Hawaii experienced a major climate-related disaster in August 2023, when high winds and dry weather fed wildfires that swept across the island of Maui (Credit: boscorelli/Adobe Stock)
Lawmakers in Hawaii have passed a resolution encouraging insurance companies and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to reduce insurance costs for local residents by filing subrogation claims against the fossil fuel industry. The resolution states that rising sea and air temperatures from climate change are worsening weather events and destabilizing the state’s climate.
The resolution reads in part: “Overwhelming evidence demonstrates that certain responsible polluters in the fossil fuel industry have been aware of their contribution to climate change for decades, and have knowingly engaged in misleading and deceptive practices regarding the connection between their products and climate change, exacerbating climate-related harms.”
Not only has the climate been destabilized, but so has much of the property and casualty insurance industry. This has led to premium increases for customers as well as a bump in nonrenewal rates.
“Insurers and injured parties have previously pursued claims against responsible parties related to the opioid epidemic, big tobacco, and other major parties responsible for widespread damages affecting insurance premiums to ensure that the burden of financial loss does not fall solely on policyholders and taxpayers,” the resolution continues.
Hawaii experienced a major climate-related disaster in August 2023, when high winds and dry weather fed wildfires that swept across the island of Maui. These fires destroyed more than 2,000 structures, caused around $5.5 billion in damages and killed more than 100 people.
The resolution passed both the Hawaii House of Representatives and Senate and was adopted in its final form on April 21.
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