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.
- Why the squad voted against Pelosi’s energy billby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 11:17 pm
The party leadership’s attempt at a bipartisan boost for renewables won only seven Republican votes and alienated progressives, including Alexandria […]
- World leaders pledge to halt Earth’s destruction ahead of UN summitby Patrick Greenfield on September 27, 2020 at 11:01 pm
France, Germany and UK among more than 60 countries promising to put wildlife and climate at heart of post-Covid recovery plansWorld leaders have pledged to […]
- Activists at Amazon say its climate efforts still fall shortby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 10:54 pm
One year after organizing a walkout, employees are calling for a more ambitious environmental agenda.
- Inside the fight to shut down Baltimore's pollution-spewing trash incineratorby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 10:44 pm
"If you drive here at certain times of night, it smells like death."
- Swimming and fishing safely in the Baltimore Harbor? Not so fast.by Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Ten years ago, fed up with floating litter everywhere and frequent whiffs of sewage, Baltimore launched a “Healthy Harbor" campaign.
- Climate change is making the Arctic more hospitable, says Russian nuclear icebreaker captain | The Independent Barents Observerby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 10:09 pm
Experienced Arctic shipmaster Aleksandr Skryabin tells President Putin that it is time to take advantage of warmer weather and shrinking sea-ice.
- Saving Western Canada’s only endangered treeby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Whitebark pine is facing down the triple threat of climate change, habitat loss and disease.
- Government mulls 'insane' pilot scheme to allow fishermen shoot seals with high-powered riflesby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 8:59 pm
Government mulls 'insane' pilot scheme to allow fishermen shoot seals with high-powered rifles
- Judge hears lawsuit over fish farmsby Jim Germond on September 27, 2020 at 8:54 pm
Whether Cooke Aquaculture's plan to raise native steelhead at fish farms in Puget Sound is a simple business transition or a complex threat to the marine […]
- 'Taiwan is Taiwan': China name dispute moves from birds to climate changeby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 8:22 pm
The dispute over international organisations referring to Taiwan as Chinese has moved from wild bird conservation to climate change, after a global alliance of […]
- China’s climate change commitment to become carbon neutral by 2060, explainedby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 8:12 pm
China just stepped up its climate goals. Is it enough to avert climate chaos?
- Could Barrett 'shut the courthouse doors' on enviros?by Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 8:03 pm
If confirmed, Amy Coney Barrett, 48, will become the Supreme Court's sixth Republican-appointed justice, replacing one of the court's most liberal members and […]
- A sprawling Superfund site has contaminated Lavaca Bay. Now, it’s threatened by climate changeby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:58 pm
The closed Alcoa aluminum plant on the Texas Gulf Coast is among 945 Superfund locations imperiled by intensifying hurricanes, floods, storms surges and […]
- These races will shape what the us elections mean for climate progressby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:29 pm
Whether the White House changes hands is the most important climate question of the 2020 elections.
- Covid-19: Single-use plastic impact 'will last forever'by Laura Pyle on September 27, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Plastic pollution experts say the pandemic is making it hard for people to cut down on single use plastics.
- Climate change investing may not be your thing, but a 78% YTD return isby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:19 pm
A wall of money is flowing into environmental stocks and it’s going to keep pushing prices up higher.
- Eco-anxiety: Taking its toll on global youthby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Day after day, week after week, the steady drum-beat of climate change issues - from melting ice caps to Australian infernos - is exacting a global mental […]
- Hurricanes near U.S. coast forecast to worsen due to climate changeby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:08 pm
The 2020 hurricane season may be best remembered as the one that spawned so many storms that forecasters ran out of names and had to resort to Greek letters.
- Antarctica NZ planning for sea level rise - and fall - at Scott Baseby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:02 pm
Antarctica New Zealand should expect the sea level at Scott Base will rise as much as 1.64 metres over the next 100 years, according to a newly released report.
- The video origin of the myth that global warming is good for agricultureby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 7:00 pm
Two '90s-era coal-funded videos on CO2 featured government scientists who say their comments were misleadingly edited. How it all happened.
