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.
- Wastewater, runoff from stormwater, agriculture slow Chesapeake Bay cleanupby Pete Myers on August 14, 2020 at 8:29 pm
The big three sources - wastewater and stormwater runoff from neighborhoods and agriculture. Virginia is on track to reduce pollution from wastewater treatment […]
- Exposure to air pollution may increase risk of COVID-19 death, major study saysby Megan McLaughlin on August 14, 2020 at 11:10 am
Long-term exposure to air pollution may increase the risk of death from Covid-19, according to a large study by the Office for National Statistics.
- Harris VP choice signals tougher stance on pollution under Bidenby Megan McLaughlin on August 14, 2020 at 11:08 am
By bringing U.S. Senator Kamala Harris onto the ticket, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has signaled support for the enforcement of U.S. […]
- Trump reverses Obama methane rule despite opposition from Big Oilby EHN Staff on August 14, 2020 at 11:07 am
The rule ends Obama-era restrictions on emissions of methane, a potent climate-warming gas. The move could make it harder to argue that natural gas is a […]
- Chemours, North Carolina, River Watch make GenX pollution dealby EHN Staff on August 14, 2020 at 10:40 am
While the parties praise the proposed lawsuit settlement, the water utility in Wilmington says it and its customers were left out of the negotiations.
- 'The worst of human nature': UK staycationers' trail of destructionby Patrick Barkham on August 14, 2020 at 10:31 am
Countryside and coastal custodians lament ‘different demographic’ of visitors leaving litter and endangering wildlifeFires caused by portable […]
- Trump eliminates major methane rule, even as leaks are worseningby EHN Staff on August 14, 2020 at 10:27 am
The weakening of Obama-era efforts to fight climate change amounts to a gift to many oil companies. Researchers warn that the decision ignores science.
- Vast European ‘supertrawlers’ use in UK marine protected areas up by over 1,000% in three yearsby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 3:28 am
None of these ships – which can store thousands of tonnes of fish – are British owned.
- Stingrays desperate for oxygen part of critical tipping point at Biscayne Bayby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 3:19 am
Stingrays starved for oxygen are yet another part of a massive environmental problem in Biscayne Bay that has killed thousands of fish.
- Photos: California’s fast-moving Lake Fireby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 2:44 am
A dangerous wildfire driven by hot, windy conditions has prompted hundreds of evacuations.
- Cleaning up B.C.’s Tulsequah Chief mine will cost $48.7 millionby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 2:32 am
A final remediation plan released by the provincial government this week is seen as a positive step in ending six decades of pollution from the mine on the […]
- Signs of climate change in ocean depths off Vancouver Islandby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 2:09 am
It's been one discovery after another for Canadian scientists exploring the ocean depths a few hundred kilometres off the coast of Vancouver Island.
- Alberta’s Environment Minister cheered on coal mining in new areas before restrictions were droppedby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 2:02 am
Months before ending the Coal Policy, the Kenney government issued letters of support for open-pit projects.
- Warren knocks SEC on climate disclosuresby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 1:52 am
Warren’s letter comes as a growing group of investors warn climate change poses significant threats to the financial system.
- Canada defends role for oilsands projects in 'messy' energy transitionby Jim Germond on August 14, 2020 at 1:40 am
Canada's government has vigorously defended the country's oil industry and its controversial oilsands projects, even as it seeks to drastically cut emissions.
- Ban on Collecting Hawaii Reef Fish for Aquarium Trade Upheldon August 14, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Oilpatch wary of VP pick Kamala Harris, Green New Deal backerby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 11:31 pm
But analysts and economists say the industry was already expecting a shift in energy policy under a Biden presidency.
- Funding announced for reclamation work at acid leaking Northern B.C. mineby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 11:20 pm
The first steps towards long-term remediation of a historic mixed metal mine polluting the Tulsequah River is expected to commence this summer.
- Pacific walruses are again gathering much earlier than usual at Alaska Chukchi beach sitesby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Pacific walruses are massing onshore in Alaska on a Chukchi Sea beach, one of the earliest of the now-annual congregations at that site yet recorded.
- Aquarium fish, hold the cyanideby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 11:06 pm
How an Indonesian village stopped poisoning reefs for the tropical pet trade without losing livelihoods.
- All talk, no walk: ‘Green’ financiers still support Amazon beef industryby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 10:52 pm
Financial institutions and fund managers who have otherwise committed to going green are still funding the sector most responsible for deforestation.
- Rising water temperatures threaten fish populationsby Megan McLaughlin on August 13, 2020 at 10:26 pm
With rising temperatures and prolonged drought, Southwest Colorado's rivers and streams are increasingly running lower and warmer, creating an uncertain future […]
- Green shift urged to revive Brazil's economy and shield Amazon forestsby Megan McLaughlin on August 13, 2020 at 10:11 pm
President Jair Bolsonaro could revive Brazil's economic growth more quickly after Covid-19 by shifting to low-carbon policies that safeguard the Amazon […]
- Inside clean energy: Biden’s climate plan shows net zero is now mainstreamby Megan McLaughlin on August 13, 2020 at 10:02 pm
Renewable energy costs have gone down so much that opponents can no longer seize upon pocketbook arguments.
