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.
- When climate change drove all the men awayby Laura Pyle on February 26, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Hundreds of thousands of young Indigenous campesinos in Mexico are putting down their farming tools to seek work abroad as harvests continue to drop […]
- The Overpopulation Podcast: The climate – population connectionby Laura Pyle on February 26, 2020 at 2:20 pm
If our profligate lifestyles have a big carbon footprint, then the number of footprints makes a big difference, and it is undoubtedly “under-discussed."
- Chemical hazards in Mardi Gras beads: 2020 updateby Laura Pyle on February 26, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Why are toxic chemicals present in so many Mardi Gras-type beads and at such significant levels? The short answer: Electronic waste.
- Bayer chairman quits as Roundup settlement talks progressby Peter Dykstra on February 26, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Bayer Chairman Werner Wenning, one of the architects of a $63 billion takeover d...
- 'It was everywhere': How lead is poisoning America's poorest childrenby Laura Pyle on February 26, 2020 at 1:26 pm
The contaminant has endangered hundreds of thousands of kids. But parents in the hardest-hit neighborhoods may never be warned of the threat.
- Todd Haynes: 'People who say Trump is bound to win are letting it happen'by Ryan Gilbey on February 26, 2020 at 1:01 pm
His film Dark Waters is a thriller about a lawyer who took on DuPont over chemical pollution. The director talks about why activism works – and why […]
- Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto explains why he isn’t backing the Green New Deal, but why he is also opposed to frackingby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Despite his opposition to future cracker plants, Peduto hasn't joined the movement supporting the Green New Deal.
- DOJ is building a criminal case around Energy Transfer’s Revolution pipeline explosionby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 12:23 pm
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the 2018 natural gas pipeline explosion in Beaver County, adding to a growing list of […]
- Breathe Project questions $3 million settlement over air pollution violations at Clairton Coke Worksby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 12:20 pm
The Allegheny County Health Department and U.S. Steel recently reached a settlement over air pollution violations at the Clairton Coke Works, but Matt Mehalik, […]
- The disappearing songs of Hawaii's endangered native birdsby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 12:17 pm
New research finds that different species of honeycreepers on the island of Kauai are singing the same songs. What does this mean for their survival?
- Could a California law help save America's public lands throughout the West?by Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 12:13 pm
The state's new law is fighting the Trump administration’s expansion of oil and gas drilling on public lands, a potential model for the rest of the […]
- Opponents fault Trump proposal to cut environmental reviewsby Megan McLaughlin on February 26, 2020 at 12:00 pm
A Trump administration proposal to roll back environmental reviews for big projects is drawing heavy objections from African American and Latino communities.
- The energy industry's "metaphysical" argument for a pipeline that crosses the Appalachian Trailby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:59 am
Legal experts are baffled over how this case made it to the Supreme Court.
- 3 ways to tell if corporations are genuine about fighting climate changeby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:43 am
Experts offer criteria for separating legitimate climate plans from hollow claims.
- Sera Young on identifying who is water insecureby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:35 am
When it comes to water, who is insecure?
- The other toll of Uber and Lyft rides: Pollutionby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:29 am
The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that the environmental impact of Uber and Lyft rides is 69% worse than the transportation modes they replace.
- BP to withdraw from U.S. trade groupsby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:24 am
The move comes after the oil giant vowed to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- Climate activists say JPMorgan Chase's fossil fuel loan restrictions don't go far enoughby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:22 am
It will “retain the title of the doomsday bank,” one said.
- She traveled 800 miles to weigh in on a White House plan to roll back a bedrock environmental law. She got 3 minutes.by Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 11:11 am
Activists and politicians accused the Trump administration of trying to curtail public input as it moves to change the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Sunspots and stranded whales: A bizarre correlationby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 10:49 am
A collaboration between biologists and an astronomer sought to add evidence to the idea that whale migration is affected by solar weather.
- Spread of virus could hasten the great coming apart of globalizationby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 10:46 am
As the coronavirus hits Europe, questions arise about dependency on China, the risks of air travel, climate change and a new racism in populist politics.
- After Trump mocks a sea wall in New York, plan is abruptly shelvedby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 10:43 am
In an unexpected move, the federal government halted a project that might have led to a multibillion-dollar barrier to protect the region from flooding.
