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.
- Brazil sinks aircraft carrier in Atlantic despite presence of asbestos and toxic materialsby Agence France-Presse on February 4, 2023 at 7:11 am
Environmental activists had sought to halt the planned scuttling of the warship, warning that it could pollute the marine food chainBrazil has sunk a […]
- Moral questions on a standard San Luis Valley farmby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Drought creeps into the San Luis Valley, ruining best-laid farm practices. No clover grows in the meadow cultivated for cattle. In early summer, there wasn’t […]
- Cancer-causing emissions in Pittsburgh-area borough prompt meeting with EPAby Kristina Marusic on February 3, 2023 at 5:15 pm
PITTSBURGH — Last night, representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a virtual meeting with residents of Zelienople, a small […]
- Millions in donations were sent for tornado relief. Survivors wonder where the money is.by Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Most of the $12 million that Kentucky set aside to pay for survivors' unmet needs remains untapped. Gov. Beshear defends rules criticized by local leaders.
- Rural Georgia lawmaker wants Legislature to settle stink raised by casting sludge upon the soilby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Tankers hauling mystery sludge have been a common – and unwelcome – sight in rural Wilkes County for more than a decade, regularly filling the country air […]
- As Southeast states warm, TVA criticized on preparations for dealing with climate hazardsby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 3:22 pm
Extreme weather patterns will require several improvements to the climate resiliency of Tennessee Valley Authority electrical infrastructure
- In polluted cities, reducing air pollution could lower cancer rates as much as eliminating smoking wouldby Kristina Marusic on February 3, 2023 at 2:57 pm
Exposure to air pollution has a significant impact on rates of cancers typically associated with smoking, according to a recent study.The study, published […]
- Pennsylvania advocates issue intent to sue Shell’s new petrochemical plant outside Pittsburgh for emissions violationsby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 2:19 pm
The complex in Beaver County “blew through” permit limits in its first few months of operation, the advocates say.
- An El Niño is forecast for 2023. How much coral will bleach this time?by Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 2:04 pm
An El Niño would generate many impacts on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including the potential for droughts, fires, increased precipitation, coral […]
- Rio de Janeiro and the new model for biodiverse citiesby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 12:38 pm
From Rio de Janeiro to Kanazawa, cities all over the globe are being recognized as biodiversity hot spots—and reimagining conservation in the twenty-first […]
- Rich people are boiling the planetby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 12:21 pm
What’s one thing wealthy people of all nationalities have in common? Far higher emissions than the poorer people in their country.
- DFO sea lice report contains ‘serious scientific failings’: expertsby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 12:00 pm
A Fisheries and Oceans Canada study found no significant link between sea lice at B.C. salmon farms and on wild salmon, prompting scientists to express […]
- Atlanta shooting part of alarming US crackdown on environmental defendersby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 11:47 am
Twenty states have enacted laws restricting rights to peaceful protest, as environmentalists are increasingly criminalized.
- How Putin’s plans to blackmail Europe over gas supply failedby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 11:33 am
Within eight months of Russia invading Ukraine, the EU’s 27 states had replaced about 80% of the natural gas they used to get from Moscow.
- Wait, are those scented candles we’re obsessed with actually toxic?by Megan McLaughlin on February 3, 2023 at 11:32 am
Experts have flagged that those expensive, pretty-smelling candles might not be as lit as they’re made out to be.
- The man in charge of how the US spends $400bn to shift away from fossil fuelsby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 11:25 am
The Department of Energy’s loan programs office was ‘essentially dormant’, says Jigar Shah, its head – but now it’s ready to bankroll clean energy […]
- How undersea cables may affect marine lifeby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 11:08 am
Submarine cables carry electricity and information across vast oceans and seas, but we're only beginning to understand their possible impact on delicate marine […]
- PG&E to stand trial over deadly California wildfireby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 10:58 am
Pacific Gas & Electric will face trial for manslaughter over its role in a deadly Californian wildfire.
- Hawaii whale dies with fishing nets, plastic bags in stomachby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 10:46 am
A whale that washed ashore in Hawaii over the weekend likely died in part because it ate large volumes of fishing traps, fishing nets, plastic bags and other […]
- Few signs that rich countries will help poor ones with climate fundby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 10:35 am
Three months after COP27, there are few signs the U.S. and others will step up to bankroll a much-hyped fund to help poor countries cope with climate change.
- As energy costs bite, museums rethink a conservation credoby Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 10:21 am
Tight climate controls have become the norm to protect artworks and artifacts. But as heating and electricity prices soar, Europe’s museums administrators […]
- A proud ship turned into a giant recycling problem. So Brazil plans to sink it.by Jim Germond on February 3, 2023 at 10:13 am
The old aircraft carrier, once the navy’s flagship, is packed with asbestos. No country, including Brazil, will let it dock to be dismantled.
