Climate Change affects Hawaii too!
Climate Change causes heat waves in the Pacific Northwest
According to climate.gov, the June heatwave that affected the Northwestern United States was a 1-in-1,000 year heatwave with a 0.1% chance of occurring. But due to climate change and increasing global temperatures, these rare heatwaves may become more and more common. More people are killed by extreme heat than any other natural hazard.
Trees Lower Urban Temperatures
According to epa.gov, trees lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade and through evapotranspiration (the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants). Trees planted in strategic locations around buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots will lower urban temperatures by up to 9°F.
"Trees are, quite simply, the most effective strategy, technology, we have to guard against heat in cities."
BRIAN STONE JR.
Professor of Environmental Planning
Georgia Institute of Technology
TFHF fighting climate change in Hawaii
Our three-pronged mission here at Trees For Honolulu’s Future is to:
- Facilitate the planting and caring for new trees and the protecting of existing trees in communities across O‘ahu and specifically connecting communities with expert assistance and funding.
- Educate the public and government officials on the benefit of the right tree, in the right place, getting the right care.
- Advocate for laws, policies, projects, and funding that support the planting and caring for and protection of trees.
Join Us
Trees for Honolulu’s Future is working to increase Honolulu’s urban tree canopy to 35% by 2035 (up from the low 20% range now) through education, facilitation of tree planting/funding, and advocacy. If you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out this form. You can also help us with our impact by donating to our organization. Your donation will help us plant more trees and fight climate change here in Hawaii!
