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.
- An effluent tide awaits Cop26 guests. They should see the state of our rivers, too | Marina Hydeby Marina Hyde on October 26, 2021 at 1:13 pm
Our sewage-spewing PM fronts a party that has just voted for literal sewage-spewing. Environmental conference, you say?To the £2.9m Downing Street […]
- Downing Street to oppose raw sewage amendment in standoff with Lordsby Aubrey Allegretti on October 26, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Government to maintain resistance to tougher action against water companies despite backlashPlans to take tougher action against water companies for pumping […]
- Plastic's toxic reach in Louisianaby Erica Cirino on October 26, 2021 at 10:59 am
Communities throughout St. James, St. John the Baptist, and Louisiana's other "River Parishes"—those located along the Mississippi between New Orleans […]
- The resurgence of waffle gardens is helping Indigenous farmers grow food with less waterby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:47 am
In the face of climate change and persistent droughts, a growing number of people from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico and elsewhere are adopting the traditional […]
- What are the Chesapeake Bay's marshes worth? New study suggests billionsby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 10:30 am
Climate experts have long warned that rising seas could add more destructive power to hurricane-whipped storm surges. But a new study centered on the […]
- EU energy ministers to spar over gas strategyby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:28 am
The geopolitics of gas looms large ahead of Tuesday’s summit.
- What happens when you put 926 random Americans in a room and tell them to solve the climate crisis?by Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:24 am
The latest installment of America In One Room asked an eclectic mix of voters to come talk to each other until they came to consensus on the best climate […]
- Atmospheric river storms can drive costly flooding – and climate change is making them strongerby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:20 am
Climate change is making the soaking wet weather systems more damaging.
- 2021 election preview: New York considers right to clean waterby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:12 am
Voters will decide on a constitutional amendment for environmental rights. At least a dozen other states are considering similar amendments.
- Amplify Energy cashed out cleanup fund while racking up violationsby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:09 am
Before Amplify Energy made headlines for its ruptured pipeline that spewed oil into Southern California ocean waters, the company's owners fought to change its […]
- Atmospheric river unleashes record rainfall, flooding in Californiaby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 10:02 am
Both San Francisco and Sacramento had their wettest October days on record.
- U.N.’s Antonio Guterres makes a last push before the COP26 climate summit in Glasgowby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:59 am
The COP26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland, could ‘become a missed opportunity,' Secretary General António Guterres told The Washington Post.
- World remains on a dangerous climate trajectory ahead of COP26by Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:57 am
The findings raise the stakes for — and threaten to undermine — the success of a United Nations climate summit in Glasgow next week.
- Natural gas leaks in Boston are vastly underreported, new study saysby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:55 am
New research shows that methane emissions in the Boston area were up to six times higher than reported. That could make the greenhouse impact of natural gas […]
- In advance of climate summit, tension among Biden aides on China policyby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:53 am
John Kerry, the climate envoy, sees an improved U.S.-China relationship as key to progress on climate. National security adviser Jake Sullivan is skeptical.
- Manchin pushes for more climate cuts from the budget billby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:42 am
He has already effectively succeeded in stripping the bill of its most powerful climate change provision.
- Biden and Democrats push for budget deal this week as rifts remainby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:39 am
Negotiators were closing in on a deal that could spend around $1.75 trillion, but lawmakers were still haggling over critical disagreements on the sprawling […]
- Australia pledges 'net zero' emissions by 2050. Its plan makes that hard to believeby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:36 am
The country’s last-minute commitment before next week’s climate summit is built on hope for new technology, and little else.
- Yes, there has been progress on climate. No, it's not nearly enoughby Autumnspanne1 on October 26, 2021 at 9:33 am
Nations have started making progress on climate change. But we’re still on track for dangerous warming unless those efforts accelerate drastically.
- CEPP could boost the biggest climate policy in US history—if it survives the Senateby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 4:52 am
Big climate policies are finally in the works in the US, but opposition remains.
- Hatch green chiles are feeling the heatby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 4:40 am
Growers of New Mexico’s iconic crop wrestle with drought, water rights and labor shortages.
- Okefenokee mine project: What is titanium used for?by Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 4:26 am
Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals wants to mine heavy mineral sands from 8,000 acres near the Okefenokee for titanium, a metal that's both common and […]
- WV landowners want property back from the ACPby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 3:40 am
The Atlantic Coast Pipeline was canceled in 2020, but companies overseeing the 600-plus-mile project still own the rights to many properties in West Virginia.
- B.C. can now grant extensions for oil and gas companies cleaning up dormant wellsby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 3:26 am
The move means the BC Oil and Gas Commission will have the power to exempt “permit holders from requirements of the Dormancy and Shutdown Regulation in […]
- NWT can ‘bring stories of the North’ to COP26 climate summitby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 3:18 am
Great Slave MLA Katrina Nokleby will be part of the NWT delegation at COP26, the climate summit coming up in Glasgow. We asked what message she plans to convey.
