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.
- From the Amazon to Australia, why is your money funding Earth’s destruction? | George Monbiotby George Monbiot on November 30, 2022 at 6:00 am
Fossil fuels, fisheries and farming: the world’s most destructive industries are protected – and subsidised – by governmentsIn every conflict over the […]
- Op-ed: Global Push for Population Growth Shows We’re Not Grappling with the Climate Crisisby Douglas Fischer on November 30, 2022 at 3:47 am
Progress is being undone by growth, especially as the climate crisis deepens.
- Imperial Oil ‘repeatedly failed’ to tell Saskatchewan landowners about contaminationby Jim Germond on November 30, 2022 at 2:50 am
Contaminated sites can cause serious health risks and devalue property. Saskatchewan requires companies to notify those affected, but internal documents reveal […]
- Thousands of species are at risk of extinction in Canadaby Jim Germond on November 30, 2022 at 2:39 am
The most comprehensive assessment yet of wild species in Canada shows a pressing need for action in the lead-up to United Nations global biodiversity […]
- One man’s determined fight for solar power in rural Ohioby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 10:57 pm
What happens when state experts on renewable energy defer to local opposition despite the threats posed by climate change?
- The best climate change charities for 2022 and 2023by Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 10:46 pm
These are 8 of the most high-impact, cost-effective, evidence-based organizations. You may not have heard of them.
- How UK architecture has made homes vulnerable to extreme heat and coldby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 10:42 pm
Climate change is not an abstraction but felt immediately and painfully in homes — which are under ever greater scrutiny as the UK seeks solutions to the […]
- Ancient virus revived from Russian permafrost after 48,500 yearsby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 10:27 pm
The virus, a Pandoravirus, had been lying dormant in Russia's permafrost. The study sheds light on the dangers of climate change awakening prehistoric diseases […]
- Climate change will make migration levels soar in the future, says former MI5 bossby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 10:17 pm
Climate change will cause waves of migration that will make current levels seem like “nothing”, a former MI5 boss has said.
- Baltimore County leaders to consider a new way to pay for cost of climate changeby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 10:02 pm
Paying for damage done by climate change can cost local governments big bucks. The Baltimore County Council is considering establishing a resilience authority […]
- Climate change is driving up food pricesby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 9:55 pm
One-sixth of all agricultural production, according to the USDA, is traded internationally — which means that what happens in many of those highly […]
- IFAD warns climate change becoming major threat to food security in Africaby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 9:45 pm
The International Fund for Agricultural Development says crippling spikes in food and energy prices continue to hit East and Southern Africa, coupled by the […]
- ‘Tireless fighter’ for social justice Rep. Donald McEachin dies at 61by Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 9:09 pm
Since coming to Congress in 2017, one of McEachin’s main priorities was to reduce the impact of climate change on marginalized communities.
- Ohio coal-fired power plant could close after EPA decisionby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 8:56 pm
The EPA decided to revoke the James M. Gavin power plant's permit to dump coal ash into unlined pits.
- Sarajevo ranked the world's most polluted cityby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 8:45 pm
Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo has earned the dubious title of the most polluted city in the world according to figures from air quality technology firm IQAir.
- The planet desperately needs that UN plastics treatyby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 8:40 pm
An agreement can’t magically end the catastrophe of plastic pollution. But it could be a step in the right direction.
- With federal aid on the table, utilities shift to embrace climate goalsby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 8:34 pm
As billions in government subsidies were at stake, the electric utility industry shed its opposition to clean-air regulation and put its lobbying muscle behind […]
- Why washing clothes in cold water is better for the environmentby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 8:10 pm
Laundry can be the most significant thing that you do when it comes to reducing your clothes' environmental impact, experts say.
- Fracking company featured in ‘Gasland’ faces criminal pollution charges in Pennsylvaniaby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 7:53 pm
A natural-gas drilling company facing criminal charges for allegedly contaminating the drinking water in a rural Pennsylvania town is expected to enter a plea […]
- US to spend $250m on cleanup at California’s toxic Salton Seaby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 7:44 pm
The federal government said Monday it will spend $250m over four years on environmental cleanup and restoration work around a drying southern California lake […]
- New Brunswick has backlog of 1,046 contaminated sitesby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 7:42 pm
The New Brunswick government has a backlog of more than 1,000 contaminated sites that should have been cleaned up by now, some of them dating back more than 35 […]
- Train your brainby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 7:29 pm
We know what we need to do for the climate, so why don’t we just do it? A neurosurgeon explains.
- North Carolina's coast impacted by climate changeby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 7:15 pm
North Carolina's coast is one of the many reasons our state is among the most beautiful in the nation, but a changing climate is impacting how our coast looks.
