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.
- China's port city Qingdao suffers worst algae infestationby Peter Dykstra on July 23, 2021 at 9:47 pm
China's eastern port city Qingdao is experiencing the worst ever algae infestation in the region, with more than 1,700 square km of coastal area blanketed by […]
- A toxic travelogueby Peter Dykstra on July 23, 2021 at 9:45 pm
Tis' the season for summer travel — let's take a look at four U.S. stops steeped in history and lingering pollution.Summitville goldThe first gold rush […]
- Deadly coral disease sweeping Caribbean linked to wastewater from shipsby Peter Dykstra on July 23, 2021 at 9:44 pm
Researchers find ‘significant relationship’ between stony coral tissue loss disease and nearby shipping
- Bay Area regulators just helped frontline communities breathe easierby Peter Dykstra on July 23, 2021 at 9:38 pm
Two massive Bay Area refineries have been required to achieve a 70 percent reduction in particulate matter emissions.
- Climate reporter burns out - by Emily Atkinby Peter Dykstra on July 23, 2021 at 9:10 pm
Why I'm changing HEATED's publishing schedule from daily to weekly.
- Bay Area regulators just helped frontline communities breathe easierby Laura Pyle on July 23, 2021 at 10:55 am
Two massive Bay Area refineries have been required to achieve a 70 percent reduction in particulate matter emissions.
- Group says tighter radiation controls of drilling waste neededby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:20 am
The patchwork of radiation protection laws for oil and gas waste in the U.S. is “inconsistent,” said an official with the National Council on […]
- Millions in state forest gas lease spending ruled unconstitutional by Pa. Supreme Courtby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:18 am
The state is not expected to have to pay back the $383 million that was transferred from a restricted conservation fund to balance budgets.
- FirstEnergy to pay $230 million penalty in Ohio bribery probeby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:16 am
To possibly avoid a conspiracy conviction, Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp., the utility at the heart of a $61-million Ohio Statehouse bribery scandal, has agreed […]
- Cheswick coal-fired power station, last in Allegheny County, will stay open until Aprilby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:14 am
The 565-megawatt coal-fired power station in Springdale was initially scheduled to retire in mid-September.
- Climate change responsible for recent decline of eastern monarch butterfliesby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:11 am
The population of eastern monarch butterflies has been dropping steadily for decades, with some estimates suggesting their numbers are just 20 percent of what […]
- Land grabbers: The growing assault on Brazil's Indigenous areasby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:09 am
Under President Jair Bolsonaro, illegal miners, loggers and ranchers are invading and occupying ever-larger amounts of Indigenous territory. Brazil’s […]
- A sterile solution: How Crispr could protect wild salmonby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:06 am
Gene-editing technology may prevent farmed salmon from interbreeding with their wild counterparts. But will consumers embrace these new fish?
- Bill to subsidize sustainable agriculture "prime contender" for reconciliation packageby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:03 am
The Growing Climate Solutions Act would help farmers and foresters participate in carbon credit markets. Its opponents say it doesn’t go far enough.
- Tax-funded forest institute in Oregon misled public, may have broken state law, audit findsby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 10:00 am
State auditors found that an agency intended to educate the public about forestry presented biased information favoring the timber industry and possibly […]
- Could the voting rights fight hinder climate and energy policies?by Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:57 am
Communities of color are more likely to support pollution controls, renewable energy and other climate policies than white communities.
- Study finds link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease in Charlotte areaby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:54 am
Older residents of the Southern Piedmont were 35 percent more likely to die from the disease than residents in other areas of the state with lower particulate […]
- Extreme heat triggers mass die-offs and stress for wildlife in the Westby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:50 am
Sweltering baby hawks threw themselves out of nests, and mussels baked to death in their shells as record heat brought crisis to the Pacific Northwest.
- A stronger electricity grid is crucial to cutting carbon. Does that make it green?by Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:44 am
A proposal to lay cables beneath the Columbia River is met with skepticism from an Indigenous activist and the river's advocates.
- There is no place you can go to escape wildfire smokeby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:38 am
Wildfires are increasing, and even in states where nothing burns, there’s still smoke.
- The stench of climate changeby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:31 am
While New Mexico sizzles and the West burns, methane emissions from the state's biggest oilfield keep rising.
- For cities, climate adaptation has a new urgencyby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:29 am
A new report argues that cities must assume a wartime footing to protect critical infrastructure and prepare for a more dangerous future.
- CDC warns this is ‘pivotal moment’ in fight against delta variantby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:16 am
"It is one of the most infectious respiratory viruses ... I have seen in my 20-year career," the CDC chief said.
