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.
- Officials push for national PFAS drinking water standardby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 1:14 pm
A New Mexico environmental official and others say setting a national drinking water standard for so-called “forever chemicals” is needed to […]
- The Acceleration of an Antarctic Glacier Shows How Global Warming Can Rapidly Break Up Polar Ice and Raise Sea Level - Inside Climate Newsby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 1:06 pm
The Pine Island Glacier, sometimes called the “soft underbelly” of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, suddenly started moving about 10 to 12 percent […]
- Corps of Engineers plugging last hole in New Orleans river levee - at its own building | Environment | nola.comby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 12:51 pm
A contractor has resumed building a floodwall to plug a major low spot in the Mississippi River levee - at the Army Corps of Engineers' own New Orleans […]
- WHITE HOUSE: Biden releases his first regulatory agendaby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 12:44 pm
President Biden today unveiled his first sweeping regulatory plan, revealing plans to continue unraveling the Trump administration's environmental rollbacks on […]
- EPA looks at tougher standards for key air pollutant that could affect Philadelphiaby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 12:33 pm
The Environmental Protection Agency said this week it will reconsider strengthening standards for fine particulate matter, and that could impact Philadelphia, […]
- Tar sands companies aim for 'net zero' by 2050 - with no plan to extract less oilby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 12:08 pm
The alliance of Canadian oil producers makes no mention of winding down oil production, which modelling shows is necessary to achieve global climate goals
- ‘We’re causing our own misery’: oceanographer Sylvia Earle on the need for sea conservationby Fiona Harvey Environment correspondent on June 12, 2021 at 7:00 am
‘Queen of the Deep’ says it is not too late to reverse human-made damage to oceans and preserve biodiversityThe world has the opportunity in the […]
- Pulitzer Finalist: Palm oil labor abuses linked to world’s top brands, banksby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 1:15 am
PENINSULAR MALAYSIA (AP) — Jum’s words tumble out over the phone, his voice growing ever more frantic...
- Biden to overturn Trump rule allowing roads in Tongass National Forestby Peter Dykstra on June 12, 2021 at 12:44 am
The Trump rule was part of Republican efforts to expand logging operations in the forest.
- CICADA-PALOOZA!by Peter Dykstra on June 11, 2021 at 9:30 pm
I'm not terribly disappointed that, by moving from Washington D.C. to Georgia, I've missed the last two Brood X cicada invasions.Let's get a few things […]
- Building back severed communitiesby EHN Staff on June 11, 2021 at 2:39 pm
The Biden administration wants to reconnect historically Black and Latino neighborhoods cut off by highway construction. There’s promise and peril in […]
- These garden mentors are growing equityby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 11:23 am
Master gardeners are helping fight food insecurity by supporting home gardening to build healthier communities.
- Peter Wohlleben, the German forester who wants the world to idolize treesby Jim Germond on June 11, 2021 at 11:22 am
Peter Wohlleben’s “The Hidden Life of Trees” became an unlikely best-seller, and now has a sequel. Does it matter if the books are full of […]
- Why a California oil workers union is backing clean energyby Megan McLaughlin on June 11, 2021 at 11:21 am
The dominant narrative about labor unions and climate change is that fossil fuel workers are a major roadblock to action. There's good reason for that […]
- Future of industrial Mon Valley should be cleaner, speakers sayby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 11:02 am
Activists call on political, business, civic, academic leaders to support tougher emissions standards for Mon Valley's biggest polluter.
- How a Russian vessel's grounding highlights perils of Arctic shippingby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:59 am
A report on the 2018 grounding of a Russian ship in the Canadian Arctic points out the many dangers of a coming shipping boom in an increasingly ice-free […]
- 4 climate obstacles facing Biden at the G-7by Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:56 am
Here’s what to watch for as the president tries to find common ground with world leaders.
- In Michigan, making the outdoors more accessible to people of colorby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:50 am
Black and brown people from urban areas face many barriers to outdoor recreation. Here's how one group overcame them on Lake Superior.
- Acres in federal ag conservation program have decreased steadily in past decadeby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:39 am
Since 2007, the number of acres the government has paid farmers and ranchers to conserve has declined. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation […]
- There is not currently enough public pressure to force the economy to decarbonize by 2050by Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:36 am
“The main frontier for deep decarbonization right now is social and political—it is a question of power,” says the author of a new study that […]
- Michigan’s climate-ready future: Wetland parks, less cement, roomy shoresby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:20 am
As climate change alters our world, Michigan's bounty of fresh water — if managed smartly — could be the foundation of a thriving state economy and […]
- Gore pressed Biden to stick with climate plans as liberals fear White House is softening its agendaby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 10:09 am
The president and former vice president had a private phone call amid concerns the White House might strip climate measures from infrastructure deal.
- OSHA issues COVID workplace safety rule, but only for health careby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:57 am
The Labor Department says it will issue optional guidance to other employers. Some advocacy groups say more is needed.
