In 2017 our Soil Carbon & School Composting Bills have almost made it through all committees and need one last push:
Civics IS Sexy Quick Registration Graphic:
Friday, March 31st 9:30 AM, Senate Ways & Means Committee
Great news! Our carbon farming bill (HB 1578) got another hearing. You can take action and tell the WAM Committee to pass this bill on Friday by using our friend's at the Hawai‘i Center for Food Safety's click to submit button (or follow the steps in the graphic above to include your personal message). Submit testimony now with one click >> http://cfs.center/hb1578
Simple Talking Points
By harnessing the power of photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide into energy and send as much as 40% of that carbon down through their roots to feed hungry microorganisms living in the soil. By incentivizing farming and ranching practices based on regenerative, agroecological principles, we can keep that carbon in the ground where it can enhance crop yields, improve water quality, and increase plants’ resilience to drought, floods, and pathogens.
Hawai‘i has an opportunity to create a Carbon Farming Task Force that will create incentives for farmers and ranchers to improve the resilience of their land and protect their livelihoods and our food security in the face of escalating climate uncertainty. Soil health initiatives are sprouting up around the country, and Hawai‘i can and should become a leader in this hopeful movement!
SUPPORT HB 1577
Composting in Schools
Call/Email Senator Tokuda to ask for a hearing in the Ways & Means Committee (the final hearing for this bill):
phone: 808-587-7215
Simple Talking Points
Already on Oahu, schools have shown a model of progress in diverting food waste into composting systems that are then in turn used to have mini closed-loop agriculture systems on campus. While traditional systems of classroom education still have a place, hands-on experience shows much higher learning retention and engagement possibilities. Farming and agricultural systems in particular have the potential to cross multiple disciplines of study in one living classroom. Students are connected to biology, botany, chemistry, mathematics, economics, engineering, resource management, cultural knowledge, and team work all in one space.
Our food waste problem is one that could be considered tragic considering the amount of people going without. Nearly 30% of all consumer food is wasted – going to landfills or incinerators which are not part of a closed loop that maximizes the potential for a regenerative economy. This program would have the potential for the DOE to cut its disposal pickup frequency and tipping fees by 50%, resulting in an estimated 7-9 million fewer pounds of wet, organic waste and paper entering Hawaii’s landfills and incinerator(s).