News

The latest updates and information about the work of the Climate Advisory Team.

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September 18, 2024

September 2024 Process Update

by Climate Advisory Team

Governor Josh Green’s Climate Advisory Team (CAT) is in the midst of conducting extensive research to gather ideas, understand issues, and inform the policy recommendations they will present for the 2025 legislative session. As of mid-September, the CAT has conducted roughly 45 meetings with groups ranging from community organizations, environmental groups, state agencies, scientists, economists, and researchers. Throughout these conversations, the CAT is particularly focused on how their policy recommendations can promote justice, climate equity, and aloha ʻāina. 

The Climate Advisory Team is tasked with developing policy recommendations that aim to reduce the impacts of future climate-related disasters and speed recovery from the physical and financial damage they cause. To accomplish this, the CAT plans to address four pillars of disaster readiness: environmental and infrastructure resilience and physical and financial recovery. Members of the CAT recognize that many issues fall under their four pillars of disaster readiness, and their research process reflects the scope of their work. 

The CAT will soon transition from information gathering to drafting policy recommendations. The next step for this group is the release of a white paper with their findings before the end of the year.


September 6, 2024

IN THE NEWS: 5 Questions: Chris Benjamin, chair of governor’s Climate Advisory Team

by Jamm Aquino for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

1. Why did you accept the role of CAT chair?

I’m very concerned about the threats that natural disasters pose. That’s why I am so encouraged that the Governor wants to give the issue the attention of this committee and its experts, in order to develop concrete solutions. Hawai‘i is particularly vulnerable to climate change, and I’ve devoted my time since retirement to addressing its risks.

We can’t look to State government to eliminate the risks of natural disasters alone. On the contrary, most of the solutions are going to come from communities working together and from the many public- and private-sector organizations that already are doing great work in this area. But the State can absolutely help catalyze, coordinate and support these efforts, and I applaud the Governor and the legislature for recognizing the critical importance of supportive legislation.

Click here to read the full story in the September 6 Honolulu Star-Advertiser


August 27, 2024

IN THE NEWS: State climate team getting acclimated

by Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board

Climate change, the global environmental crisis that people once perceived as a faraway worry, is now confronting Hawaii, especially as it affects sea-level rise. Adapting to the threats and curbing their impacts, though, will be a multiple-generational mission.

That’s why the establishment of a high-level Climate Advisory Team (CAT) for the state is an excellent foundational step, and the initial fact-gathering efforts will be crucial in coordinating planning across community, business and government institutions.

The challenge will be setting the climate mission firmly in state law and sustaining it through multiple state administrations to put adaptations in place.

Click here to read the full story in the August 27 Honolulu Star-Advertiser


August 15, 2024

IN THE NEWS: Team has work cut out to make Hawaii more resilient to natural disasters

by Andrew Gomes for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Gov. Josh Green created a tough assignment in May for the retired leader of a Hawaii real estate investment firm to assemble a team that can recommend policies to minimize climate-related natural disaster impacts in the state.

Now, this six-person volunteer group with expertise in areas that include climate change, environmental law and insurance faces a tough phase of work: coming up with initial results.

Green’s Climate Advisory Team, led by retired Alexander & Baldwin Inc. CEO Chris Benjamin, is about to move from information gathering to crafting solutions that initially will focus on a package of draft bills for the governor to submit for consideration in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January.

Click here to read the full story in the August 15 Honolulu Star-Advertiser


July 15, 2024

Press Release: GOVERNOR GREEN NAMES CLIMATE ADVISORY TEAM MEMBERS

Team to Produce Policy Guidance for Climate Resilience and Disaster Recovery

In July 2024, Governor Josh Green, M.D., announced the full slate of members for the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) led by Chris Benjamin, chair of Climate Hawai‘i and a special advisor to the Governor. 

Read the press release on the Governor’s official newsroom website