- C.D.C. calls for updated childhood vaccinations after decline last yearby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:54 am
The number of vaccine doses administered to children dropped by as much 63 percent as stay-at-home orders were issued in spring of 2020.
- The C.D.C.’s new leader follows the science. Is that enough?by Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:53 am
By all accounts, Dr. Rochelle Walensky is a fierce advocate and an empathetic scientist. But C.D.C. advice must be better attuned to the real world, critics […]
- GM tells White House it agrees to tighter emissions rulesby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:51 am
The tighter fuel economy and tailpipe pollution rules are along the lines of what California has already agreed to with five other auto companies.
- First Solar to build panel factory in Ohioby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:50 am
First Solar will invest $680 million for the new plant, and is expected to add 500 jobs.
- Maps show the severe drought gripping California and the Westby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:48 am
Maps show that drought conditions are the most widespread and severe in at least 20 years, with reservoirs running dry.
- EPA to review rules on soot linked to deaths, which Trump declined to tightenby Autumnspanne1 on June 11, 2021 at 9:44 am
The Biden administration says it will consider tougher limits on a deadly air pollutant that disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities.
- Sri Lanka’s worst ever maritime disaster reveals the true cost of our identity crisis | Sandali Handagamaby Sandali Handagama on June 11, 2021 at 9:00 am
We must find a way to embrace shipping, the ocean and our place in the world without shackling ourselves to unpayable foreign debtGrowing up in Sri Lanka in […]
- Drones allow scientists a bird’s-eye view of seabird coloniesby Jim Germond on June 11, 2021 at 2:48 am
Instead of trekking on foot, a Duke University team used drones to count large seabird colonies on a small island chain off the Falkland Islands.
- Slash-and-burn clearing nears Indigenous park as Brazil’s fire season ignitesby Jim Germond on June 11, 2021 at 2:28 am
Xingu Indigenous Park shields a large tract of old growth rainforest in Brazil's "arc of deforestation," and is inhabited by dozens of Indigenous communities.
- Developers End Pursuit of World’s Largest Methanol Refinery Planned for Washingtonon June 11, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Takeaway food and drink litter dominates ocean plastic, study showsby Damian Carrington Environment editor on June 10, 2021 at 3:41 pm
Just 10 plastic products make up 75% of all items and scientists say the pollution must be stopped at sourcePlastic items from takeaway food and drink dominate […]
- Court Halts Drilling on 630 Square Miles of Federal Oil Leases in Key Sage-grouse Habitaton June 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
- TVA’s Plans to Replace Largest Coal Plant With Dirty Gas Meet Oppositionon June 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Groups to Biden: Halt New Oil Drilling, Cancel Trump Leases on Public Landson June 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lifesaving Habitat Protection Proposed for Vanishing Mussel in Texas, New Mexicoon June 9, 2021 at 12:00 am
- First New Wolf Pups In a Century Born In Northern Coloradoon June 9, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Forest Service Protections Sought for Wolves in Idaho, Montana Wildernesseson June 9, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Global carbon dioxide levels continued to rise despite pandemicby Katharine Gammon on June 8, 2021 at 7:00 am
Emissions rose to 419 parts per million in May, the highest such measurement in the 63 years that the data has been recordedThe data is in: carbon dioxide […]
- North Carolina Catfish, Salamander Protected Under Endangered Species Acton June 8, 2021 at 12:00 am
- EPA Agrees to Ban Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticide Propazineon June 8, 2021 at 12:00 am
- ‘A Wake for the Whales’ Marks Bay Area Deaths, Calls for New Protectionson June 8, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Federal Appeals Court Rejects Trump Administration’s Last-Minute Approval of Toxic Pesticide Banned in More Than 100 Countrieson June 7, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Flea-Control Products Found to Be Infested With Forever Chemicalson June 7, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Mining in the Pacific: a blessing and a curseby Lyanne Togiba in Port Moresby and Ben Doherty on June 6, 2021 at 8:00 pm
Millions of tonnes of fuel, oil and minerals are extracted from the region – but some communities have little to show for it but devastationHow a tiny […]
- When falling down doesn’t get a laugh | Briefsby Letters on June 6, 2021 at 5:14 pm
Age check | Water quality | Beckett’s wedding | Wheels | AgeingThose readers wondering about appearing in your birthdays column (Letters, 1 June) should […]
- ‘Sea snot’: Turkish minister announces plan to tackle slimy scourgeby Reuters on June 6, 2021 at 1:54 pm
Substance has spread through sea south of Istanbul, posing threat to marine life and fishing industryTurkey’s environment minister has pledged to defeat […]
- Water fight: the battle for London’s Victorian drinking fountainsby Dalya Alberge on June 6, 2021 at 5:45 am
Heritage charity says many ‘renovated’ monuments are filled with cement, not water, so can’t quench thirst or help reduce plastic […]