NEW DELHI: The state of Hawaii has reached a settlement with 13 plaintiffs who sued the government over climate change, leading to a landmark settlement that will destroy Hawaii’s transportation system by 2045.

Hawaii teens Deal reached on decarbonization Over the last two years, plaintiffs with 10 to 20 years of service filed suit in Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, claiming that the state’s reliance on fossil fuels for transportation infrastructure violated their constitutional rights. healthy environment. The case was the world’s first youth-led climate lawsuit focusing on greenhouse gases. 

Deal reached on decarbonization by 2045: A cause led by Hawaii teens

Judge John M. On Thursday, Tonaki signed a plea agreement that effectively ends the trial scheduled for next week. The plaintiffs were represented by advocacy groups Earthjustice and Our Children in Responsibility.

 Key provisions of the settlement

Housing Highlights , The agreement includes Hawaii’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions across all modes of transportation, including land, sea and air, by 2045. Next year the state must install a fully stocked gas park; reduction program. Additionally, the Hawaii Department of Transportation was tasked with completing the pedestrian, bicycle and public transportation networks in collaboration with county officials over the course of five years. ..

An investment commitment of at least 40 million dollars was made for the expansion of the public electricity network until 2030. “They have no choice but to take action and address the climate issue to protect their citizens and the young people who want to live here,” said Andrea Rodgers, an attorney with the

Our Children Center.

Issues of Young Applicants 

The case highlighted the personal impact of climate change on young applicants. The 14-year-old girl, born in Hawaii into a family that has been growing taro for more than 10 generations, was shocked by the extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. Rising seas threaten to submerge their countries.

Another plaintiff’s home was damaged twice by climate change-related disasters: once in 2018 due to flooding caused by severe storms and again during last year’s devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Maui.

Hawaii Space and Purchase 

While Hawaii Governor Josh Green and Transportation Director Ed Sniffen are excited about the location, getting to this point has been difficult. The state previously filed a lawsuit arguing the court overstepped its bounds by trying to ban the Department of Transportation.

The government spent approximately $3 million in legal fees, including international representation and expert fees, highlighting the nature of the case. 

“There were protests,” Rodgers said, but he believes government officials chose to work with the young plaintiffs rather than fight them. “Governors Groen and … Sniffen have shown extraordinary leadership and have decided to work with young people rather than against them.” . This is expected to affect ongoing cases in Montana and Oregon and could be heard in international legal forums such as the European Court of Human Rights, where young plaintiffs from Portugal are seeking protection.

Global warming Since its founding, Hawaii has faced the challenge of adapting to a car-based culture and infrastructure. “I think once people start to see the investments that need to be made in bicycling, walking and public transportation, people will really start to see that this is a program that works for Hawaii and the community,” Rodgers said. .