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.
- This rural N.J. paradise was almost destroyed by toxic chemicalsby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 5:05 am
In picturesque Plumsted Township, home of the New Egypt Speedway, a state suit charging illegal dumping is a reminder of the township's history. […]
- Climate change one factor in rising Indian River Lagoon levelby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 4:59 am
The lagoon water level being at its seasonal highest this time of year, as the Gulf Stream slows, pushing more ocean into inlets, and as the world warms. […]
- Pacific seals at risk as Arctic ice melt lets deadly disease spread from Atlanticby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 4:46 am
Study finds seal and sea otter populations in Alaska hit by killer infection that migrated from North Atlantic. […]
- Coal ash comebackby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 4:36 am
It's headed back to drinking water and playgrounds—thanks to Trump's EPA. […]
- Are the Tories' green commitments all talk and little action?by Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 4:31 am
Conservative environmental policies since 2010 have been characterised by confusion and mixed messages. […]
- ‘We’re on the front line’: the teens pushing for flavored e-cigarettes banby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 4:25 am
The Massachusetts state house passed a bill banning the products with an unlikely pressure group: suburban Boston teens outraged at the health damage. […]
- Which houseplants should you buy to purify air? None of them.by Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 4:18 am
Bringing plants indoors can provide a number of benefits, but cleaner air isn't one of them, say experts. […]
- Yemenis go solar amid war energy shortage - Reutersby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:15 am
When electricity was cut to Yemen's capital four years ago after war broke ... […]
- The Hottest August: A sci-fi approach to an unconventional climate change docby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:15 am
The Hottest August director Brett Story wanted to "look at climate change by looking away from it." […]
- The 'Go see Ryan' approach to lobbying EPAby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:14 am
EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson's inbox was flooded with chummy notes from lobbyists, many of whom he'd worked with on Capitol Hill, according to a review of […]
- How do the parties propose to tackle the climate crisis?by Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:13 am
Election contenders have been setting out plans to win over voters concerned about the environment. […]
- U.S. suspends more oil and gas leases over what could be a widespread problemby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:11 am
Fossil Fuel leases totaling hundreds of thousands of acres have been suspended as courts rule against the BLM for ignoring climate impact. […]
- Democrats' 'daunting task': Multiple climate billsby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:10 am
A flurry of advocacy and policy initiatives around Capitol Hill this week almost made it look as if Congress were moving on climate policy. […]
- The dread and worry keeping young Australians up at nightby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:10 am
My eight-year-old son has come up with a solution to global warming. “Mum, we need to build a giant space fan to cool down the Earth,” he said. […]
- Melting permafrost in the Arctic is unlocking diseases and warping the landscapeby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:05 am
Some of the consequences of thawed permafrost seem almost apocalyptic. […]
- U.S. readies first wind-powered steel plantby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 4:02 am
For decades, access to cheap coal-fired electricity fueled industrial expansion across the Midwest. Now, Missouri is planning the first wind-powered steel […]
- Shell says oil spill contained at Puget Sound, Washington refinery dockby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 3:58 am
An oil spill was contained at the Shell Puget Sound, Washington refinery's dock on Fidalgo Bay late on Friday, the company said in a statement on Saturday. […]
- Venice closes St Mark’s Square as floods hit for third time in weekby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 3:57 am
Venice has closed St Mark's Square as the city suffered a third major flooding in less than a week, while rain lashed the rest of Italy and warnings were […]
- Australia's broken recycling systemby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 3:53 am
Rather than processing its own recycling, Australia has sent millions of tonnes to Asia each year. Now, many countries have said ‘no more’. Scott […]
- Scientist’s lone stand against palm oil wins awardby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 3:49 am
An Indonesian scientist whose work proves that companies are illegally burning forest to grow the palm oil used in foods and cosmetics has received a British […]
- General election: Voters care more about the environment than the economy, poll findsby Megan McLaughlin on November 18, 2019 at 3:48 am
Climate change and pollution only behind Brexit, health and crime on the public's list of priorities. […]
- Portland councilors to consider student-led ‘climate emergency’ resolutionby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 3:24 am
The resolution would commit the city to pursue ambitious goals on addressing climate change. […]
- Arizonans call for greater attention to climate change issuesby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 3:16 am
In a state where heat and drought have magnified climate change, leaders say there's no time to waste in addressing the issue. […]
- Helping coal miners to save the planetby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 3:06 am
