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.
- 'Do you mind listening to that with headphones?' How one little phrase revolutionised my commute | Hannah Ewensby Hannah Ewens on July 27, 2024 at 8:00 am
Noisy devices are making public transport hell. But do passengers realise the pain they inflict?Earlier in the summer I started a social experiment – one you […]
- Op-ed: Ripe for disaster declarations — heat, wildfire smoke and death databy Derrick Z. Jackson on July 26, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Extreme heat and wildfire smoke should of course be defined as major disasters by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. According to the National Weather […]
- Childhood air pollution directly linked to adult lung health, study saysby Gary Fuller on July 26, 2024 at 5:00 am
Connection found between early exposure and bronchitic symptoms in adults without previous lung problemsAir pollution breathed in during childhood is one of […]
- UN chief urges wealthy countries to beat fossil fuel ‘addiction’ amid expansionsby Oliver Milman in New York on July 25, 2024 at 4:43 pm
Secretary general said wealthiest countries are ‘signing away our future’ with more production and called for phase-out of fossil fuelsThe world’s […]
- Living near oil and gas operations linked to worse mental health in people hoping to become pregnantby Kristina Marusic on July 25, 2024 at 11:45 am
Living near oil and gas operations, including fracking wells, is linked to stress and depression in people who are planning pregnancies, according to a new […]
- Deafening concerts have turned Madrid stadium into ‘torture-drome’, say residentsby Sam Jones in Madrid on July 25, 2024 at 9:00 am
People living next to Santiago Bernabéu venue say gigs – including those by Taylor Swift – are ruining their lives and are taking actionWhen Delphine de […]
- Ulez expansion led to significant drop in air pollutants in London, report findsby Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on July 25, 2024 at 4:00 am
Change equivalent to removing 200,000 cars for a year, with capital’s air quality improving at faster rate than rest of EnglandLevels of harmful air […]
- ‘This used to be a beautiful place’: how the US became the world’s biggest fossil fuel stateby Oliver Milman in Cameron, Louisiana, with photographs by Bryan Tarnowski on July 24, 2024 at 3:00 pm
No country has ever in history produced as much oil and gas as the US does now and Louisiana is ground zeroRevealed: wealthy western countries lead in global […]
- ‘They’re waiting till we die of cancer’: 10 years on, Mexico’s worst mining disaster still poisons livesby Daniel Shailer in Ures, Mexico on July 24, 2024 at 1:00 pm
In the desert town of Ures, everyone lives under a shadow of ongoing sickness and hardship stemming from a waste spill in 2014. But they are losing hope of […]
- Op-ed: How my family’s culinary traditions opened my eyes to invisible environmental threatsby Maria Jose Talayero Schettino on July 24, 2024 at 11:54 am
Every Mexican Independence Day, Día de Muertos and Christmas, my grandmother would lovingly prepare classic dishes like Pozole and Romeritos using her prized […]
- Cómo las tradiciones culinarias de mi familia abrieron mis ojos a las amenazas ambientales invisiblesby Maria Jose Talayero Schettino on July 24, 2024 at 9:29 am
Cada día de la Independencia de México, Día de Muertos y Navidad, mi abuela prepara platillos clásicos como pozole y romeritos usando su preciada vajilla […]
- Donkeys in Kenya are dying with stomachs full of plastic – and other animals are at riskby Phoebe Weston and Caroline Kimeu in Lamu on July 23, 2024 at 7:00 am
With little grass for grazing on the island of Lamu, donkeys are rummaging through rubbish – and scientists now fear it is a global problem affecting many […]
- Pollution plan ‘must cut intensive farming for Lough Neagh to survive’by Tommy Greene on July 22, 2024 at 4:42 pm
Stormont’s rescue proposal for UK’s largest lake criticised by campaigners for dilution of sewage reduction targetsThere will have to be a move away from […]
- Here’s how we can fight back on water bills | Letterby Guardian Staff on July 22, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Paul Kaufman of Boycott Thames Water hopes public anger over water industry failings will force the government to take actionPublic fury at the water industry […]
- Australia’s major food companies failing nature, report finbdsby Graham Readfearn on July 22, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Targets to halt environmental damage ‘severely lacking’, Australian Conservation Foundation says, urging food industry to ‘step up to the plate’Follow […]
- Op-ed: The climate crisis demands a move away from car dependencyby Anna Zivarts on July 22, 2024 at 11:49 am
My nightmares about waves started the night our building flooded. I was living in a commercial loft in Red Hook, Brooklyn, when Hurricane Sandy hit. None of […]
