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.
- Colorado used “retired” memo when writing Suncor refinery pollution permitby Jim Germond on May 10, 2021 at 11:54 pm
Air Pollution Control Division officials say they stopped using the memo, but whistleblowers say Suncor's permit uses the same unlawful rules.
- French court dismisses case over Agent Orange use in Vietnamby Pete Myers on May 10, 2021 at 11:45 pm
A French court has dismissed the case of a French-Vietnamese woman who sued 14 companies that produced and sold the powerful defoliant dioxin Agent Orange, […]
- In rural towns like Kit Carson, a housing and development conundrum born of rising costs, disrepair — and lots of asbestosby Jim Germond on May 10, 2021 at 11:43 pm
As existing home stock deteriorates, locals struggle to reconcile needed business development with sparse affordable housing. A small town's future can hang in […]
- Meet the man tasked with carrying out Biden's air agendaby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 11:09 pm
Joe Goffman, a veteran Clean Air Act attorney, is the leading force behind a broad swath of the Biden EPA's efforts -- including slashing carbon emissions, […]
- In California’s farm country, climate change is likely to trigger more pesticide use, fouling waterwaysby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 10:56 pm
Warmer temperatures would boost pest populations, causing farmers to use more insecticides that, with more frequent and severe storms, turn into toxic runoff.
- The birds and the buoys: Using googly eyes to avert extinctionby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 10:37 pm
A pair of looming eyes could scare away seabirds from fishing nets in which they are often entangled.
- Climate change threatens species, especially some with small homesby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 10:26 pm
If the pandemic has made you think your home is too small, pity the Canadian species with tiny homes which could be wiped out by climate change.
- At least 1m people facing starvation as Madagascar’s drought worsensby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 10:20 pm
Madagascar will produce less than half its usual harvest in the coming months because of low rains, prolonging a hunger crisis already affecting half the Grand […]
- Futuristic computer game hopes to beat climate change anxietyby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 10:11 pm
It is the year 2050, the planet is warming up, meals come from nutritional food packs and dozens of new zoonotic viruses are spreading. As the editor of an […]
- Climate change increases renters' risksby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 10:04 pm
In 2000, almost 8,000 affordable housing units in the United States were at risk from annual coastal flooding. By 2050, this number could rise to 24,518, […]
- Electric cars ‘will be cheaper to produce than fossil fuel vehicles by 2027’by Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Ask professional acquaintances about acting EPA air chief Joe Goffman, and adjectives like "smart" are accompanied by qualifiers like "careful," "cautious" and […]
- Tea-growing areas to be badly hit if global heating intensifiesby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 9:31 pm
Your morning cup of tea may never taste the same again if global heating increases and the climate crisis intensifies, according to research.
- Newark poop plant pollution: I love my neighborhood. It might also be killing meby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 9:06 pm
I always thought it was a little cruel to call New Jersey the Garden State. We're famous for our pollution.
- Silent calamity: The health impacts of wildfire smokeby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 8:46 pm
Less dramatic than an inferno's flames, far-reaching smoke may be much more deadly and also more costly.
- Hampton approves resolution to discourage use of coal tarby EHN Staff on May 10, 2021 at 8:40 pm
Hampton council became the fourth municipality in the state to take a stand against coal tar use in the township, though the board stopped short of banning the […]
- Washington passed its cap-and-trade climate legislation. Now what?by Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 8:39 pm
The system, the centerpiece of climate efforts led by Gov. Jay Inslee, will see the largest polluters buy credits from the state for each ton of greenhouse gas […]
- Coalition calling for pipeline scrutinyby EHN Staff on May 10, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Residents and members of some environmental groups near the path of the Falcon Pipeline are asking federal regulators for more answers and for more scrutiny of […]
- Pipeline hack roils U.S. energyby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 8:32 pm
A cyberattack on the massive Colonial pipeline caused the company to shut down its entire 5,500-mile fuel system over the weekend, in what appears to be the […]
- Wildfires are contaminating drinking water systems more than people realizeby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 8:08 pm
There were over 58,000 wildfires in the U.S. last year, and the 2021 wildfire season is already underway in many western states. What many people don't realize […]
- Air pollution from farms leads to 17,900 U.S. deaths per year, study findsby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 8:05 pm
A first-of-its-kind study shows that lung-irritating particles from fertilizer, feed lots and manure cause thousands of premature deaths -- even more than coal […]
- Biden's climate bet rests on a clean electricity standardby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:55 pm
The true measure of President Biden's climate ambition is a clean electricity standard. But its passage is not within his control.
