The Sierra Club of Hawaii on Sunday endorsed Gov. David Ige for a second term during a sign- waiving event at the state Capitol.

Colin Yost, chairman of the executive committee for the Sierra Club of Hawaii, said the overwhelming reason the environmental organization backed Ige is his leadership on fighting climate change.

He said climate change is happening faster than predicted and will be especially harmful to Hawaii with rising seawater, stronger hurricanes and new heat records.

He said if global warming continues unabated, the hottest days of the year today in Hawaii will be the coldest day of the year in Hawaii in the next decade.

Yost praised Ige for taking a leadership stance nationally by committing the state to implementing the Paris Agreement despite President Donald Trump withdrawing from the international accord to combat climate change.

Yost also noted Ige’s commitment to make Hawaii the first carbon-neutral state in the nation and to have the state’s power come from 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2045.

In addition, Yost said Ige has chosen suitable individuals to sit on the state Public Utilities Commission, which will develop policies that make it possible for the state to reach Ige’s environmental goals before 2045.

“We just don’t have time to continue on with the status quo,” he said.

Backed by dozens of supporters on the lawn of the Capitol, Ige said the Sierra Club’s endorsement affirms the work his administration has been doing to protect the environment.

“I am so proud of the fact that we’re making progress in taking care of our watersheds, our nearshore ocean waters and really being focused on leaving a better Hawaii to our community for our children,” he said.

Ige’s opponent in the election, U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, released a statement saying the endorsement does not diminish her support for the Sierra Club of Hawaii or her commitment to protecting Hawaii’s natural resources.