Sustainability experts and community leaders gather in Hawai'i to learn from each other and create a more sustainable island community. Photo courtesy of John DeFries.
Hawai'i has an unprecedented opportunity to advance the global agenda for greater sustainability. Hawai'i Green Growth brings Hawai'i leaders from energy, food, environment and other sectors together to achieve sustainability in Hawai'i and be a model for integrated green growth.
As the most isolated population on the planet, Hawai'i exemplifies the urgent need for action on the global priority for green growth. Hawai'i's people depend on imports for 95 percent of their energy and 90 percent of their food.
As the most isolated population on the planet, Hawai'i exemplifies the urgent need for action on the global priority for green growth.
Leaders have unanimously committed to 2030 targets in clean energy, local food, natural resource management, waste reduction and smart sustainable communities. More information can be found here.
Julie Ann Wrigley, business woman, conservationist and philanthropist, brought leaders of Arizona State University to the table in 2014 to help envision a more sustainable island community. They hope to learn as much as they contribute to sustainability research, education and outreach. Photos of the Big Island Conversations visit can be found here.
Sustainability can be achieved in Hawai'i by focusing on the environment, conservation, agriculture and education. Photo courtesy of Kamehameha Schools.
“At the heart of Hawai'ian values is the concept of Malama 'Aina – to care for the land – to ensure a sustainable and bountiful future,” says Wrigley, who is co-founder of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability.
In the opinion of ASU Wrigley Institute Director Gary Dirks, “Hawai’i is on the leading edge of important sustainability issues, is under pressure to make progress and has a consensus to move forward. ASU is intensely interested in what lies ahead.”
