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We represent a group of high school students who are worried about our future. Not enough is being done to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses that are warming the Earth and fueling climate disasters globally, nationally, and locally.

However, when we ponder about our future, we imagine an environment that enables every one of us to reach our fullest potential.

We seek to collaborate with other youth who have the same outlook and want to take action to create a more livable future for all of us. Join us to make your voices heard and help shape a future that inspires hope, restoration, and endless possibilities for future generations. Together, we can make a difference.

Nevertheless, at times, each of us fears a future of an environment so harsh that we must expend all our waking hours simply trying to survive. It is not a future that inspires hopes of positive endeavors, nor a future that we look forward to.

From our perspective, our future is being undermined. Maybe it is unintentional, but anyone who keeps up with current events knows that climate-fueled disasters are becoming more frequent and extreme.

These disasters have affected the lives of everyone, of all ages, no matter where you come from, from the effects of the coastal erosion on the North Shore of Oahu to the increased wildfires in the meadows of Montana to the reduced snowfall in the northeast of the U.S. These clear signs of climate change are a desperate call to action.

Without action, our future and the future of many generations are endangered.

Throughout our experience witnessing issues across our islands, such as sea levels rising, unpredictable weather, and native species going extinct, it’s clear that change needs to be made.

Policies must be implemented, and communities must unite to save our country, islands, and homes. We must unite as the youth of our generation and exhibit determination and perseverance toward creating a better future for all.

At the current slow reduction rate of greenhouse gas emissions globally and nationally, we are plunging toward a worldwide climate disaster characterized by deadly heat waves, floods, wildfires, and droughts. Far too little has been done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even though people have known about climate change for decades.

Part of the problem is rooted simply in our economy and lifestyles. Climate scientists who have urged strong action to mitigate climate change have been ignored, and delay has left us in a critical and vulnerable state.

Fossil fuels are integrated throughout the economy and into our lifestyles. Individually, we can try to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels.

But after trying for a while and having limited success, we realize that it’s a systemic problem. Our economic system severely limits our choices, and it needs to be changed so that we are not so dependent on fossil fuels.

Climate change is an intergenerational issue, therefore, we need to work towards our goals, knowing that this is an issue affecting all of us.

A couple of years ago, the group that we represent organized the first Climate Future Forum to get youth involved in the legislative process. We worked together with Legislators and learned about bills and what must be done to get them passed and implemented.

Building upon the successes of previous events, we are holding another one this Saturday. All youth are invited to participate.

There will be sessions to learn about environmental bills that will be considered by the 2025 Legislature session. Participants will discuss bills, select the ones that align with their interests, track those bills, and learn how to testify on them.

Fortunately, the Legislature that makes it easy, and we will learn to utilize it. Lastly, we have the honor of having senators and representatives at the event to help and answer any burning questions that come to mind.

We urge all our fellow youth to register for the Climate Future Forum, which will be held at the State Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join us to make your voices heard and help shape a future that inspires hope, restoration, and endless possibilities for future generations.

To register, .