- Eric Dean Wilson on air-conditioning and climate changeby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:14 am
In conversation with Eric Dean Wilson, a professor who investigates the history and impact of artificial cooling on the environment.
- Biden’s Bureau of Land Management pick advanced by Senate committeeby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:10 am
Republicans say Tracy Stone-Manning’s past affiliation with eco-saboteurs makes her unqualified to run the Bureau of Land Management.
- Mercedes-Benz to shift focus to electric vehicles by 2025by Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 9:08 am
The automaker said it would invest 40 billion euros, or $47 billion, on electric cars, vans and light commercial vehicles by 2030.
- Why vaccinated people are getting 'breakthrough' infectionsby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 8:56 am
The vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and death, but they are not a golden shield against the coronavirus.
- Maine will make companies pay for recycling. Here's how it worksby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 8:53 am
The law aims to take the cost burden of recycling away from taxpayers. One environmental advocate said the change could be “transformative.”
- In deal with Germany, U.S. drops threat to block Russian gas pipelinesby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 8:52 am
The agreement infuriated both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, who accused the Biden administration of being soft on Russia.
- PG&E aims to curb wildfire risk by burying many power linesby Autumnspanne1 on July 23, 2021 at 8:48 am
The California utility said the work would involve about 10,000 miles of its network, a project potentially costing tens of billions of dollars.
- UNESCO Urges End to Border Wall Threatening World Heritage Site, Wildlife in Mexicoon July 23, 2021 at 12:00 am
- La UNESCO insta a poner fin al muro fronterizo que amenaza la vida silvestre en sitio de Patrimonio Mundial en Méxicoon July 23, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched to Protect National Conservation Area in Arizona From Destructive Cattle Grazingon July 22, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Biden Administration Announces Decommissioning of Oil Rigs Off Californiaon July 22, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Seismic Oil, Gas Testing in Gulf of Mexicoon July 22, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Forces EPA to Reduce Dangerous Smog Affecting Millions in California, Coloradoon July 22, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Are we being kept safe from ‘forever chemicals’ injected into fracking sites? | David Bondby David Bond on July 21, 2021 at 10:35 am
A bombshell exposé revealed that oil and gas firms are injecting PFAS chemicals into fracking sites, threatening groundwaterNot willing to rest their […]
- Plantwatch: beauty can grow from unpromising groundby Paul Simons on July 21, 2021 at 5:00 am
The discovery of the rare maiden pink at an electricity substation shows how nature can flourish in unlikely spotsA beautiful rare flower has been found […]
- Britain’s rivers are suffocating to death | George Monbiotby George Monbiot on July 21, 2021 at 5:00 am
Water that should be crystal clear has become a green-brown slop of microscopic algae because of industrial farm wasteThere’s more below the surface than […]
- Lawsuit Targets Wildlife Agency for Failing to Protect Habitat for 23 Endangered Micronesian Specieson July 20, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Wildlife Protection Groups Call on Wisconsin Attorney General to Remove Natural Resources Board Chairon July 20, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Doctors issue official guidance on effects of air pollution and bushfire smoke on pregnant peopleby Isabelle Oderberg on July 19, 2021 at 7:21 am
Information should serve as ‘wake-up call’ that action on climate change is needed to protect people and their children• Download the free […]
- How the billionaire space race could be one giant leap for pollutionby Katharine Gammon on July 19, 2021 at 6:00 am
One rocket launch produces up to 300 tons of carbon dioxide into the upper atmosphere where it can remain for yearsLast week Virgin Galactic took Richard […]
- Groups Sue EPA Over Approval of Toxic Herbicide Citing Risks to Endangered Species, Drift Harmson July 19, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Gov. DeSantis Urged to Declare State of Emergency Due to Red Tideon July 19, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Launched Over Idaho’s Harmful Wolf-Hunting Lawson July 19, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Florida swamped by red tide – but is fertilizer plant spill making it worse?by Katharine Gammon on July 17, 2021 at 10:00 am
Dolphins, manatees and 800 tons of dead fish are piling up on the state’s shorelines in one of the worst algal blooms in yearsPiles of dead fish, […]
- Mexico Drastically Eases Enforcement in Vaquita ‘Zero Tolerance’ Areaon July 16, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Trillions of dollars spent on Covid recovery in ways that harm environmentby Fiona Harvey Environment correspondent on July 15, 2021 at 5:00 am
Only 10% of $17tn global bailout directed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and restoring nature, report findsTrillions of dollars poured into rescuing […]
- Navy to Reexamine Effects of Pacific Training Exercises on Endangered Whaleson July 15, 2021 at 12:00 am