- Tesco chicken supplier should pay to clean up River Wye, says charityby Nicola Cutcher and Tom Levitt on February 3, 2023 at 7:45 am
Campaigners urge leading poultry producer Avara Foods to fund reparations for pollution from its chicken farm suppliersAvara Foods, a leading supplier of […]
- Councils say they lack funds to enforce stricter limits on wood burnersby Fiona Harvey and Helena Horton on February 3, 2023 at 6:00 am
Local authorities say policing government’s new standards on smoke pollution is beyond their meansLocal authorities lack the resources for the crackdown on […]
- State Efforts to Remove Federal Grizzly Protections Move Forwardon February 3, 2023 at 12:00 am
- What Lego—yes, Lego—can teach us about avoiding energy project boondogglesby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 7:43 pm
A new book looks at why big projects fail and finds that solar, wind and transmission lines are some of the best kinds of big projects, while nuclear power is […]
- Minnesota's carbon-free electricity bill: 8 questions, answeredby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 7:41 pm
A bill speeding through the Legislature would require utilities to quicken their transition to cleaner energy. But it includes exemptions and ways they could […]
- Auckland: New Zealand’s largest city sees wettest month in its history after ‘unparalleled deluge’by Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Auckland has recorded the wettest month in its history, New Zealand’s climate science body said after the city was pounded by record-breaking rainfall.
- Wet winter won’t fix Colorado River woesby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Although the moisture is welcome, some experts worry it could further delay the hard work that managers of the watershed must do to keep it healthy and make […]
- Climate change is overpowering America’s electric gridby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 7:11 pm
The current electric grid was built to withstand a climate that no longer exists.
- The threat of ocean acidificationby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 6:56 pm
This film explores the alarming effects of ocean acidification, drawing on the expertise of scientists and the first-hand experiences of a Native Alaskan […]
- Too poor to migrate? Climate change weakens economic growth, migration in Global Southby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Can climate change increase and hamper international migration at the same time? Yes, according to a new study from Germany.
- Highly toxic PFAS detected in Tokyo residents' bloodstreamby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 6:14 pm
A Tokyo civic group said it had detected high concentrations of potentially harmful substances known as PFAS in the blood samples of some inhabitants of the […]
- Lower your risk for dementia by spending time in natureby Megan McLaughlin on February 2, 2023 at 5:55 pm
Older adults who lived in an area with more green space had a lower rate of hospitalization for some diseases and dementias, a large study showed.
- ‘A serious threat’: calls grow for urgent review of England’s wood-burning stovesby Helena Horton and Fiona Harvey on February 2, 2023 at 6:00 am
Government plan to educate owners and encourage fines not enough to effectively tackle air pollution• Study links air pollution to mental […]
- Senate to Consider Legislation to Protect America’s Children From Toxic Pesticideson February 2, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Sprawl Development in Northern California Wildfire Zoneon February 2, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Celebrating 50 Years of Endangered Species Act Successon February 2, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Water firms to lose public funds unless they pledge to stop UK sewage spillsby Helena Horton Environment reporter on February 1, 2023 at 6:50 pm
Government accepts Liberal Democrat amendment to UK infrastructure bank billTaxpayer money may no longer be invested in water companies that fail to produce […]
- Legal Petition Seeks Environmental Review Improvements Promised by Bidenon February 1, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Two Ohio Waterways Nominated for Strongest Clean Water Act Protectionson February 1, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Thérèse Coffey admits UK can’t achieve air pollution target advised by expertsby Fiona Harvey and Helena Horton on January 31, 2023 at 6:24 pm
Environment secretary sets lower 10-year objective for cleaner air but researchers say their goal is reachable with stronger actionThe government cannot […]
- Water firms in England urged to upgrade sewage works for new homesby Sandra Laville on January 31, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Campaigners in Oxfordshire, Cotwolds and Cumbria say houses should not be occupied until systems can copeCampaigners are intervening to prevent new houses […]
- These homes replaced their gas stoves – and saw a huge drop in indoor pollutionby Aliya Uteuova on January 31, 2023 at 5:41 pm
Pilot program in the Bronx, New York, found striking differences in the levels of harmful indoor chemicals after the switchWhat happens when you replace a gas […]
- Mosaic Mining Workshops Fail to Stem Pollution Concernson January 31, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Federal Officials Miss Deadline to Protect Ghost Orchid As Endangeredon January 31, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Few Remaining Streaked Horned Larks As Endangeredon January 31, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Dragado a La Bahía De San Juan Provocará Un Gran Daño Social Y Ambientalon January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Corps Schedules Massive Dredging Project Despite Public Health, Environmental Objectionson January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Seeks Lifesaving Protections for Montana’s Arctic Graylingon January 30, 2023 at 12:00 am