It is no secret that pollution, climate change, rising ocean levels, toxic landfills, and endangered species are no longer buzz words meant as scare tactics in order to drive a political agenda. These things are real and they are affecting our lives as well as our future. We are seeing increasing ocean temperatures leading to an increasing amount of monster-sized hurricanes, destruction of our coral reefs and coastlines from agricultural runoff, powerful tides and miles of plastic debris. We are clearly at a tipping point.
That is why Councilmember Kymberly Marcos Pine is making our environment a priority. This means not only taking the necessary steps to stop the practices that contribute to the destruction of our island, but to work toward the restoration and the protection of the conditions that are congruent with maintaining all life through renewable, sustainable, and energy efficient practices that promote a cleaner and healthier O ̀ahu.
To date and going forward Councilmember Pine will be focused on:
- Promoting the use of recyclable and compostable materials and banning non-compostable substances like expanded polystyrene foam (most commonly used as food containers).
- Encouraging businesses that engage in Eco-friendly practices
- Water conservation through the promotion of drought-resistant native plant life
- Elimination of toxic synthetic herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers by the City/County of Honolulu
- Encouraging more farmers to go organic through real property tax incentives
- Working with the Department of Environmental Services to incorporate on-island recycling facilities
- Encouraging Increasing clean-energy production and utilization.