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.
- How dementia could be linked to air pollution in early lifeby Gary Fuller on January 24, 2025 at 6:00 am
Scottish researchers find childhood pollution a likely factor, but association with mid-life air quality less clearResearchers in Scotland have found patterns […]
- ‘Chaos agent’ Trump revives California water wars as experts warn of turmoilby Gabrielle Canon on January 23, 2025 at 10:05 pm
President claims to be ‘putting people over fish’ but critics say order could derail years of carefully crafted water policyIt didn’t take long for […]
- New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardantsby María Paula Rubiano on January 23, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Wildfire retardants, the hot-pink mix of water and chemicals sprayed from airplanes by the U.S Forest service to combat wildfires, are under scrutiny after a […]
- UCSF hosting workshops on how to conduct systematic reviewsby Sarah Howard on January 23, 2025 at 3:24 pm
UCSF is hosting two in-person free workshops, Feb. 13 and 14 (beginner and advanced), on "How to Conduct Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses to Improve […]
- Innovations to help shrink healthcare’s carbon footprintby EHN Curators on January 23, 2025 at 2:22 pm
Climate change is making us sick — and the healthcare system is exacerbating the problem. But new strategies suggest it’s possible to clean up our act.
- Nepal's inventive use for waste placentasby EHN Curators on January 22, 2025 at 6:48 pm
The burning of medical waste poses a serious health and environmental danger. Hospitals in Nepal have started turning this hazardous waste into cooking gas.
- Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racistby Laura Diaz on January 22, 2025 at 11:36 am
Beatrice*, an undergraduate student, would join Zoom meetings with her camera off. She was part of a group of undergraduate researchers at Sonoma State […]
- El movimiento por la justicia ambiental necesita financiación anti racistaby Laura Diaz on January 22, 2025 at 10:05 am
Beatrice*, una estudiante de pregrado, siempre se conectaba a las reuniones de Zoom con la cámara apagada. Ella hacía parte de un grupo de investigadores […]
- ‘Drinking PFAS’: water providers call for broad ban on ‘forever chemicals’ amid proliferation fearsby Donna Lu Science writer on January 22, 2025 at 8:05 am
Fifty-one sites in NSW have significant PFAS contamination requiring continued monitoring and remediation, EPA tells Senate inquiryFollow our Australia news […]
- Trump firma acciones para retirar a EE. UU. del acuerdo climático de París e intenta promover los combustibles fósilesby EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:28 pm
El presidente Donald Trump firmó medidas este lunes que consolidan su intención de apostar por los combustibles fósiles y revertir el progreso de Estados […]
- El calentamiento global superó el límite de 1,5 grados en 2024: ¿qué implicaciones tiene?by EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:28 pm
El año 2024 ha sido el primero desde que tenemos registros en el cual la temperatura media global ha superado los 1,5 ºC de calentamiento, pero la cifra es […]
- Fauna silvestre atrapada por el muro fronterizo entre Estados Unidos y Méxicoby EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:25 pm
Cámaras trampa instaladas en la frontera entre Sonora y Arizona documentaron los impactos del muro fronterizo en el movimiento de la fauna.
- La Fed se retira del grupo de regulación mundial del cambio climáticoby EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:21 pm
La decisión se produce tres días antes de la toma de posesión del presidente electo, Donald Trump, que ha criticado previamente los esfuerzos de los […]
- Los trabajadores inmigrantes pronto limpiarán tras los incendios de L.A., ¿podrá el estado mantenerlos seguros de cenizas y toxinas?by EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Trabajadores y jornaleros pronto realizarán tareas de limpieza tras los incendios forestales y pueden estar expuestos a cenizas y toxinas.
