BeyondKONA: Politics & Policy
Power, politics, money, and finally policy are undeniably linked in every modern democracy, and Hawai’i is no different in this regard, yet the Aloha spirit can set Hawai’i apart from mainland and global political influences. Vested interests may work to divide us, but we are one island and one community living together here on Hawai’i Island.
Outsized voices seek to fulfill special interest agendas; some succeed by influencing government policy that benefits a few at the expense of many. Hawai’i can transition to a home grown clean energy economy that benefits all, and supports sustainable lifestyles once successfully practiced by the ancient Hawaiians serving as our guide for the 21st century.
Hawaii’s rich environment and its people are its primary assets. Community participation is the political engine that drives policy and solutions — both require public voices to be heard loud and clear in our island community and across the state legislature. All good things are possible when guided by science, progressive governance, cultural and economic fulfillment.
- Labour concern grows over donations to Vaughan Gething’s campaign in Walesby Steven Morris on May 2, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Welsh first minister urged to pay back £200,000 to firm whose owner was convicted of environmental crimesThere is growing anger and concern within the Labour […]
- Op-ed: When it comes to food chemicals, Europe’s food safety agency and the FDA are oceans apartby Linda S. Birnbaum on May 2, 2024 at 11:54 am
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are two major global agencies in charge of food chemical safety. It […]
- Gender differences exist in the effects of "forever chemicals"by EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:53 am
"Forever chemicals," or PFAS, have been linked to adverse health impacts that vary by gender, affecting men and women differently. Sharon Udasin and Rachel […]
- The court orders dismissal of a youth-led climate lawsuit against the US governmentby EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:48 am
A federal appeals court has instructed the district court to dismiss a climate change lawsuit filed by youth plaintiffs against the U.S. government, denying […]
- New studies reveal genetic adaptations in California birdsby EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:31 am
Two studies reveal how genetic changes in bird populations in California respond to environmental threats, highlighting the potential for adaptation and the […]
- Big oil spent decades sowing doubt about fossil fuel dangers, experts testifyby EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:24 am
Experts and lawmakers, during a Senate hearing, revealed a strategic shift by the fossil fuel industry from outright climate denial to more sophisticated […]
- New ideas shed light on addressing climate issuesby EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:23 am
Environmental scientist Hannah Ritchie discusses how technological advances could lead to a more sustainable future in the face of climate challenges.Ezra […]
- Revolutionizing reusable packaging will require collaborative solutionby EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:21 am
A new report emphasizes the need for standardized reusable packaging systems to combat plastic waste and encourages unified efforts to achieve global […]
- US response to bird flu and other infectious diseases is off balanceby EHN Curators on May 2, 2024 at 11:20 am
The U.S. is mishandling the threat posed by H5N1 avian flu, as well as other infectious diseases, by both under- and overreacting to the risks […]
- Big River Watch: public to monitor UK and Irish rivers for pollutionby Helena Horton Environment reporter on May 2, 2024 at 10:55 am
Rivers Trust is asking citizen scientists to record observations of local waterways on free appPeople in Britain and Ireland are being asked to monitor their […]
- New US climate rules for pollution cuts ‘probably terminal’ for coal-fired plantsby Oliver Milman on May 2, 2024 at 10:00 am
Experts say only ‘handful of plants’ operating with the dirtiest fuel will likely survive, and only Trump and lawsuits could save them New climate rules […]
- Keir Starmer must flush away the stinking turd of Thatcher’s water privatisation | Lettersby Guardian Staff on May 1, 2024 at 4:53 pm
Ofwat is just going through the regulatory motions and Labour must act after the election, says Peter Timberlake. However, Bill Kingdom says public ownership […]
- Oil companies leverage academic partnerships to influence climate change actionby EHN Curators on May 1, 2024 at 11:27 am
Oil companies are strategically partnering with universities to influence climate change research and policy, recently revealed documents show. Emma Dumain and […]
- Op-ed: After decades of disinformation, the US finally begins regulating PFAS chemicalsby Derrick Z. Jackson on May 1, 2024 at 11:08 am
Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would regulate two forms of PFAS contamination under Superfund laws reserved for “the […]