- To save Louisiana's vanishing coast, build a mini Mississippi near Bostonby Autumnspanne1 on February 26, 2020 at 10:39 am
A $1.4 billion project to protect the Louisiana coast from subsidence and climate change is being tested in a warehouse-size lab in Massachusetts.
- ‘A foot on both sides of the line’: Q&A with Indigenous MLA Adam Olsen on Wet’suwet’en conflictby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 6:13 am
Passing through a solidarity blockade to enter the B.C. legislature was 'devastating' for Olsen who says even now he refuses to give up on the power of […]
- Yukon seeks $25 million in outstanding cleanup fees from owners of shuttered, contaminated Wolverine mineby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 6:10 am
After operating for just three years, Yukon Zinc, owned by a private Chinese company, left the territory with unpaid security deposits and a flooded, polluted, […]
- The planet is screwed, says bank that screwed the planetby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 6:02 am
A report from two economists at JP Morgan Chase pushes back against traditional economic wisdom on climate change.
- Diana Beresford-Kroeger on the flawed thinking that got us to climate crisisby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 5:24 am
Our conversation with the renowned botanist turns to fire, money and manual work.
- More than 20 bulldozers, one aircraft, and tons of other gear spread around the Arctic seafloor by Russia's ice baseby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 5:13 am
Have you ever wondered what happens to all the fuel barrels and bulldozers flown in to facilitate the airfield on the ice?
- Costa Rican indigenous land activist killed by armed mobby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 5:04 am
Yehry Rivera, 45, latest to die in spate of violence as Brörán community has been trying to reclaim ancestral land.
- PFAS found in more Delaware drinking water sourcesby Jim Germond on February 26, 2020 at 4:54 am
Two widely spread "forever chemicals" have been found in more wells near the Dover Air Force Base.
- Black Pinesnake Wins 324,000 Acres of Protected Critical Habitat in Mississippi, Alabamaon February 25, 2020 at 12:00 am
- California Court: Kern County Violating Law by Rubberstamping Oil Drillingon February 25, 2020 at 12:00 am
- More Than 95 Conservation Groups Oppose Trillion Trees Acton February 25, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Wednesday Border Wall Action Planned at Arizona’s Organ Pipe National Monumenton February 25, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Analysis: Prescott’s Water Plan Promotes Sprawl, Threatens Arizona’s Upper Verde Riveron February 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Court Orders Trump EPA to Rein in Dangerous Particulate Pollution in Arizonaon February 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration Failure to Update Plan to Save Houston Toadson February 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Groups Urge Arizona Sen. McSally to Protect Grand Canyon From Uranium Miningon February 24, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Minamata review – Johnny Depp attempts redemption in heartfelt look at disaster that struck Japanese townby Peter Bradshaw on February 21, 2020 at 8:30 pm
Depp plays real-life US photojournalist W Eugene Smith who travels to cover the story of mercury poisoning that caused horrendous disfigurementsMinamata is not […]
- Coal and wet wood burning: how will restrictions work?by Jonathan Watts on February 21, 2020 at 2:18 pm
Everything you need to know about the phasing out of the polluting domestic fuels in EnglandFrom next year, sales of the most polluting domestic fuels, coal […]
- Feds Urged to Deny Permit for 200-foot Dam on San Francisco River on Arizona-New Mexico Borderon February 21, 2020 at 12:00 am
- More Than 4,000 Acres of Protected Habitat Proposed for Endangered Florida Fernon February 21, 2020 at 12:00 am
- California Terminates Plan for Southern California Gas-fired Power Planton February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Report: Refusal to Ban Trapping Threatens Turtles in 10 States, Enables Illegal Tradeon February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Congress Introduces Bill to Save Monarch Butterflies in Weston February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Legal Petition: TVA Violating Customers’ Rights by Giving Millions to Dirty Energy Lobbyistson February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Legal Petition Urges EPA to End Abuse of ‘Emergency’ Pesticide Exemptionson February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Utah Coalition to Protest Misuse of Public Money on Fossil Fuel Projectson February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Trade Ban, Stronger Protections Sought for 20 Imperiled Coral Specieson February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Targets Trump Administration Delays in Protecting Ancient Lake Sturgeonon February 20, 2020 at 12:00 am