Sharan Burrow wants to find alternative livelihoods for coal miners and therefore help protect our climate. […]
- Plastic waste: Runners face littering disqualificationby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 2:59 am
In a bid to make Conwy Half Marathon more eco-friendly, organisers discouraged plastic waste. […]
- Huge Flow Country wildfire 'doubled Scotland's emissions'by Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 2:54 am
The massive fire in the Flow Country in May doubled Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions while it burnt. […]
- Yemenis go solar amid war energy shortageby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 2:43 am
Booming solar sector is transforming lives and energy sustainability in Yemen, poor country with scant rural power access even before conflict knocked out most […]
- Sentinel for sea-level rise enters testingby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 2:29 am
The satellite that will maintain the "gold standard" measurement of ocean height is nearly complete. […]
- Shipping on Northern Sea Route up 63 percentby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 1:30 am
Goods volumes on the Russian Arctic route reaches 26 million tons. […]
- Experts optimistic amid predictions in new report that Canada will miss emission targetsby Jim Germond on November 18, 2019 at 1:00 am
Some experts are optimistic despite a new international report that found Canada won't meet its 2030 and 2050 targets. […]
- Weatherwatch: sulphur clouds make shipping a not so secret polluterby Paul Brown on November 15, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Tracking technology has been developed to reduce emissions in climate change fightThe type of fuel used by ships has a substantial effect on cloud formation. […]
- Big plastic polluters accused of cynically backing US recycling dayby Emily Holden in Washington and Oliver Milman in New York on November 15, 2019 at 1:51 pm
America Recycles Day promoted by EPA is brainchild of not-for-profit backed by companies that produce plastic productsAmerica’s government-backed […]
- Trump’s EPA to Weaken Safeguards for Pesticide Linked to Birth Defects, Canceron November 15, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Mercedes-Benz to axe more than 1,000 jobs in cost-cutting driveby Jasper Jolly on November 14, 2019 at 9:31 am
Move blamed on heavy cost of investing in electric vehicles just as traditional car sales slowMercedes-Benz plans to save €1.65bn (£1.4bn) by […]
- Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl May Get Protected Againon November 14, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Dutch government cuts speed limit to 100km/h to reduce air pollutionby Daniel Boffey in Brussels on November 13, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Netherlands takes ‘rotten measure’ of reducing 130km/h limit to protect nature reservesThe Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, has taken what he has […]
- India says it plans to use hydrogen-based fuel to tackle air crisisby Hannah Ellis-Petersen South Asia correspondent on November 13, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Government responds to judges criticising it over emergency smog levels in DelhiThe Indian government has said it intends to use hydrogen-based fuel technology […]
- Legal Action Initiated to Force Trump Administration to Halt U.S. Pangolin Tradeon November 13, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Poll: Most Santa Barbara County Voters Oppose Plans to Restart Offshore Drillingon November 13, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Lawsuit Spurs Trump Administration to Suspend 130 Oil, Gas Leases in Utahon November 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Kalama Methanol Refinery in Washington Faces New Federal Court Challengeon November 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Trump EPA Proposes Weaker Protections From Toxic Pyrethroid Pesticideson November 12, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Federal Hearing on Tuesday to Focus on Protecting Washington’s Endangered Orcas From Boatson November 11, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Delhi’s toxic politicians must be held to account for this deadly pollution | Aruna Chandrasekharby Aruna Chandrasekhar on November 8, 2019 at 9:20 am
India’s climate movements are growing, but a unique political deadlock in the capital is creating a destructive inertiaFly out of Delhi and you can see […]
- Delhi’s smog blamed on crop fires – but farmers say they have little choiceby Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Haryana on November 8, 2019 at 5:00 am
Poor north Indian farmers think they are scapegoats for a wider problemThe pounding beats of bhangra music blare out of Satish’s tractor as it roars […]
- Ruling Stops Colorado Coal Mine Expansion Threatening Climate, National Foreston November 8, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Nevada to Launch Review of Rare Wildflower for Possible Enhanced Protectionson November 8, 2019 at 12:00 am
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- Pollutionwatch: Africa increases its reliance on fossil fuelsby Gary Fuller on November 7, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Continent is embarking on a huge expansion of power stations, most of which will burn coalLast week the UN secretary general, António Guterres, called […]
- English councils deal with more than 1m fly-tipping casesby PA Media on November 7, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Defra figures show 8% rise over last year, with most cases involving household rubbishCouncils had to clear up more than a million incidents of fly-tipping […]
- Never knowingly undersoiled – John Lewis trucks to run on cow manureby Jillian Ambrose on November 7, 2019 at 8:32 am
Retailer’s fleets will use carbon neutral renewable biomethaneHundreds of John Lewis delivery trucks will begin running on cow power from 2021 as the […]