My climate journey began in 2005 when I nearly died from a heart attack. As I lay in the back of the ambulance, I kept thinking about how I still had things I wanted to do and I vowed to find my true missions in life and do something meaningful if I survived.  It was while reading the newspaper in the recovery room that  my first mission came to me. I read about the coral reefs dying and I knew I had to act. I fell in love with the ocean when I first moved to Hawaii at 18, and ending the use of carbon-based fuel was the obvious solution. It's the foundation for everything else I've done since then.

I embarked on a powerful journey to clean up Hawaii  and end our reliance on carbon-based fuel, and founded the Blue Planet Foundation. Through hard work and determination, my foundation gained public support and we achieved a remarkable feat: Hawaii became the first state in the nation with a mandate for 100% renewable energy by 2045. Twenty-one states and two territories followed and now have 100% clean energy goals, including California, New York and Illinois.. Let this be a testament to the power of everyday people taking action towards a better, cleaner, and more sustainable future.

Renewable energy is crucial in a sustainable future so my next mission was to create the ultimate renewable energy backup. To accomplish this, I decided to try solar without relying on the grid. With determination, I took my 28-acre ranch and Honolulu home off the grid. 
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I told my team that I wanted a battery that was environmentally friendly and dependable. After thorough research, we discovered ferrous phosphate batteries, which are installed at my now off-grid ranch and Honolulu home. As word of my success spread, people began to approach me for help to live off the grid. We started helping other people, and that turned into a company called Blue Planet Energy. And now we have over 200 dealers nationwide that help energy professionals add battery energy storage systems (BESS) to their projects.

I take pride in the Puerto Rico projects that we were part of  after Hurricane Maria. It's a testament to how we can work with a diverse group of people and make a positive impact on those who are in dire need. During a time of great loss and devastation, we were able to provide a sense of security, safety, and hope for those affected.

The hurricane in Puerto Rico was disastrous. All of the emergency shelters failed during the storm because they were connected to the grid. When the power went out, there was no electricity. No electricity meant no access to food, refrigeration, lighting - essentials. Working closely with the Red Cross, we installed energy storage systems in 120 schools across the island. Since then, Puerto Rico has faced other emergencies, such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and the emergency shelters have been functioning properly thanks to the solar plus energy storage systems.

I believe that the young people of today are the key to fighting climate change. They understand that this is their world that's being destroyed, and they care deeply about what happens to it. It's disheartening to hear older people say that it's not their problem because they won't be around to see the worst of it. What about their children? What about their grandchildren? Don't they care about their future?

It's the young people who are the most interested and hungry for information. They understand what's going on with climate change better than most older people. That's why I'm calling on young people to take action. I want to see a movement, I want to see energy coming from young people saying, "No, we've had enough. We're not going to let you do this to our world." This is your world, and you deserve to inherit it in the same condition that it was given to your parents and grandparents.

So I'm asking you to get involved. Seek information, spread the word, and demand change. We need to act now to protect our planet and ensure a livable future for generations to come. The time to act is now, and the young people of today are the ones who will make a difference.