- Biden administration unveils plan to wean US government off single-use plasticsby Brian Bienkowski on July 22, 2024 at 11:45 am
The U.S. government will stop using single-use plastics in all federal operations by 2035, according to a strategy released by the Biden administration on […]
- Real-time water quality monitors installed at wild swimming spots in southern Englandby Linda Geddes on July 21, 2024 at 1:00 pm
AI-based system designed to help people assess immediate risk of getting ill from water polluted with bacteriaReal-time water quality monitors are being […]
- Chemical recycling has an economic and environmental injustice problem: Reportby Kristina Marusic on July 19, 2024 at 12:46 pm
PITTSBURGH — Chemical recycling projects are unlikely to generate local economic benefits or help reduce global plastic pollution, according to a new […]
- Yorkshire Water bosses get hefty bonuses after company failed customersby Rob Davies on July 19, 2024 at 12:17 pm
CEO and CFO given total of £616,000 for a year in which some residents struggled to go about daily livesTwo bosses of Yorkshire Water have been handed a […]
- Pennsylvania governor signs controversial carbon storage bill into law, paving the way for hydrogen hubsby Kristina Marusic on July 19, 2024 at 11:50 am
PITTSBURGH — On July 17, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a carbon capture and storage bill that creates a legal framework for […]
- ‘Ugly’ phone boxes that blight UK streets should be removed, says thinktankby Helena Horton Environment reporter on July 19, 2024 at 10:37 am
Exclusive: Create Streets calls for legislation to make it easier to remove kiosks that attract litter and graffitiThe new Labour government should remove […]
- DIY artificial reefs are boosting fish numbers in Yemen. But there’s a catchby Abdulmalik al-Nomari in Mokha, Yemen on July 19, 2024 at 5:00 am
Fishers have revived a traditional practice of building ‘scrap’ reefs to attract fish but are using plastic and tyres instead of rocks and branches, and […]
- Let there be night: digital billboards to be turned off to curb light pollution under Melbourne city proposalby Adeshola Ore on July 17, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Illuminated signs have increased nocturnal artificial light and are detrimental to the city’s liveability and sustainability, a review has foundFollow our […]
- Paris mayor swims in Seine as river is cleaned up just in time for Olympicsby Kim Willsher in Paris on July 17, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Anne Hidalgo fulfils pledge after cleanup operation makes water quality safe enough to host events at Games It has been the dream and promise of Paris mayors […]
- LISTEN: Maria Jose Talayero Schettino on using her research to advocate for environmental justice in Mexicoby Brian Bienkowski on July 17, 2024 at 11:22 am
Dr. Maria Jose Talayero Schettino joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss why she switched careers from physician to […]
- 30 environmental advocacy groups ask PA governor to veto carbon capture billby Kristina Marusic on July 17, 2024 at 11:21 am
PITTSBURGH — A group of more than 30 environmental and health advocacy groups have asked Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to veto a bill that would pave […]
- With Paris Olympians set to dive into the Seine, could urban swimming come to Melbourne’s Yarra?by Sharlotte Thou on July 17, 2024 at 7:11 am
While swimming in the Yarra is legal, Yarra city council has begun a new push to clean up the river by signing on to the Swimmable Cities CharterFollow our […]
- Every water firm in England and Wales under investigation over sewage spillsby Julia Kollewe on July 16, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Ofwat opens cases against Severn Trent and three others, days after they faced criticism over huge bill risesSouthern Water boss handed £183,000 bonus despite […]
- Mother suing government for child’s pollution death seeks official apologyby Haroon Siddique and agency on July 15, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah is suing three government departments over Ella’s fatal asthma attackThe mother of a nine-year-old girl who became the first […]
- Op-ed: Farmers of color need climate action now. The farm bill is our best hope.by Navina Khanna on July 15, 2024 at 11:41 am
As summer heats up, we all find ourselves wondering, how hot will this one be? Several of the last summers have been the hottest summers on record. For […]
- Monsanto Roundup trial win overturned by Oregon courtby Carey Gillam on July 12, 2024 at 11:23 am
This story was originally published in The New Lede, a journalism project of the Environmental Working Group, and is republished here with permission.An Oregon […]
- Bioplastics are inadequately defined, poorly regulated, and potentially toxic: Reportby Cami Ferrell on July 11, 2024 at 2:47 pm
HOUSTON — The lack of federal regulations and clear definitions for bioplastics make it increasingly difficult to determine whether or not they are a safe […]
