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.
- 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 […]
- Reflexiones de la próxima generación sobre el mes de la Tierraby EHN Editors on April 26, 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 […]
- How the overseas owners of the UK’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 […]
- Scientists discuss the insidious threat of microplastics at congressional hearingby EHN Curators on April 25, 2024 at 11:47 am
At a recent Senate and Assembly environment committee hearing, experts highlighted the extensive spread and health risks of microplastics, urging legislative […]
- 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 […]
- Opinion: Rethinking plastic production for a healthier futureby EHN Curators on April 25, 2024 at 11:30 am
Delegates meet to reshape the global approach to plastic pollution at the UN treaty talks, highlighting industry influence and warning of greenwashing. Judith […]
- 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 […]
- Medical anthropologist in Arizona enhances environmental science using local narrativesby EHN Curators on April 24, 2024 at 10:04 pm
Researcher Denise Moreno-Ramirez utilizes oral histories to deepen environmental science research, highlighting community impacts from neglected toxic […]
- 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 […]
- Survey finds that 60 firms are responsible for half of world’s plastic pollutionby Sofia Quaglia on April 24, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Study confirms Altria, Philip Morris International, Danone, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are worst offendersFewer than 60 multinationals are responsible for […]
- Tory duty on Ofwat protects profits over reducing sewage pollution, experts sayby Helena Horton Environment reporter on April 24, 2024 at 4:24 pm
Campaigners fear growth duty will hamper water regulator’s ability to crack down on companies in poor financial stateThe Conservatives have pushed through a […]
- LISTEN: Greer Hamilton on arts-based environmental justice researchby EHN Editors on April 24, 2024 at 11:14 am
Dr. Greer Hamilton joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss how she uses the arts to engage and involve communities around […]
- PlastChem: State-of-the-science of hazardous chemicals in plasticby Sarah Howard on April 24, 2024 at 11:00 am
This new state-of-the science report from the PlastChem project addresses chemicals of concern in plastics and ways to address them.
- Webinar: Endocrine disruptors and hormone levels during pregnancyby Sarah Howard on April 24, 2024 at 9:45 am
Can endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) influence a mother’s hormone levels during pregnancy? In this May 7 webinar, Brad Ryva and Dr. Diana Pacyga will […]
- "Climate change is not something to ignore"by EHN Editors on April 24, 2024 at 9:30 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 […]
- From poisoning to skin diseases: multiple effects of sargassum on healthby Olivia Losbar on April 24, 2024 at 9:29 am
This is a republishing collaboration with Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, where this originally published. See the full series, Caribbean People at Risk […]
- Desde intoxicaciones hasta enfermedades de la piel: múltiples los efectos del sargazo en la saludby Olivia Losbar on April 24, 2024 at 9:28 am
Este artículo fue publicado originalmente por el Centro de Periodismo Investigativo. Hace parte de la serie de reportajes "Caribeños en riesgo por la […]
- New global discussions focus on halting plastic pollutionby EHN Curators on April 24, 2024 at 8:35 am
Thousands gather in Ottawa to draft a legally-binding treaty aimed at halting the surge of plastic pollution worldwide. Will it protect the environment and […]
- Opinion: European court's climate ruling holds lessons for action on plastic pollutionby EHN Curators on April 24, 2024 at 8:01 am
A recent landmark decision by the European Court of Human Rights held Switzerland accountable for inadequate climate policies, specifically highlighting the […]
- More than one-third of people in the US exposed to harmful air pollution – reportby Aliya Uteuova on April 24, 2024 at 4:01 am
American Lung Association’s State of the Air report states nearly 131 million people are exposed to ozone and particle pollutionNearly four in 10 people in […]
- Después de 13 años, no se ve un final a la invasión de sargazo en el Caribeby Krista Campbell on April 23, 2024 at 4:15 pm
Este artículo fue publicado originalmente por el Centro de Periodismo Investigativo. Hace parte de la serie de reportajes "Caribeños en riesgo por la […]
- A renewed push for the Recovering America's Wildlife Act faces competitionby EHN Curators on April 23, 2024 at 3:16 pm
The outcome of these legislative efforts is crucial for ensuring the protection and recovery of thousands of at-risk species across the U.S.Erin X. Wong […]
- After 13 years, no end in sight for Caribbean sargassum invasionby Krista Campbell on April 23, 2024 at 11:33 am
This is a republishing collaboration with Centro de Periodismo Investigativo, where this originally published. See the full series, Caribbean People at Risk […]
- “We should take care of what is precious to us"by EHN Editors on April 23, 2024 at 11:32 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 […]
- Planet versus plastics: the global battle for a cleaner futureby EHN Curators on April 23, 2024 at 11:31 am
Microplastics are pervasive, from Mount Everest to the Marianas Trench, affecting our air, water and health. How should the world respond to the ever-growing […]
- Opinion: The myth of plastic recycling needs reevaluationby EHN Curators on April 23, 2024 at 11:25 am
The author argues that we must confront the reality that recycling does not make plastic any less harmful or more sustainable, suggesting a move towards […]
- ‘Currents bring life – and plastics’: animals of Galápagos live amid mounds of wasteby Karen McVeigh in the Galápagos Islands on April 23, 2024 at 11:00 am
As diplomats search for a deal to curb the world’s growing problem of plastic, piles of bottles, buoys, nets and packaging keep building up in what should be […]
- World must come together to tackle plastic pollution, says chair of UN talksby Sandra Laville, Environment correspondent on April 23, 2024 at 9:34 am
Ecuadorian ambassador to the UK is hopeful impasse can be overcome at treaty negotiations in OttawaAs UN talks begin to agree the first global treaty to reduce […]
- Dutch flower growers urged to halt pesticide use amid health concernsby EHN Curators on April 22, 2024 at 8:07 pm
The use of pesticides remains high in floriculture compared to other crops, despite a general decline since 2012.Senay Boztas reports for The Guardian.In […]
- Earth Day reflections from the next generationby EHN Editors on April 22, 2024 at 12:01 pm
HOUSTON — In honor of Earth Day 2024, EHN is publishing letters from eighth grade students at YES Prep Northbrook Middle School in the Houston-area […]
- ‘Where can you hide from pollution?’: cancer rises 30% in Beirut as diesel generators poison cityby Abbie Cheeseman in Beirut on April 22, 2024 at 6:00 am
Lebanon’s economy and electricity system are broken and much power is now generated locally, with devastating effects on air quality and healthSmog hangs […]
- ‘No dividing line’: consultants advising private water companies also work for their regulator, Ofwatby Andrew Kersley on April 21, 2024 at 9:00 am
Campaigners call for the whole regulatory system to be replaced after Observer analysis finds watchdog spent more than £25m with consultanciesThe water […]
- ‘Ban them until we know they’re safe’: Dutch flower growers urged to stop using pesticidesby Senay Boztas in Sassenheim on April 20, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Organic float at annual flower parade a sign of changing times amid concerns over chemicals’ link to neurological disordersFlower farmer John Huiberts stands […]
- ‘Dirty secret’: insiders say UK water firms knowingly break sewage lawsby Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea on April 20, 2024 at 5:00 am
Exclusive: Whistleblowers point to broader sewage scandal, with wastewater systems manipulated to divert sewageWhistleblowers say UK water companies are […]
- Income and power from cow manure | Letterby Guardian Staff on April 19, 2024 at 5:28 pm
Joy Clancy suggests anaerobic digesters could transform the waste into biogas and liquid fertiliserThere is a well-established solution to preventing cow […]