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.
- Worried about Earth's future? Well, the outlook is worse than even scientists can graspby Laura Pyle on January 19, 2021 at 6:16 pm
Humanity is destroying Earth’s ability to support complex life. But coming to grips with the magnitude of the problem is hard, even for experts.
- Editorial: Protecting the environment from plastic PPEby Laura Pyle on January 19, 2021 at 6:07 pm
The covid-19 pandemic has greatly exacerbated the global environmental threat of plastic pollution.
- The push for standing forest protections in US climate policyby Kate S. Petersen on January 19, 2021 at 12:24 pm
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, Mass.—Bob Leverett walked away from the trunk, looking up through the canopy, trying to get eyes on the crown.He crushed the thick […]
- EPA: Hawaii's military bases dumped 630,000 pounds of toxic nitrate into the oceanby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 12:23 pm
While federally permitted, the Environmental Protection Agency hopes the data's public release spurs facilities to reduce their chemical waste.
- Sharon Begley, path-breaking science journalist, dies at 64by Pete Myers on January 19, 2021 at 12:22 pm
Sharon Begley, whose science journalism career spanned 43 years at Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and STAT, died Saturday at 64.
- Poland′s growing problem with illegal European wasteby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Thousands of tons of waste are dumped in Poland every year, much of it from Germany. But Poland also has problems with its own waste disposal and its […]
- Could Baltimore’s climate change suit become a Supreme Court test case?by Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 12:06 pm
The high court agreed to hear a narrow issue related to jurisdiction. But then the oil and gas industry pushed it to go further.
- Biden to 'hit ground running' as he rejoins Paris climate accordsby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 12:01 pm
President-elect to block Keystone XL pipeline among other swift environmental moves – but challenges lie ahead.
- Pennsylvania: State senators file suit to overturn fracking ban in Delaware River Basinby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:55 am
Two state senators and a Wayne County municipality filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn a more than 10-year-old ban on natural gas exploration within […]
- Jim Spencer is guiding investors who want their own piece of the renewable pieby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:52 am
Pittsburgh wind developer is guiding new investors.
- Citizens Coal Council urges Pennsylvania to protect communities, streams from coal mining damageby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:49 am
The Citizens Coal Council issued a report that details what they say are the Department of Environmental Protection's failures to enforce longwall coal mining […]
- Offshore wind power is ready to boom. Here's what that means for wildlifeby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:36 am
Climate change threatens many marine species, but some climate solutions pose risks, too. Researchers say offshore wind needs continued study and better […]
- EPA rejects North Carolina groups’ PFAS petitionby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:14 am
Environmental groups asked the EPA to force Chemours to conduct health studies on 54 types of “forever chemicals” they say come from the chemical […]
- Reddit’s former CEO is now in the forest-planting businessby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:10 am
Yishan Wong is building a system that can transform desert land into fertile ground for the trees we need to help stop climate change.
- Are some animal welfare labels humanewashing?'by Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:06 am
While some advocates say animal welfare labels are helping change the industry, a new report points to a lack of rigor among widely adopted labels, prompting […]
- Dangerous heat, unequal consequencesby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 11:01 am
How two neighborhoods in Arizona and Florida became hotspots for sickening heat.
- In Florida, worsening heat puts more people at riskby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 10:58 am
Farmworkers have long faced dangers from laboring outside in sweltering heat. As climate change raises temperatures, heat illness could come for far more […]
- Climate change blamed for a third of U.S. flood losses in past 3 decadesby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 10:49 am
Flooding is the most common weather-related disaster threat in the United States.
- The Climate Question: Does Africa have a voice on climate?by Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 10:38 am
Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate is on a mission to make sure Africa is listened to.
- Can the world break up with fossil fuels? Watch the conversationby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 10:35 am
The Times is hosting a series of virtual events ahead of global climate talks in November. This month’s topic: the demand for energy and what can be […]
- Biden to cancel Keystone XL pipeline in inauguration day executive orderby Autumnspanne1 on January 19, 2021 at 10:33 am
The project had already been languishing, but the action by Mr. Biden would signal his determination to undo President Trump’s environmental legacy.
