"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe."
–Albert Einstein
Visitors to Hawaii will now be charged a “climate-change tax,” in a US first.
On Tuesday, Hawaii’s Democrat governor Josh Green signed into law a “green fee” for visitors, which will be used to offset their carbon footprint for visiting the islands. It will consist of a 0.75% tax on visitors staying at hotels and rental properties, and cruise-ship passengers will also have to pay a prorated tax for the number of days their ship is in port on the islands.
The new law will take effect in January of next year.
Hawaii has consistently gone further than other US states in imposing restrictions on carbon emissions, whether as a voluntary measure from government or in response to legal action from citizens.
Last year, Hawaii’s Department of Transport (DoT) reached a settlement with 13 teenagers who alleged it was violating the state constitution by operating a transportation system that harms the environment and infringes their right to a pollution-free environment.
Under the settlement, the Hawaii DoT will adopt a plan to hit net-zero emissions by 2045 for ground, air and marine transportation. Emissions targets are set for five-year intervals.
The DoT has promised to take “any actions necessary” to meet the emissions targets, including creating a volunteer youth council to advise the department and the establishment of a special unit under the direction of a “Climate Change Mitigation and Culture Manager.”



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