Early last year, just after the commencement of the Hawai'i State Legislature's 2007 session, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published its fourth assessment report. While previous reports had sought to raise awareness regarding the very likely possibility of climate change due to human actions, the 2007 report put forth more dire predictions.

Essentially, the report stated that climate change in the 21st century is inevitable, and almost certainly caused by human-generated greenhouse gas emissions.

The report also stated that even if greenhouse gas emissions are stabilized, warming of the climate and sea level rises are likely to continue for at least a century. However, the rate of warming and rise in sea level will depend greatly upon the level of emissions around the globe.

Given these alarming statements, one might conclude that the time for action has passed us by — while we sat and debated the validity of these ominous predictions regarding climate change. This is not so. While we may have missed the most opportune moments to act, the IPCC's report goes on to state that the severity of rising temperatures and sea levels are still largely dependent upon human actions in the present.

We have long known that Hawai'i, as an isolated archipelago, would be profoundly affected by the negative consequences of human actions (and inactions) regarding greenhouse gas emissions. With this in mind, we formed the Climate Change Caucus to create a greater sense of awareness and environmental responsibility among policy makers here at the state Legislature.

A year after the IPCC's fourth assessment report, the Hawai'i House of Representatives' Climate Change Caucus now includes 28 of 51 members in the House of Representatives. The Climate Change Caucus' inaugural package is intended to serve a dual purpose: First, to reduce our reliance upon expensive, environmentally harmful, and utterly unsustainable generation of power from fossil fuel; and second, to serve as an example to other states who have not yet addressed the climate change issue.

Our inaugural legislative package seeks, among other things, to jump-start in earnest the implementation of renewable energy systems in Hawai'i's power portfolio. Our keystone bill this session will establish the Hawai'i Energy Loan Program. This program will stimulate the development of renewable energy projects in Hawai'i by providing low-interest loans to fund qualifying renewable energy projects.

Passage of House Bill 2101 will establish HELP, and promote conservation and development of renewable energy projects that produce energy from renewable resources, including solar, wind, wave, geothermal, biomass and waste heat or water resources; use recycled materials to create new products; conserve energy; or use alternative fuels.

Facilitating renewable energy projects in Hawai'i will protect our natural resources and fragile environment, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other states with similar energy objectives are placing their state's credit on the line to encourage sustainable energy practices and renewable energy projects. HB 2101 has been referred to the committees on Energy and Environmental Protection, and Finance.

Other Climate Change Caucus bills include HB 2102, which will establish the Hawai'i Clean Vehicle Incentive Program offering rebates to consumers who purchase low-emission vehicles, and HB 2104, which directs the consumer advocate to advocate for the increased use of renewable energy resources to produce electricity for public consumption.

Hawai'i's public utilities are its largest consumers of fossil fuels; while this might be in the best interest of shareholders and oil companies, the public is forced to pay exorbitant rates for an unclean, unsustainable source of power.

The general consumer will benefit greatly in the long run from renewable energy systems, as they will lower electric bills and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

HB 2107 requires the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs in state buildings and establishes a public education campaign to promote private use of CFLs. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

Addressing the impacts of climate change on a local, federal, and global level will pose the greatest challenge humanity has faced in its relatively short tenure on this planet. As an island state blessed with an abundance of powerful natural resources, it is imperative that we become leaders in the push for sustainable living practices, to ensure long-term economic and environmental health for our Hawai'i.