- La científica española que vela por proteger tu salud de tóxicos ambientales: "Reducir la contaminación del aire es una prioridad"by EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:17 pm
La almeriense Ana Navas es líder internacional en estudios sobre Salud Ambiental. Desde el departamento de Salud Ambiental de la Universidad de Columbia […]
- La hidrovía del Paraná divide al gobierno, empresas y ambientalistas en Argentinaby EHN Curators on January 21, 2025 at 4:06 pm
El gobierno de Javier Milei quiere ampliar la profundidad del río Paraná para permitir operar a barcos de mayor porte, lo que organizaciones ambientales […]
- Treasury seeks to keep water firm fines earmarked for sewage cleanupsby Rowena Mason and Helena Horton on January 19, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Exclusive: Restoration fund in England could be ‘siphoned off’ to be used for general government spending, not repairing rivers Rachel Reeves’s Treasury […]
- These are the hazards Californians face after fires – and what homeowners can do to protect themselvesby Kyle Bagenstose on January 18, 2025 at 5:14 pm
Angelenos returning to homes in burned areas could be exposed to toxic materials and mudslidesThe wildfires raging across the Los Angeles landscape have […]
- Clean water campaigners claim victory in Windermere sewage caseby Jon Ungoed-Thomas on January 18, 2025 at 5:00 pm
United Utilities has dropped legal fight to block access to data on the discharge of treated sewage in Lake DistrictThe water company United Utilities has […]
- Shutdown at Mexico toxic waste plant after Guardian investigation revealed pollution in nearby homesby Erin McCormick, Guardian US, and Verónica García de León, Quinto Elemento Lab on January 18, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Mexican officials ordered facility to shut down after report on very high levels of pollutants in surrounding neighborhoodRevealed: US hazardous waste is sent […]
- Sydney’s unusual sewerage system to blame for faecal and fat balls on beaches, experts claimby Catie McLeod on January 17, 2025 at 2:00 pm
City invented Australia’s beach culture, environmentalist Richard Gosden says, but all this time ‘it’s been conducted in diluted sewage’Get our […]
- Otters among UK wildlife carrying toxic ‘forever chemicals’, analysis showsby Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea on January 17, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Some wildlife species have accumulated many times more than safe amount of PFAS in their tissue and organsRevealed: drinking water sources in England polluted […]
- Biden finalizes long-awaited hydrogen tax credits ahead of Trump presidencyby Cami Ferrell on January 17, 2025 at 1:00 pm
The Biden administration finalized long-anticipated hydrogen tax credit rules just weeks before Trump takes office.The rules, set by the U.S. Department of the […]
- Closing coal plants in environmental justice communities first would save more lives: Studyby Kristina Marusic on January 17, 2025 at 12:59 pm
PITTSBURGH — As coal-fired power plants shut down in favor of cleaner, cheaper energy sources, prioritizing the shut-down of the plants in vulnerable […]
- Wildfires leave homes intact but tainted with lingering toxic threatsby EHN Curators on January 17, 2025 at 9:14 am
Even homes spared by the L.A. wildfires are plagued by harmful smoke and ash, creating long-term health risks for returning residents.Hiroko Tabuchi reports […]
- UK failing to match EU in fight against ‘forever chemicals’, say scientistsby Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea on January 17, 2025 at 5:00 am
Experts criticise Defra’s decision not to use OECD definition of PFAS, with one asking if move is ‘politically based’What are PFAS, how toxic are they […]
- Webinar: Ultrashort-chain PFAS: the global threat of trifluoroacetic acidby Sarah Howard on January 16, 2025 at 3:35 pm
This Feb. 19, 2025 webinar features Dr. Hans Peter Arp discussing TFA, a degradation product of many refrigerants and a widespread contaminant in the […]
- Revealed: drinking water sources in England polluted with forever chemicalsby Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea on January 16, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Exclusive: Water industry calls for PFAS ban after analysis of sampling data shows contamination across countryWhat are PFAS, how toxic are they and how do you […]
- Reviewing food and farming policy in the Biden administration: a focus on food equity, climate policies and farmersby EHN Curators on January 16, 2025 at 12:16 pm
President Biden’s administration reshaped food and agriculture policy by addressing corporate consolidation, investing in climate-smart farming, restricting […]
- Window to stop decline of England’s nature closing fast, watchdog saysby Helena Horton Environment reporter on January 16, 2025 at 7:00 am
Office for Environmental Protection calls for urgent action after finding government is falling short on most targetsThe window to stop the decline of […]
- California pulls diesel phase-out request to EPA ahead of Trump administrationby Associated Press on January 15, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Air Resources Board withdraws request for approval of rules to limit pollution from diesel trains and big rigsCalifornia’s efforts to limit pollution from […]
- 3M knew firefighting foams containing PFAS were toxic, documents showby Rachel Salvidge and Leana Hosea on January 15, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Exclusive: Newly uncovered documents reveal chemicals giant was aware ‘environmentally neutral’ products did not biodegradeThe multibillion-dollar […]
- Como científico del clima, supe que debía irme de Los Ángelesby EHN Curators on January 15, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Me mudé con mi familia hace dos años porque, a medida que el clima de California se volvía más seco y caluroso, temía que nuestro vecindario fuera […]
- California abandona la prohibición de camiones diésel y otras normas de aire limpio antes de que Trump preste juramentoby EHN Curators on January 15, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Como es poco probable que Trump las apruebe, California abandona sus innovadoras normas para camiones de cero emisiones.