- EPA chief steps into contentious Chicago projectby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:47 pm
EPA Administrator Michael Regan late last week intervened in what is being described as a civil rights case in the southeast side of Chicago, in an […]
- New White House panel aims to separate science, politicsby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:38 pm
Eager to the turn the page on the Trump years, the Biden White House is launching an effort to unearth past problems with the politicization of science within […]
- David Attenborough warns climate change poses bigger threat than Covidby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:32 pm
Sir David Attenborough has warned world leaders of the 'crippling problems' which could be caused by climate change, ahead of a crucial summit being hosted by […]
- “I’m scared of getting sick from the water”by Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:25 pm
When Ramona Hernandez turns on her kitchen faucet in El Adobe, an unincorporated town just a few miles southeast of Bakersfield, the water that splashes out […]
- After scrap metal fire, renewed calls to protect north Mpls. residents from toxic airby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:23 pm
A recent fire at Northern Metal Recycling reignited concerns among residents about health and environmental impacts from nearby industrial sites. One lawmaker […]
- Bolivian companies team up for green deliveriesby Megan McLaughlin on May 10, 2021 at 7:17 pm
In Cochabamba, west-central Bolivia, companies have teamed up to offer a completely green delivery service in one of South America's most polluted cities.
- Why Indigenous women are risking arrest to fight Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline through Minnesotaby Hilary Beaumont on May 10, 2021 at 11:24 am
On Dec. 14, Simone Senogles of the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota watched as machines chewed up the forest to clear a path to the Mississippi River where […]
- Derrick Z. Jackson receives Scripps Howard Award for COVID-19 coverageby EHN Staff on May 10, 2021 at 11:22 am
Derrick Z. Jackson received the Excellence in Opinion Writing award from Scripps Howard for his columns in Grist and the Union of Concerned Scientists blog on […]
- PFAS found at high levels in pets near Chemours plantby Autumnspanne1 on May 10, 2021 at 11:21 am
NCSU researchers found at least one type of PFAS in every dog tested. Some numbers were staggering, but did those high levels make them sick?
- Everything but the gull: how Ben Watt fought the Covid blues with birdsongby Sam Wollaston on May 10, 2021 at 10:15 am
Blackcap! Chiffchaff! Warbler! The Everything But the Girl star is fighting to save a nature reserve in the heart of the city. As his new album Storm Shelter […]
- Agreement Reached on Mining Exploration Permits Near Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesotaon May 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Suckley’s Cuckoo Bumblebee Takes Step Toward Endangered Species Act Protectionon May 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Climate Lawsuit Challenges Fracking Plan That Threatens Three National Forests in Coloradoon May 10, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Fireplaces and stoves are bigger polluters than trafficby Gary Fuller on May 7, 2021 at 5:00 am
Increases in wood burning have offset gains in other areas, including cleaning up exhaust fumesFireplaces and stoves are now the largest single source of […]
- Cut methane emissions to rapidly fight climate disasters, UN report saysby Damian Carrington Environment editor on May 6, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Fossil fuels, cattle and rotting waste produce greenhouse gas responsible for 30% of global heatingSlashing methane emissions is vital to tackling the climate […]
- Time to take the heat off cooling towers | Brief lettersby Letters on May 6, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Guardian bicentenary | Local elections | Singing birds | Cooling towers | Air pollution | MarmaladeThank you for your fascinating first edition (5 May 1821). I […]
- Ex-environment watchdog chief defends move to Southern Waterby Sandra Laville on May 6, 2021 at 12:33 pm
Toby Willison has taken leading role at water firm due in court for sentencing after sewage dumpingA former chief of the environment watchdog has defended his […]
- Survey: Grazing Destroying Critical Habitat in Arizona’s Agua Fria National Monumenton May 6, 2021 at 12:00 am
- UN Report: Methane Cuts Are Critical to Confronting Climate Emergencyon May 6, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Biden Administration’s ‘America the Beautiful’ Plan Opens Door for Arizonans to Protect Lands, Waterson May 6, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Delaware Urged to Ban Commercial Trapping of Wild Turtleson May 5, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched to Challenge Luxury Marina, Housing Development on Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreilleon May 5, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Public Health Experts, Conservationists Ask Mexico’s Highest Court to Uphold Suspension of 49,000-Hog Industrial Animal Operation in Yucatán Peninsulaon May 5, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Expertos en salud pública y conservacionistas piden al Tribunal Supremo de México que defienda la suspensión de la operación de una granja de 49 mil cerdos en la península de Yucatánon May 5, 2021 at 12:00 am
- New Study: Agricultural Pesticides Cause Widespread Harm to Soil Health, Threaten Biodiversityon May 4, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Bell’s Sparrow, Four Plants Found Only on San Clemente Island Are Latest Endangered Species Act Successon May 4, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Sydney’s air quality dives for second time in a week as fog and smoke blanket cityby Mostafa Rachwani on May 3, 2021 at 4:02 am
Fog leads to poor visibility on roads and suspension of ferry services as health warning issued for haze from hazard reduction burns Sydney has been blanketed […]
- Army Corps Sued for Failure to Protect Waterways, Endangered Wildlife From Pipeline Constructionon May 3, 2021 at 12:00 am
- 100,000 Petitioners Call for Biden to Act on Plastic Pollution, Productionon May 3, 2021 at 12:00 am