- India plans $4.6 billion in incentives to lure EV battery makersby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:54 pm
India plans to offer $4.6 billion (3.6 billion pounds) in incentives to companies setting up advanced battery manufacturing facilities as it seeks to promote […]
- Brain-eating amoeba in water supply spurs Texas city to declare disaster after boy, 6, diesby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:48 pm
A city in Texas issued a disaster declaration Saturday after a brain-eating amoeba was found in water supplies, weeks after a 6-year-old boy died after […]
- Sri Lanka returns illegal waste to Britainby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:36 pm
Sri Lanka has shipped back to Britain container-loads of waste that the Colombo government said were brought into the island in violation of international laws […]
- Exxon touts carbon capture as a climate fix, but uses it to maximize profit and keep oil flowingby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Sprawled across the arid expanse of southwestern Wyoming is one of the world's largest carbon capture plants, a hulking jumble of pipes, compressors and […]
- E.P.A. to Promote Lead Testing Rule as Trump Tries to Burnish His Record - The New York Timesby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:23 pm
The E.P.A. will tout a new rule on testing lead in drinking water as President Trump's latest environmental achievement, but water experts see only modest […]
- California wildfire threat increases amid heat wave, dry windsby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:18 pm
More rounds of "critical" fire weather conditions are on tap for California from Sunday through this week.
- Rising temperatures put heat on Nebraska's $7 billion corn industryby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 6:13 pm
Climate change could take a big bite out of Nebraska's corn business, threatening an economic engine for the state and an important food source for an […]
- Coca-Cola Amatil fears mine will pollute secret bottled water source with toxic chemicalsby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Coca-Cola Amatil fears its secret bottled water source in the NSW Southern Highlands is under threat from a major sand mine proposed for neighbouring land.
- Penguin died on Brazilian beach after swallowing N95 face mask: Biologistsby Megan McLaughlin on September 27, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Brazilian biologists are trying to raise awareness about the consequences of the pollution caused by coronavirus-related medical waste after a penguin died […]
- Our plastic planetby Peter Dykstra on September 27, 2020 at 12:00 pm
It's always a challenge to find good news on the climate and environment beat. And we all desperately need a little more of the upbeat stuff right now. So I […]
- 'Rat-running' increases on residential UK streets as experts blame satnav appsby Carlton Reid on September 25, 2020 at 12:32 pm
Motoring on minor roads doubled between 2009 and 2019, regional figures reveal“Rat-running” on residential streets has increased dramatically in […]
- How clean are England's rivers? The latest report makes for uncomfortable reading | Rachel Salvidgeby Rachel Salvidge on September 25, 2020 at 8:00 am
If you’ve been wild swimming this summer it’s worrying to discover that all water bodies are polluted beyond legal limitsEngland, 2020. Every […]
- Thousands Oppose First Federal Oil Lease Sale in California in Eight Yearson September 25, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker Is Latest Endangered Species Act Successon September 25, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Pollutionwatch: red sky spells warning when the cause is fire and wood burningby Gary Fuller on September 24, 2020 at 8:30 pm
Smoke absorbs purple and blue light, raising alert for air pollution and climate emergencyRed sky at dawn and dusk is part of weather lore and apparently a […]
- Legal Petition Seeks to Close California Forest Carbon Loopholeon September 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Documents: Powerful Pro-pesticide Groups Shaped U.S. Push to Weaken International Oversight of Medically Important Antibioticson September 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- U.S. Forest Service Plan Guts Protections, Allows Clearcut Logging of Old-growth Trees in Alaska’s Tongass National Foreston September 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Petition Aims to Protect Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake Under Endangered Species Acton September 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Electric cars won't solve our pollution problems – Britain needs a total transport rethink | George Monbiotby George Monbiot on September 23, 2020 at 6:00 am
All vehicles create carbon emissions and cause congestion. The coronavirus crisis should help us break our dependence on themCould it be true? That this […]
- Lawsuit Challenges Federal Failure to Protect Caribbean Lizards as Endangeredon September 23, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched to Protect Colorado’s Critically Imperiled Gunnison Sage Grouseon September 23, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Endocrine-disrupting Pesticide Atrazine to Be Banned in Hawaii, Five U.S. Territories, Prohibited on Conifers, Roadsideson September 23, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Advocates Demand Regulation of Toxic Neonic-treated Seedson September 23, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Gov. Newsom’s Climate Initiative Omits Key Actions on Oil Drilling, Frackingon September 23, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Agreement Reached to Protect Endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee at Minnetonka’s Lone Lake Parkon September 22, 2020 at 12:00 am
- California Commission OKs Petition Protecting Joshua Trees Under State’s Endangered Species Acton September 22, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Fate of Puget Sound Commercial Fish Farms to Be Decided at Thursday’s Virtual Hearingon September 22, 2020 at 12:00 am
- How coral transplants could rescue Turkey's threatened reefsby Asya Robins on September 21, 2020 at 6:15 am
Scientists are carefully moving the sea animals to new locations to save them from construction schemesTransplanting coral is difficult work. “You only […]
- Lawsuit Challenges Federal Approval of Alaska LNG Projecton September 21, 2020 at 12:00 am