- EPA grants Mississippi $500k for air monitoring in Pascagoulaby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 7:07 pm
After years of resident complaints of toxic fumes and health issues, the EPA has funded Mississippi to conduct air monitoring in Pascagoula. This comes a year […]
- Waste pickers risk their lives to stop plastic pollution – now they could help shape global recycling policiesby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 6:57 pm
Globally, waste pickers do more than any other people to prevent plastic contaminating the environment, yet their work is rarely valued and they struggle to […]
- Smog engulfs Indian capital as winter pollution worsensby Megan McLaughlin on November 29, 2022 at 6:48 pm
Thick smog engulfed India’s capital New Delhi yesterday as air pollution worsened with the setting in of winter, shooting up concentrations of fine particles […]
- Tyre Extinguishers deflate tyres of 900 SUVs in ‘biggest ever action’by Damien Gayle on November 29, 2022 at 6:28 pm
The climate activists claim to have targeted 4x4 owners in eight European and US citiesGuerrilla climate activists Tyre Extinguishers have claimed their […]
- Air pollution linked to almost a million stillbirths a yearby Damian Carrington Environment editor on November 29, 2022 at 4:00 pm
First global analysis follows discovery of toxic pollution particles in lungs and brains of foetusesAlmost a million stillbirths a year can be attributed to […]
- Editorial: PFAS denials leave polluters unaccountableby Pete Myers on November 29, 2022 at 3:18 pm
The Western Virginia Water Authority is spending millions of dollars on an advanced filter system to keep a dangerous “forever chemical” made by Chemours […]
- China's Covid Zero policy is putting its climate action on iceby EHN Staff on November 29, 2022 at 11:55 am
Environmentalists say the country’s strict Covid restrictions are cutting off international collaborations and stymieing climate projects.
- China COVID protests: Why are they happening?by EHN Staff on November 29, 2022 at 11:54 am
Three years into the pandemic, China remains the only major economy pursuing a zero-COVID policy. It has led to widespread disaffection and protests.
- Op-ed: What the media gets wrong about the new world population numbersby Peter Raven on November 29, 2022 at 11:44 am
The essay the Washington Post’s editorial board recently published downplaying the population disaster is itself a disaster — a misrepresentation of the […]
- Don't hold your breathby Jim Germond on November 29, 2022 at 11:43 am
In Baie Verte, N.L., a mine that once brought prosperity now symbolizes pain, suffering and death. Nobody knows how to get rid of it.
- New Lawsuit Demands National Gray Wolf Recovery Planon November 29, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Northern Long-Eared Bats Win Endangered Species Protectionon November 29, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Great Barrier Reef should be placed on world heritage ‘in danger’ list, UN-backed report saysby Graham Readfearn on November 28, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Experts from Unesco and IUCN find climate change threatens reef’s values and work to improve water quality is too slowFollow our Australia news live blog for […]
- Water chiefs blame UK government for failure to stop sewage pollutionby Helena Horton on November 26, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Under-fire water firms, criticised for their part in the scandal, have pointed the finger at the authorities in newly revealed lettersWater company bosses have […]
- It’s a colorless, toxic gas. A US woman won $363m after years of exposureby Mario Koran on November 26, 2022 at 12:00 pm
An Illinois resident won her case against the company Sterigenics – but other sufferers’ lawsuits hang in the balanceFor more than 30 years, Susan Kamuda […]
- Country diary: Litter, litter, everywhereby Amy-Jane Beer on November 26, 2022 at 5:30 am
Kendal, Cumbria: Here in the river we do our best to remove the waste that is at least visible to the naked eyeOn a bright autumn morning, a colourful […]
- Ulez to be expanded across whole of Greater London from Augustby Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent on November 25, 2022 at 12:42 pm
Mayor says ultra-low emission zone has been ‘transformational’ and expansion will benefit 5m more peopleLondon’s ultra-low emission zone will be expanded […]
- CITES Meeting Concludes With Bids to Open Ivory, Rhino Horn Trading Defeatedon November 25, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Water companies dumping sewage during dry weather, SAS report findsby Helena Horton Environment reporter on November 24, 2022 at 4:00 am
Report exposes scale of human waste discharges into UK waters, including potentially illegal ‘dry spills’Water companies have been releasing sewage on to […]
- CITES Vote Grants 21 U.S. Turtle Species International Trade Protectionson November 23, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Groups Petition EPA to Require Better Measurement of Toxic Air Pollution Emitted by Colorado Plant’s Disposal of Fossil Fuel Wasteon November 23, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Legal Victory: Court Orders EPA to Protect Endangered Wildlife From Toxic Pesticideon November 22, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Conservation Groups Intervene to Protect Utah Monuments, Antiquities Acton November 22, 2022 at 12:00 am
- Critical Habitat Proposed for Endangered Florida Bonneted Baton November 22, 2022 at 12:00 am
- EPA Requires St. Croix Refinery to Obtain New Air Permit Before Restartingon November 21, 2022 at 12:00 am
- New Washington Wildlife Commission Policy Forecloses Spring Bear Hunton November 21, 2022 at 12:00 am
- New Survey: 90% of Americans Want Less Materialistic Holidayson November 21, 2022 at 12:00 am