- Una investigación ahonda en los alimentos con más contaminación plástica y los resultados son inquietantesby EHN Curators on January 15, 2025 at 12:20 pm
La organización PlasticList ha analizado 300 productos, algunos de marcas reconocidas, y ha descubierto la presencia en grandes cantidades de nanoplásticos.
- ‘A trash can for the US’: anger in Mexico and Canada over toxic waste shipmentsby Erin McCormick, Guardian US, and Verónica García de León, Quinto Elemento Lab on January 15, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Exclusive: US companies are increasingly shipping toxic waste to other countries, where some argue it poses a riskLeer en español en Quinto Elemento LabUS […]
- Thames Water says it will raise base pay of bosses if Ofwat limits bonusesby Joanna Partridge and Helena Horton on January 15, 2025 at 11:07 am
Struggling water firm tells regulator for England and Wales proposals would make it hard to attract talent to sectorTroubled Thames Water has threatened to […]
- España planea un billete único para el transporte público que valga en todas las ciudades en 2026by EHN Curators on January 15, 2025 at 10:58 am
La medida anunciada por el ministro de Transportes, que ya funciona en Alemania o Austria, consiste en un abono para viajar por todo el país por una cantidad […]
- La historia de Concho, el sapo en peligro que aparece en el nuevo álbum de Bad Bunnyby EHN Curators on January 15, 2025 at 9:00 am
La atención internacional que ha recibido el sapo concho, quien aparece en el álbum de Bad Bunny, representa una valiosa oportunidad.
- Ball-shaped debris washes up at Sydney’s Bondi, Coogee, Maroubra and Cronulla beachesby Catie McLeod and Caitlin Cassidy on January 15, 2025 at 6:59 am
Penny Sharpe says ‘mystery’ debris sent for testing and beaches not closed as there were so few ballsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest […]
- ‘High-risk sites’: where are the UK’s ‘forever chemical’ hotspots?by Leana Hosea and Rachel Salvidge on January 15, 2025 at 6:00 am
An Environment Agency report has identified more than 10,000 ‘high-risk sites’ contaminated with PFASRAF bases are hotspots of ‘forever chemical’ […]
- RAF bases are hotspots of ‘forever chemical’ groundwater pollution, MoD documents showby Leana Hosea and Rachel Salvidge on January 15, 2025 at 6:00 am
Exclusive: Sampling results show ‘extremely concerning’ concentrations of PFOS and PFOA at sites across UKWhere are the UK’s ‘forever chemical’ […]
- The Guardian view on chemical pollution: the UK can’t ignore the risks from PFAS | Editorialby Editorial on January 14, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Efforts by the plastics industry to thwart regulation come from a familiar playbookAs the public wake up to the risk of “forever chemicals”, or PFAS, the […]
- Webinar: PFAS and cancerby Sarah Howard on January 13, 2025 at 4:53 pm
This Jan. 23, 2025 webinar is sponsored by the Health and Environment Alliance and Association of European Cancer Leagues. It will explore links between PFAS […]
- Webinar: Product data for public health: Clearya case studiesby Sarah Howard on January 13, 2025 at 2:55 pm
A variety of tools have been created for collecting consumer product data and making it available for research. This Jan. 30, 2025 webinar will explore one […]
- Ending exposure to two plastic chemicals could have saved over 500,000 lives in one year, study estimatesby Sarah Howard on January 10, 2025 at 10:52 pm
To highlight the dramatic health costs of plastics, a recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences examines the disease burdens of […]
- Senate GOP gears up to dismantle Biden’s regulationsby EHN Curators on January 9, 2025 at 12:35 pm
Senate Republicans, aligning with incoming President Trump, plan to swiftly overturn key Biden administration regulations using the Congressional Review Act […]
- Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolitionby Ufuoma Ovienmhada on January 8, 2025 at 12:16 pm
May 29, 2020, should have been a pride-filled day as I, a Black daughter of immigrants, would confer a master's degree from MIT.Instead, I grieved as I […]
- Las prisiones tóxicas nos enseñan por qué la justicia ambiental debe ser abolicionistaby Ufuoma Ovienmhada on January 8, 2025 at 10:29 am
Mayo 29 de 2020 debió haber sido un día de orgullo para mí. Yo, la hija negra de inmigrantes, recibiría mi título de maestría del MIT. En cambio, estaba […]
- Biden prohíbe perforaciones de petróleo en costas de EE.UU.by EHN Curators on January 7, 2025 at 11:23 am
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Joe Biden, prohibió nuevas explotaciones de petróleo y gas en una inmensa área de aguas costeras.