Story highlights Hawaii official: "We want to be the trendsetter for the world"

Several states and cities have pledged to uphold climate change guidelines

(CNN) Hawaii on Tuesday became the first state in the country with laws that implement portions of the Paris climate deal.

Gov. David Ige signed two laws that aim to reduce greenhouse emissions and mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, a process to store atmospheric carbon monoxide.

"Our island communities lead the way when it comes to climate change impacts and policies," Ige told reporters. "We also need to be first when it comes to creating solutions.

"We see the impacts of our actions very close to home."

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