- More than 260 major, mostly illegal Amazon fires detected since late Mayby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 10:02 pm
As the 2020 Amazon fire season moves toward its August peak, hundreds of blazes — almost all in Brazil, mostly illegal, and some on conserved lands […]
- Daimler reaches $2 billion diesel settlement in USby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 9:56 pm
Daimler has reached settlements in the United States totaling $2.2 billion (€1.86 billion) over emissions cheating software in its diesel vehicles.
- How environmental courts can help Africaby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 9:52 pm
The oil spill off the coast of Mauritius is a grim reminder of the need for environmental courts in Africa.
- Big Pharma's COVID-19 profiteersby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 9:46 pm
How the race to develop treatments and a vaccine will create a historic windfall for the industry — and everyone else will pay the price.
- New Jersey’s new electric vehicle rebate draws 1,800 applications, despite COVID economy woesby Megan McLaughlin on August 13, 2020 at 9:43 pm
New Jersey has received 1,800 applications for its new electric vehicle rebate program even amid a slow rollout and car sales that crashed for months because […]
- Naomie Harris, Brian Eno team up for 'Extinction Emergency' shortby Jim Germond on August 13, 2020 at 9:30 pm
Naomie Harris and Brian Eno joined forces for Extinction Emergency, and Why We Must Act Now, an animated short about the climate and ecological crisis.
- State grant will help Sarasota county plan for sea level riseby Megan McLaughlin on August 13, 2020 at 9:29 pm
Because of climate change, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection expects sea levels around the state to rise by between 2 feet and 3 feet by 2060.
- Angola ratifies Paris Agreement promising more ambitious climate planby Megan McLaughlin on August 13, 2020 at 9:16 pm
Angola's newly appointed minister of foreign affairs Téte António said in a tweet that Angola's parliament had unanimously approved the country's […]
- Pollutionwatch: how lessons from 1920s were forgotten for 50 yearsby Gary Fuller on August 13, 2020 at 8:30 pm
A century ago John Switzer Owens discovered how far pollution could travel, but his research was ignoredIn August 1921, John Switzer Owens had a UK holiday. He […]
- Exposure to air pollution may increase risk of Covid death, major study saysby Damian Carrington Environment editor on August 13, 2020 at 12:02 pm
ONS finds single-unit increase in pollution exposure over long term may increase death rate by up to 6%Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our […]
- Satellite photographs of the Mauritius oil spillby Maxar Technologies/Rex/Shutterstock on August 13, 2020 at 7:23 am
Satellite images of the MV Wakashio shipwreck off the south-east coast of Mauritius reveal the damage as the Japanese bulk carrier leaked an estimated 1,000 […]
- Gov. Inslee Urged to Act After Washington Wolf Advisor’s Removalon August 13, 2020 at 12:00 am
- ExxonMobil Oil Trucking Plan Jeopardized by Refinery Shutdown, County Staff Opposition to Using Dangerous Route 166on August 13, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Trump Administration Rolls Back Methane Pollution Rules for Oil, Gas Industryon August 13, 2020 at 12:00 am
- The government is looking the other way while Britain's rivers die before our eyes | George Monbiotby George Monbiot on August 12, 2020 at 6:00 am
Across the UK, once thriving waterways are being wiped out by farming and water companiesYou can judge the state of a nation by the state of its rivers. […]
- Lawsuit Launched Against EPA to Combat Asthma-causing Sulfur Dioxide Air Pollution in Eight Stateson August 11, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Labor, Environmental Groups Urge Emergency Action to Protect Frontline Workers From COVID-19on August 11, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Alachua County Says No to Florida Plan for Huge Toll Roadson August 11, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Court Overturns Trump Administration Policy That Sharply Curtailed Protections for Migratory Birdson August 11, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Department of Energy Inaction Will Cost Consumers at Least $22 Billion, Spew at Least 80 Million Tons of Carbon Into Airon August 10, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Feds: High Extinction Risk for All Seven Leatherback Sea Turtle Populationson August 10, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Black Teatfish Sea Cucumbers Move Toward Endangered Species Protectionon August 7, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Nautical not nice: how fibreglass boats have become a global pollution problemby Corina Ciocan on August 6, 2020 at 10:32 am
Fibreglass fuelled a boating boom. But now dumped and ageing craft are breaking up, releasing toxins and microplastics across the worldWhere do old boats go to […]
- Lawsuit Filed to Reduce Dangerous Sulfur Dioxide Air Pollutionon August 6, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Legal Petition Urges U.S. to Certify That China’s Pangolin Trade Violates Wildlife Treatyon August 6, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Vessel Speed Limits Sought to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whaleson August 6, 2020 at 12:00 am