Ecosystems IPCC Synthesis Report 2007 The Hawaiianarchipelago is too smallto register on mostglobal climate models,which begs the question:Just what will happen here?


Global Climate Change Impacts onHawaiian Ecosystems :Global Climate Change Impacts onHawaiian Ecosystems Ambient Temperature Global average ambient temperature increase approximately 4.1oF by 2100 Temperature in Hawai‘i has been rising over the last 100 years with the greatest increase after 1975 The rate of increase at low elevation is below the global average At high elevations, the rate of increase greatly exceeds the global rate Ocean Temperature By 2100 Hawaiian waters may increase from 73 oF to 79 oF Widespread bleaching of coral likely Alien algal blooms likely to further impact corals Coral disease incidence will rise in frequency and magnitude


Slide 10:IPCC Synthesis Report 2007


Global Climate Change Impacts onHawaiian Ecosystems :Global Climate Change Impacts onHawaiian Ecosystems Sea Level Rise Melting ice + thermal expansion = a predicted rise of two to three feet this century (IPCC, 2007) Flooding of low-lying coastal areas Saltwater intrusion High wave inundation Accelerated beach erosion


Global Climate Change Impacts onHawaiian Ecosystems :Global Climate Change Impacts onHawaiian Ecosystems Ocean Acidification CO2 dissolves into the oceans and acidifies the surface waters By 2070, marginal coral conditions for Hawai‘I Acidification will halt growth of coral reefs, mollusks, and plankton disrupting the marine food web Pteropods are zooplankton with calcium carbonate shells that dissolve in acidic water.


Climate Change Policies :Climate Change Policies International United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Kyoto Protocol United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, December 7-18, 2009


Climate Change Policies :Climate Change Policies National American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009(HR 2454) EPA proposed regulations of greenhouse gases Massachusetts v. EPA, 549 U.S. 497 (2007) NOAA Climate Center Department of Interior initiatives Fish & Wildlife Service National Park Service US Geological Survey


Climate Change Policies :Climate Change Policies State of Hawai‘i Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative (DOE) Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Task Force Climate Change Task Force


Climate Change Policies :Climate Change Policies National: Landscape Conservation Cooperatives Fish & Wildlife Service funded Eight regional LCCs Hawai‘i is the showcase – Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative (PICCC)


Climate Change Policies :Climate Change Policies Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative Interdisciplinary, but with a focus on native species and ecosystems Focusing first on Hawai‘i then greater Pacific Island Region Science and technology clearinghouse Climate scenarios Adaptation assessment and planning Monitoring and adaptive management


Why We Care :Why We Care Hawaiian native species and their habitats already are impactedby many stressors, including global climate change.


Recommendations :Recommendations Establish a Hawai‘i Climate Change Coordinating Council Improve our understanding of how Hawai‘i's climate may change Assess the likely impacts of climate change on important Hawaiian resources Develop a plan for how Hawai‘i will adapt to a changing climate Integrate existing efforts into a coherent framework Engage the public now on land planning, water use, and natural resources management and climate change Create culturally appropriate management strategies


What You Can Do :What You Can Do Reduce your carbon footprint Support conservation of native ecosystems Engage in climate change policy processes


For more information about Hawai‘i’s native ecosystems and the organizationsdedicated to conserving them,visit our web site at:www.hawaiiconservation.org :For more information about Hawai‘i’s native ecosystems and the organizationsdedicated to conserving them,visit our web site at:www.hawaiiconservation.org