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.
- El costo mental de la contaminación: Cómo la contaminación del aire, el agua y el clima dan forma a nuestra salud mentalby EHN Staff on December 8, 2021 at 7:35 am
Una investigación sobre las repercusiones en la salud mental de la contaminación del aire y el agua en el oeste de Pensilvania encontró […]
- La contaminación del aire puede alterar nuestro cerebro de tal forma que aumenta el riesgo de enfermedad mentalby Kristina Marusic on December 8, 2021 at 7:34 am
Una nueva investigación revela que el aire contaminado está vinculado a los problemas de salud mental, dejando a los niños del oeste de […]
- Cómo el agua contaminada contribuye a las enfermedades mentalesby Kristina Marusic on December 8, 2021 at 7:33 am
PITTSBURGH-En una semana promedio, NaTisha Washington escucha de personas mayores que se ven obligadas a elegir entre mantener el agua corriente o pagar las […]
- ¿Te sientes ansioso por el cambio climático? Los expertos dicen que no estás soloby Julie Grant on December 8, 2021 at 7:32 am
Mahitha Ramachandran, estudiante de tercer año en Fox Chapel Area High School, tiene tan solo 16 años, pero lleva ya años […]
- Cómo afrontar la inminente crisis de ansiedad climáticaby Julie Grant on December 8, 2021 at 7:31 am
Cuanto más personas experimentan el cambio climático, o incluso escuchen sobre tormentas e incendios forestales, más se espera que afecte […]
- Buscando soluciones: Contaminación y salud mental en el oeste de Pensilvaniaby Kristina Marusic on December 8, 2021 at 7:30 am
En Pollution's mental toll, presentamos algunas de las formas en que el cambio climático y el aire y el agua contaminados afectan la salud mental en el […]
- Sea level rise could flood toxic sites along the Bay Area’s shore. This city has 21 facilities at riskby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 3:20 am
Richmond boasts the longest shoreline of any Bay Area city, 32 miles dotted with heavy industry such as chemical plants, factories and the Chevron oil refinery.
- What are carbon markets? And do they work?by Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 3:06 am
Carbon markets and cap and trade programs might not save the world, but in the long run, they can push countries and companies to invest in solar and other […]
- Where is central California’s water going?by Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 2:53 am
Small farmers struggle as ag titans wheel water for profit.
- Virginia board denies air pollution permit for compressor stationby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 2:09 am
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board in a 6–1 vote on Friday denied a permit to the proposed Lambert compressor station that would pump gas for the […]
- Massive aid on way to plug pollution from oil, gas wellsby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 1:57 am
For decades, Pennsylvania has barely made a dent in stopping pollution from hundreds of thousands of abandoned or orphaned oil and gas wells.
- CO2 tax at Europe′s border: Revolution or protectionism?by Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 1:30 am
The EU is picking up speed with climate protection regulations. For imports from abroad, a carbon tax will soon be introduced. But poorer countries could be […]
- Pakistan: How Lahore′s smog is harming residentsby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 1:14 am
People living in Pakistan's second-largest city are devising novel ways to raise awareness and tackle the annual pollution crisis.
- Tree-planting goals miss the forest for the lack of diverse, good-quality seedsby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 1:01 am
Ambitious targets by Asian countries to restore tens of millions of hectares of degraded land by 2030 could be foiled by one fundamental problem: a lack of […]
- E-scooters are everywhere in Europe. So are grisly accidentsby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 12:45 am
Crashes, nuisance, and clutter are creating hostility to the industry’s startups. Scandinavian cities are forcing them to change course.
- Alaska’s absent snowy owlsby Jim Germond on December 8, 2021 at 12:28 am
The only reliable snowy owl breeding site in the United States has a conspicuous shortage of owls.
- Experts say fossil fuel royalty review should include waterby Jim Germond on December 7, 2021 at 11:58 pm
BC is overhauling what it charges companies to access public resources. The public can weigh in until Dec. 10.
