Integrating Data-Driven Models & Community Resilience for Climate Action in Hawaiʻi

By Hayley Peter-Contesse, PhD and Heather McMillen, PhD
Presented October 23, 2024
We explore how data-driven soil carbon modeling and community-based approaches to ecosystem services and resilience can inform climate solutions for Hawaiʻi's agroecosystems, while also supporting local producers and practitioners who steward the land. Baseline soil carbon stocks, along with detailed maps, represent a critical knowledge gap in Hawaiʻi's agroecosystems. By characterizing regional drivers of carbon sequestration and loss, data-driven approaches not only address these gaps but also provide tools for equitable decision-making, particularly in communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and in communities who have a long history of adapting to environmental change. Integrating cultural ecosystem services and community perspectives into land-use scenarios- such as agroforestry and native forest restoration- can strengthen both ecological and cultural resilience. Participatory methods ensure that land management strategies reflect the values and needs of local communities, enhancing their capacity to adapt to climate change. Our discussion will explore how combining scientific data and community-based knowledge can drive more resilient state-level land management strategies, contributing to climate mitigation and sustainable agriculture in Hawaiʻi.