- Can the Bay region dredge its way out of Conowingo Dam problem? | Pollution & Solutions | bayjournal.comby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 4:28 am
More pollution has been sweeping past the Conowingo Dam since its reservoir filled with sediment a decade ago, allowing millions of pounds of nutrient […]
- Monitoring the snap, crackle and pop of the seaby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 3:23 am
A sea-bed buoy in a busy shipping lane helps marine biologist Antonio Codarin to record underwater noise and its impact on marine species.
- EV charging groups race to meet UK’s 2030 petrol and diesel car sales ban | Financial Timesby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 3:10 am
Sticking points to a wider rollout of electric vehicle chargers include reliability, availability and the grid
- Why are breathing disorders more common in some Dallas neighborhoods? The city hopes to find outby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 3:09 am
Nine air monitors have been installed in Dallas neighborhoods to compare parts of the city with high rates of childhood asthma to other areas with fewer […]
- Right-of-way dispute has big implications for a small Vermont dairy farmby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 3:03 am
The Wayward Goose Farm says it will move if a large, conventional dairy farm is granted access through their land, where they milk 15 cows using organic […]
- Los Angeles lifts air-quality limits for cremations as Covid doubles death rateby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 2:24 am
Environmental regulators alter rules as 2,700 bodies are stored at hospitals and coroner's office.
- Decision barring Vancouver man from asbestos removal industry upheldby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 2:15 am
In 2019, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Francesca Marzari found that Mike Singh breached the workplace safety laws more than 20 times at 11 different work sites.
- Why the environmental justice movement should think locallyby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 1:28 am
Saving the planet starts with saving the communities the fossil fuel industry tends to trample.
- Singers, ranchers and environmentalists are now battling Kenney’s coal planby Jim Germond on January 19, 2021 at 1:19 am
A growing wave of grassroots opposition is challenging the Alberta government's plans to pursue open-pit coal mining in the Canadian Rockies and encourage […]
- Lawsuit Launched to Secure Critical Habitat for Rare Southeast Minnowon January 19, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Gutting of Federal Protection for Migratory Birdson January 19, 2021 at 12:00 am
- That’s barking! Why all dog owners need a poo wormeryon January 18, 2021 at 3:26 pm
It’s no longer enough to bag it and bin it – the green approach is to let worms munch through your dog’s wasteName: Dog poo wormeries.Age: […]
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Failure to Protect Rare L.A. Fish Known for Elaborate Mating Ritualson January 18, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Air pollution will lead to mass migration, say experts after landmark rulingby Diane Taylor on January 15, 2021 at 11:28 am
Call for world leaders to act in wake of French extradition case that turned on environmental concernsAir pollution does not respect national boundaries and […]
- Pollutionwatch: major sources of air pollution often overlookedby Gary Fuller on January 15, 2021 at 6:00 am
The roles of agriculture and home heating in causing particle pollution are often neglectedWhen I talk to people about air pollution sources they normally […]
- Lawsuit Launched to Fight Trump EPA’s Delay in Reducing Air Pollution From Oil, Methane Gas Industries in California, Chicagoon January 15, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration’s Failure to Cut Airplane Climate Pollutionon January 15, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched to Finalize Endangered Species Act Protection for Sierra Nevada Red Fox, Hermes Copper Butterfly, Two Southwestern Plantson January 15, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Oregon Officials Petitioned to Add Farmed Mink to State Prohibited Species Liston January 15, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Legal Filing Responds to Tejon Ranchcorp’s Effort to Stifle Public Dissenton January 15, 2021 at 12:00 am
- New Congress Called on to Fix Public Records Delays, Political Manipulationon January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Aims to Protect Endangered Whales in California Shipping Laneson January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Over Gray Wolf Delistingon January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Letter to Forest Service: Stop Cutting Down Centuries-old Trees on Grand Canyon’s North Rimon January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Earthjustice Sues on Behalf of Conservation Groups to Stop EPA Rubber-stamping Florida Wetlands Destructionon January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuits Challenge Trump Administration’s Latest Assaults on Endangered Species Acton January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Center for Biological Diversity Joins IUCN as Memberon January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Trump Administration Flouts Law to Push Utah Highway Through Protected Conservation Landson January 14, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Failure to Develop Recovery Plans for Two Critically Imperiled Salamanderson January 13, 2021 at 12:00 am