- Op-ed: New White House strategy backs food rescue efforts but more is needed to fight hunger and wasteby Jessica Knight on July 9, 2024 at 11:03 am
Inflated food prices and intense summer heat are top of mind for both consumers and producers of food around the country. At the same time, the U.S. continues […]
- Our annual summer reading list, 2024 editionby Brian Bienkowski on July 4, 2024 at 9:30 am
It's hard to believe it's already the Fourth of July — which means fireworks, cookouts, beach time and our annual summer reading list!Members of our staff […]
- LISTEN: Alastair Lee Bitsóí on becoming a writer to advocate for Indigenous communitiesby Brian Bienkowski on July 3, 2024 at 11:35 am
Alastair Lee Bitsóí joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast to discuss how his Navajo upbringing and roots shape his writing and push for […]
- Soportar la "interminable" expansión del corredor petroquímico de la nación: El Canal de Navegación de Houstonby Cami Ferrell on July 3, 2024 at 9:30 am
En un siglo, la ciudad de Houston, alguna vez reconocida por sus magnolias, se convirtió en la Capital de Energía del mundo. Para muchos, con 52 millas de […]
- WATCH: Enduring the “endless” expansion of the nation’s petrochemical corridorby Cami Ferrell on July 1, 2024 at 11:43 am
In the course of a century, Houston, once known for its magnolia flowers, turned into the “energy capital of the world.” To many, at 52 miles long and […]
- Nippon Steel shareholders demand environmental accountability in light of pending U.S. Steel acquisitionby Kristina Marusic on June 28, 2024 at 11:18 am
During a shareholders meeting in Tokyo last Friday, a group of investors in Nippon Steel asked the company to improve its decarbonization strategy and reduce […]
- Another chemical recycling plant closure offers ‘flashing red light’ to nascent industryby Ben Seal on June 27, 2024 at 11:41 am
For the second time this year, a chemical recycling plant built to turn waste into usable products has closed, casting further doubt on the viability of an […]
- Op-ed: PFAS contamination endangers farmers’ health — a new federal program would empower them to address the crisisby Sarah Alexander on June 26, 2024 at 11:14 am
When dozens of Maine farmers discovered high levels of PFAS in their soil and water, our state’s agricultural community found itself on the verge of crisis. […]
- Portable air filters in daycares can reduce indoor pollution by 83%: Studyby Kristina Marusic on June 24, 2024 at 11:21 am
PITTSBURGH — Portable air filters in daycares and early learning centers can decrease harmful indoor pollutants by 83%, according to a new report. The […]
- Op-ed: In a warming world, nurses heal people and the planetby Katie Huffling on June 17, 2024 at 11:39 am
During the Covid pandemic, the world cheered as we nurses stepped up. Everyone knows we are essential workers, but our essential role in coping with the […]
- Commentary: Plastic research needs independent scientists free of industry influenceby Pete Myers on June 14, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Editor's note: The note below from Environmental Health Sciences' founder and chief scientist, Pete Myers, is a featured comment on a recent Washington Post […]
- Trump rallies GOP against Biden's energy policiesby EHN Curators on June 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm
In a rally with GOP senators, Trump criticized Biden's energy policies and electric vehicle mandates, emphasizing a high-level vision for his potential second […]
- Phthalate chemicals found in popular coconut oilsby EHN Editors on June 13, 2024 at 11:51 am
Seven popular coconut oils recently tested have detectable levels of phthalates, according to a new report from Mamavation.Partnering with EHN.org, Mamavation […]
- Webinar: protecting children’s developing brains: hazards of plastics and chemicals in plasticsby Sarah Howard on June 12, 2024 at 3:43 pm
This Aug. 6 webinar features Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Dr. Carmen Marsit, and Maureen Swanson discussing how children’s developing brains are harmed by the effects […]
- “Cancer Alley” residents exposed to more than the lifetime exposure limit for cancer-causing compound: Reportby Cami Ferrell on June 12, 2024 at 11:55 am
HOUSTON – Louisiana communities are experiencing up to 1,000 times the lifetime exposure limit for the cancer-causing compound ethylene oxide, according to a […]
- This diet will likely keep you alive longer — and help the planetby Brian Bienkowski on June 10, 2024 at 11:41 am
People who closely follow an environmentally conscious plant-heavy diet that also includes modest portions of meat and dairy, dubbed the Planetary Health Diet, […]
- FDA lifts Juul ban amid vaping industry legal battlesby EHN Curators on June 7, 2024 at 11:54 am
Juul products are back on the market as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reverses its ban, with the Supreme Court set to address vaping regulations […]