- EPA restricts toxic chemical to protect healthby EHN Curators on May 1, 2024 at 10:56 am
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has banned consumer use of methylene chloride, a paint stripper linked to cancer, while allowing certain commercial […]
- Games weave climate education into funby EHN Curators on May 1, 2024 at 10:39 am
Games are increasingly being used as educational tools to engage and teach players about climate change and sustainability.Kiley Price reports for Inside […]
- Promising environmental advancements signal hope amid climate concerns in 2024by EHN Curators on May 1, 2024 at 10:35 am
Amid widespread climate anxiety, 2024 has ushered in numerous environmental successes, from renewable energy breakthroughs to significant legislative […]
- Reflexiones de la próxima generación sobre el mes de la Tierraby EHN Editors on May 1, 2024 at 10:00 am
HOUSTON — En homenaje al Día de la Tierra, EHN en Español (EHNe) está publicando cartas de estudiantes del octavo grado de YES Prep Northbrook Middle […]
- All we wanted was to protect the River Wye from pollution. Now we’re stuck in a catch-22 | Oliver Bulloughby Oliver Bullough on May 1, 2024 at 9:00 am
To protect our local river we had to prove it was being used for swimming. But that, bizarrely, is the reason we were rejectedThe state of Britain’s rivers […]
- Las negociaciones sobre el plástico concluyen sin acuerdo para reducir su producciónby Autumnspanne1 on April 30, 2024 at 3:10 pm
El esperado tratado del plástico, podría ser el acuerdo más importante relacionado con las emisiones que provocan el cambio climático y la protección del […]
- EHN reporter discusses chemical recycling on "Living on Earth"by EHN Editors on April 30, 2024 at 11:32 am
PITTSBURGH — EHN Reporter Kristina Marusic joined NPR's "Living on Earth" to discuss proposed chemical recycling plants in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West […]
- Global plastic treaty talks stall without consensusby EHN Curators on April 30, 2024 at 11:27 am
Talks were scheduled to end on Monday but continued overnight as negotiators sparred over how to address overproduction.Valerie Volcovici reports for […]
- White House introduces new permitting rules focusing on climate and community impactsby EHN Curators on April 30, 2024 at 11:26 am
The Biden administration has issued new guidelines aimed at accelerating clean energy projects while considering their environmental and community […]
- Developed countries accused of bowing to lobbyists at plastic pollution talksby Sandra Laville Environment correspondent on April 30, 2024 at 9:57 am
Campaigners say last-minute compromise plays into the hands of petrostates and industry influencesCampaigners are blaming developed countries for capitulating […]
- UK water sports alliance calls on government to end ‘death-knell’ pollutionby Sean Ingle on April 30, 2024 at 9:41 am
Clean Water Alliance lays out three-part strategy for action‘Further and faster action on pollution’ needed, says groupSeven water-based sports, including […]
- Countries consider pact to reduce plastic production by 40% in 15 yearsby Sandra Laville Environment correspondent on April 29, 2024 at 11:27 am
Motion sets out worldwide target in alignment with Paris agreement to limit global heating to 1.5CCountries are for the first time considering restrictions on […]
- Meet the champions of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prizeby EHN Curators on April 29, 2024 at 11:27 am
The Goldman Environmental Prize celebrates its 35th year by recognizing seven environmental leaders who have made significant impacts in their regions.Liz […]
- The world has a chance to end plastic pollution – the petrochemical giants mustn’t spoil it | Steve Fletcherby Steve Fletcher on April 29, 2024 at 10:00 am
The UN global plastic treaty could be as important as the 2015 Paris accords, if negotiators can stand up to industry lobbyistsLast week, in an enormous […]
- Rising sea levels pose new challenges for southern US coastsby EHN Curators on April 29, 2024 at 9:00 am
A rapid increase in sea levels across the southern U.S. is compelling coastal communities to adapt to unprecedented environmental changes. Chris Mooney, Brady […]
- Jeepney strike under way in Philippines as deadline to modernise nearsby Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok and Guill Ramos in Manila on April 29, 2024 at 7:28 am
Government tells operators they must join cooperatives by Tuesday and gradually replace their vehicles with greener optionsA three-day strike by drivers of […]
- The hidden risks of household cleaners on brain healthby EHN Curators on April 26, 2024 at 2:06 pm
New research highlights potential dangers from common cleaning chemicals known as quats. Teddy Amenabar reports for The Washington Post.In short:Scientists […]
- Understanding the risks of PFAS in your environmentby EHN Curators on April 26, 2024 at 1:50 pm
A comprehensive look at PFAS dangers and protections.Keren Landman reports for Vox.In short: Sandy Wynn-Stelt discovered high levels of PFAS in her drinking […]
- We are all contaminated with plastic, a test revealsby EHN Curators on April 26, 2024 at 1:44 pm
