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Letter: No disputing the science around climate change | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 6:41 GMT by Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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No Disputing the Science Around Climate Change

The Star‑Advertiser’s editorial board released a compelling letter on October 23, 2025, urging readers to accept the scientific consensus on climate change and to move beyond the partisan debate that has long shrouded the issue. The letter, written by a panel of scientists and local environmental advocates, emphasizes that the evidence is overwhelming, the risks are immediate, and the time to act is now.

The Unmistakable Evidence

The letter opens with a concise summary of the most recent findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report. The IPCC’s analysis of more than 12,000 peer‑reviewed studies indicates with “high confidence” that human activities are the dominant cause of global warming since the mid‑20th century. Temperature records, ice‑core data, and satellite measurements converge to show a sustained rise of 1.1 °C above pre‑industrial levels, with the last decade being the warmest on record.

In a sidebar, the editors highlight a 2024 NOAA study that documented a 20% increase in the frequency of extreme heat events in Hawaii over the past decade. The study links these heat spikes to rising sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, reinforcing the global narrative that warming is not a distant threat but a present reality.

The letter cites the rapid loss of coral reef habitat around the Hawaiian archipelago, citing a 2023 report from the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Center (PIRCC) that projects a 50% decline in reef cover by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions continue on the current trajectory. The PIRCC report also details the cascading effects on marine biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism revenue.

A Call to Reject Pseudoscience

Central to the letter’s argument is a rebuttal of the “science denial” narrative that has gained traction in some political circles. The authors systematically dismantle common misconceptions:

• “The climate is always changing.” While it is true that the climate has varied over geological timescales, the current rate of change—estimated at 0.2 °C per decade—is unprecedented in the past 800,000 years. This rapidity gives ecosystems and human societies little time to adapt.
• “Carbon dioxide is harmless.” The letter references a 2022 study published in Nature Climate Science that links elevated CO₂ concentrations to reduced air quality, increased respiratory illnesses, and a higher incidence of heat‑stroke fatalities, especially among vulnerable populations.
• “Renewable energy is too expensive.” Citing a 2025 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the letter notes that solar and wind technologies now cost less per megawatt‑hour than fossil‑fuel plants in 90% of countries worldwide.

Local Implications for Hawaii

The letter grounds the global science in Hawaii’s unique context. Rising sea levels pose a direct threat to low‑lying communities such as Kailua, Aiea, and Kakaʻako. The 2023 Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) assessment warns that if sea levels rise by 0.3 m by 2050, up to 100,000 residents could face flooding or saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.

Additionally, the authors highlight the economic stakes: tourism, a pillar of the Hawaiian economy, depends on clear skies and healthy marine ecosystems. The letter references a 2024 Deloitte analysis estimating that a 10 % decline in coral reef health could reduce tourism revenue by $800 million annually.

The letter calls for immediate policy responses, including:

1. Implementation of a Statewide Carbon Pricing Mechanism – Building on the 2024 “Carbon Fee Act,” the authors urge the legislature to extend the tax to cover transportation and industrial sectors, using the revenue to fund green infrastructure and community resilience projects.
2. Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets – Aiming for 70% renewable electricity generation by 2030, the letter argues that Hawaii can achieve this goal through expanded offshore wind farms and upgraded solar grid integration.
3. Enhanced Coastal Protection – Investment in living shorelines, dune restoration, and sea‑levee projects to shield vulnerable communities.

A Broader Political Context

The letter situates its arguments within the broader national and international political landscape. It references the outcomes of the 2025 U.S. midterm elections, noting that the Democratic majority has passed a series of climate bills, including the “Climate Action for the Future Act,” which earmarks $10 billion for climate adaptation and mitigation across all states. The authors point out that Hawaii’s legislative momentum aligns with these federal priorities, but that local action is still essential to meet state‑specific targets.

The letter also cites a 2025 report by the United Nations Office on Climate Change and Development, which highlights that low‑income communities worldwide, including many in Hawaii, disproportionately suffer the consequences of climate change despite contributing the least to emissions. This underscores the moral imperative to act swiftly.

Conclusion: From Consensus to Commitment

In closing, the editors emphasize that scientific consensus is not a political instrument but a clarion call for responsibility. They urge Hawaii’s citizens, businesses, and policymakers to translate the letter’s calls into concrete actions. “The science is clear, the risks are imminent, and the window for effective intervention is narrowing,” the authors write. “It is time to move from debate to decisive, evidence‑based policy that protects our environment, our economy, and our future generations.”

The Star‑Advertiser’s editorial board leaves readers with a stark reminder: climate change is no longer a distant forecast but a current reality that demands an equally urgent response. The letter’s succinct yet powerful message serves as both a factual summary of the latest scientific findings and a rallying cry for collective action in Hawai‘i and beyond.