- Is tidal energy the surge remote coastal communities need?by Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 3:05 am
Tapping into the West Coast’s tidal waters is a highly predictable source of renewable energy that when channelled into a micro-grid might help shift […]
- Bolsonaro evades genocide blame amid Indigenous deaths by invaders, COVID-19by Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 2:59 am
A Senate inquiry nevertheless accuses Bolsonaro of crimes against humanity, saying he took advantage of the pandemic to harm traditional communities.
- Study chronicles dying of a lake with advent of oil & gas activitiesby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 2:47 am
A new study finds warning signs of ecosystem collapse at Lake Kutubu in Papua New Guinea, a wetland of international significance.
- $200 million in gold extracted in Amazon mine through illegal licensesby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 2:38 am
Gana Gold generated R$ 1.1 billion (US$ 200 million) in revenue using illegally-obtained environmental licenses in Brazil, equivalent to 3 tons of gold […]
- Greenhouse gases reached record high in 2020 despite pandemic: U.N.by Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 2:09 am
The last time there was this much CO2 in the atmosphere, humans did not exist.
- Ahead of COP26, focus turns to climate financeby Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 1:57 am
Amid dire warnings that time is quickly running out, delegates in Glasgow are set to make further binding pledges to radically reduce emissions. But without […]
- Nuclear power: Are energy price hikes prompting a German rethink?by Jim Germond on October 26, 2021 at 1:41 am
Energy prices are soaring globally, and Germany's neighbors are building new nuclear reactors. Some want to revisit the commitment to go […]
- Biden Administration to Rescind Trump Rules Limiting Habitat Protections for Endangered Specieson October 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Legal Petition Challenges EPA Inaction on Factory Farm Air Pollutionon October 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Gov. Inslee Urged to Take Emergency Action After Key Puget Sound Orca Dieson October 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Climate wisdom out of the mouths of babes | Brief lettersby Guardian Staff on October 25, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Kids’ climate awareness | Philistines | Wordsearch stereotypes | Care costs | CrosswordNicholas Maxwell says universities have scarcely promoted […]
- Sewage vote outcry prompts Tory MPs to defend decision on social mediaby Helena Horton and Aubrey Allegretti on October 25, 2021 at 1:07 pm
Conservative politicians release almost identical statements following anger over rejection of environment bill amendmentThe government has launched a […]
- Could flying electric ‘air taxis’ help fix urban transportation?by Amy Crawford on October 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Makers of zero-emission eVTOLs envision a greener way to escape traffic. But planning experts aren’t so sureThe megacity of São Paulo is home to […]
- Appeal Challenges Weak Climate Plan for Harmful Napa Vineyard Projecton October 25, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Current approach to wildfires risks lives and wastes money, say expertsby Sarah Johnson on October 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Researchers call for new firefighting techniques that focus on managing landscapes, as global heating sees increase in blazes‘It still gives me […]
- Lethal ‘forever chemicals’ taint our food, water and even blood. The EPA is stalling | David Bondby David Bond on October 24, 2021 at 10:31 am
There is no longer any population or place on earth untouched by PFAS contamination. We are living through a toxic experiment with no control groupThis week […]
- ‘This stuff won’t go away’: PFAS chemicals contaminate Wisconsin’s waterways and soilby Tom Perkins on October 22, 2021 at 9:00 am
Water sources used by millions of humans as well as wildlife poisoned with ‘forever chemicals’ Last year, residents in Campbell, Wisconsin, a […]
- Biden’s Forest Service Poised to Facilitate Quadrupling of Crude Oil Production in Utah’s Uinta Basin Days Before Glasgow Climate Summiton October 22, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Humboldt Martens to Gain More Than 1 Million Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in Oregon, Californiaon October 22, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Gold Drilling in Sage Grouse Habitat in California’s Eastern Sierra Nevadaon October 21, 2021 at 12:00 am
- MPs set to reject move to make water firms cut sewage dischargesby Sandra Laville on October 20, 2021 at 10:59 am
Government opposes proposed amendment to environment bill designed to protect riversThe government is to reject calls to place a legal duty on water companies […]
- Oregon Kills Nearly All Remaining Members of Lookout Mountain Wolf Packon October 20, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Five Executive Actions Biden Must Take As Climate Program Falters in Congresson October 20, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Biden Administration Won’t Appeal Decision Shutting Down Western Arctic Oil Drilling Projecton October 20, 2021 at 12:00 am
- After Spill, Legal Petition Urges Biden Administration to End Oil Drilling Off Californiaon October 20, 2021 at 12:00 am