A test by Million Marker has unveiled widespread plastic contamination in humans, with bisphenols and phthalates present in most individuals. Jeffrey Kluger […]
- Flint's children: a decade of struggle and resilienceby EHN Curators on April 26, 2024 at 1:38 pm
A decade after the Flint water crisis, its youngest victims still face health and developmental challenges. Shantal Riley reports for Harvard Public Health […]
- Why a “fracking refugee” is attending the global plastics treaty negotiationsby Kristina Marusic on April 26, 2024 at 11:17 am
Jill Hunkler, an Ohio resident who considers herself a “fracking refugee,” is telling her family’s story at the global plastics treaty negotiations in […]
- Opinion: Houston's petrochemical exports fuel Europe's growing plastics crisisby EHN Curators on April 26, 2024 at 11:07 am
Europe grapples with escalating plastic pollution, driven by petrochemical imports from Texas. A recent report by Amnesty International shows how some of these […]
- How the overseas owners of England’s water companies clean up by polluting our rivers | George Monbiotby George Monbiot on April 26, 2024 at 7:00 am
Soiled seas and huge shareholder dividends: where has the £64bn borrowed by firms since privatisation gone?So that’s how they do it. I’d been wondering […]
- Mount Fuji view to be blocked as tourists overcrowd popular photo spotby Agence France-Presse on April 26, 2024 at 6:46 am
Fujikawaguchiko town official says choice to erect huge barrier is ‘regrettable’ and last resortA huge barrier to block views of Mount Fuji will be […]
- Noise from traffic stunts growth of baby birds, study findsby Sofia Quaglia on April 25, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Researchers also find zebra finches 20% less likely to hatch from eggs if exposed to noise pollutionNoise pollution from traffic stunts growth in baby birds, […]
- "Ecovillages" around the globe are a realistic glimpse of a sustainable futureby EHN Curators on April 25, 2024 at 4:12 pm
The writers explore how communities prioritize sustainability through advanced agricultural techniques and community-focused living.Stephanie Hanes and Sara […]
- Britain’s natural landscape is in ruins – thanks to the Tories. Here’s how Labour will restore it | Steve Reedby Steve Reed on April 25, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Sewage pollutes our waterways, species face extinction. We must act fast to halt the decline – and we willSteve Reed is shadow environment secretaryWe must […]
- I’m asking BP to take its share of responsibility for my son’s death, and will take it to UK court if I have to | Hussein Juloodby Hussein Julood on April 25, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Ali died of cancer last year. He was 21, and had to live in the choking smoke of the Rumaila oilfieldA year has passed since my beautiful boy Ali Julood died. […]
- ‘Privileged access’: pro-plastic lobbyists at UN pollution talks increase by a thirdby Sandra Laville on April 25, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Fossil fuel and petrochemical campaigners at Ottawa summit outnumber scientists, EU and Indigenous delegatesThe number of fossil fuel and petrochemical […]
- ‘Huge disappointment’ as UK delays bottle deposit plan and excludes glassby Helena Horton on April 25, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Scheme for plastic bottles and cans put back to 2027 while environment minister says glass recycling ‘unduly’ complex A UK deposit return scheme for […]
- Exposure to chemicals in plastics linked to cancer diagnoses: Studyby María Paula Rubiano on April 25, 2024 at 11:52 am
There’s an association between higher levels of phenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” and […]
- "Our lives might be on the line"by EHN Editors on April 25, 2024 at 11:50 am
HOUSTON — This week EHN is publishing letters from eighth grade students at YES Prep Northbrook Middle School in the Houston-area neighborhood of Spring […]
- Biden's aggressive new climate policy targets coal pollutionby EHN Curators on April 25, 2024 at 11:49 am
President Biden has introduced stringent regulations on coal power plants to reduce pollution and transition to cleaner energy sources. Alex Guillén and Zack […]
- New rule compels US coal-fired power plants to capture emissions – or shut downby Associated Press on April 25, 2024 at 11:35 am
New EPA directive will cut pollution equivalent to the emissions of 328m cars, but industry group decries it as a ‘reckless plan’Coal-fired power plants […]
- Nature destruction will cause bigger economic slump in UK than 2008 crisis, experts warnby Phillip Inman and Richard Partington on April 25, 2024 at 5:00 am
Green Finance Institute report said further pollution could cut 12% off GDP by 2030sThe destruction of nature over the rest of the decade could trigger a […]
- Mega-warehouses heap more pollution on hard-hit Illinois neighborhoodsby Aliya Uteuova in New York on April 24, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Proliferation of hubs for online shopping disproportionately sited in low-income neighborhoods or communities of colorHundreds of mega-warehouses have been […]