Bill Text: HI SR85 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requesting The Governor To Prioritize The Planting Of Four Million Trees Along Streets And Roadways Within The Next Four Years To Help Address Climate Change And Make Complete Streets Statewide.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-04-12 - Report and Resolution Adopted, with Senator Fevella voting "No". [SR85 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-SR85-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	85
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the Governor to prioritize the planting of four million trees along streets and roadways within the next four years to help address climate change and make complete streets statewide.

 

 

     WHEREAS, air pollution and carbon dioxide levels are at an all-time high and are continuing to increase; and

 

     WHEREAS, trees intake carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air, which helps combat climate change; and

 

     WHEREAS, one tree can absorb as much as forty-eight pounds of carbon dioxide per year and can sequester one ton of carbon dioxide by the time the tree reaches forty years old, while a young tree can absorb about twenty-six pounds of carbon dioxide per year; and

 

     WHEREAS, trees can also absorb odors and pollutant gases and filter particulates out of the air by trapping the particulates on their leaves and bark; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State's "One Million Trees of Aloha" initiative resulted in the planting of over 1.13 million trees and inspired the worldwide "Billon Trees of Aloha" project; and

 

     WHEREAS, complete streets are part of a transportation and design approach that aims to create a comprehensive, integrated network of streets that are safe and convenient for all people; and

 

     WHEREAS, complete streets support healthy and sustainable communities through promoting physical activity, reducing vehicle emissions, increasing pedestrian and bicycle safety, and beautifying neighborhoods; and

 

     WHEREAS, planting trees along streets statewide can enhance pedestrian safety and help produce complete streets; and

 

     WHEREAS, research indicates that drivers reduce speeds when trees are present and crashes tend to be less severe; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State can benefit from the planting of additional trees along streets in an effort to sequester carbon, remove pollution, beautify and make complete streets, and reduce the severity of vehicle crashes; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the Governor is requested to prioritize the planting of four million trees along streets and roadways within the next four years to help address climate change and make complete streets statewide; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Transportation, Director of the Office of Planning, and the Mayor of the counties of Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, and the City and County of Honolulu.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Planting Four Million Trees; Complete Streets; Statewide