- Climate change will cost Ontario billions, fiscal watchdog warnsby Jim Germond on December 7, 2021 at 11:42 pm
Climate change will mean billions of dollars in additional infrastructure costs for future Ontario governments, the province’s fiscal watchdog warns.
- California judge orders a statewide halt to use of pesticide harmful to honeybeesby Jim Germond on December 7, 2021 at 11:19 pm
Judge orders a halt to use in California of sulfoxaflor, a pesticide that kills insects...
- Scientists join Swiss hunger strike to raise climate alarmby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:54 pm
Disappointment with COP26 is driving climate activists and researchers to seek ways to speed action outside the United Nations process to slow global warming.
- Embracing a wetter future, the Dutch turn to floating homesby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:54 pm
Faced with worsening floods and a shortage of housing, the Netherlands is seeing growing interest in floating homes. These floating communities are inspiring […]
- In Mexico, rebellion seeds revival of a forest - and a communityby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:42 pm
In 2011, the women of Cherán led an uprising against illegal logging. Now, the Indigenous community is thriving.
- EPA fails to regulate chemicals that disrupt sexual developmentby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:24 pm
The EPA said that it would begin monitoring for DINP, a phthalate that causes birth defects and cancer, more than 20 years ago. It still hasn’t.
- Ongoing Klamath Basin water conflict fueled by climate change and racismby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:17 pm
Fish have a sacred role for the Klamath Tribes in the Klamath Basin. An 1864 treaty gives tribes the "exclusive right of taking fish in the streams and […]
- Social justice and labor rights activists are protesting a major Houston energy conferenceby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:17 pm
As leaders from the biggest oil and gas companies gather in Houston for the World Petroleum Congress, others took to the park outside the convention to demand […]
- Climate change will cost Ontario billions, fiscal watchdog warnsby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 10:10 pm
Climate change will mean billions of dollars in additional annual infrastructure costs for future Ontario governments, the province’s fiscal watchdog […]
- ‘Black Box’ in Australia to record climate crisis for future generationsby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 9:57 pm
An "indestructible" storage device will record humanity’s handling of the climate change crisis in an effort to hold the world accountable.
- What is regenerative agriculture and how can it help stem climate change?by Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 9:49 pm
From policymakers to farmers and food companies, regenerative agriculture is being hailed as an alternative for food production with lower environmental […]
- Wildfires emitted equivalent of half of EU's annual CO2 emissions last yearby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 9:45 pm
Wildfires blazed around the world this summer, and released a record amount of carbon dioxide - equivalent to roughly half the EU’s total carbon […]
- How oceans impact climate changeby Megan McLaughlin on December 7, 2021 at 9:44 pm
For the first time, oceans have been formally included in UN climate change negotiation processes, but what’s been announced and why is it a big deal?
- ‘Disastrous’ plastic use in farming threatens food safety – UNby Damian Carrington Environment editor on December 7, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Food and Agriculture Organization says most plastics are burned, buried or lost after useThe “disastrous” way in which plastic is used in farming […]
- How arable farming sows the seeds of river pollution | Letterby Letters on December 6, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Prof John Boardman on the reasons behind the poor state of Britain’s rivers You rightly focus on the poor state of our rivers in terms of nitrates, […]
- Reward Increased to $36,000 for Info on Fatal Poisoning of Eight Gray Wolves in Eastern Oregonon December 6, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Lawsuit Challenges Idaho Wolf Trapping Laws That Endanger Grizzlies, Lynxon December 6, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Dieselgate: British car buyers’ claim against VW reaches high courtby Rob Davies on December 5, 2021 at 4:19 pm
91,000 seek compensation after finding their cars emit more air pollutant than the company saidVolkswagen deceived British car buyers by falsifying the green […]
- Recycled regatta: world heritage site highlights plastic pollution crisisby Anne Pinto-Rodrigues on December 3, 2021 at 7:00 am
When environmentalists on a Seychelles atoll decided to race boats made from ocean litter, they had 500 tonnes to pick from• Photographs: Anna […]
- How better air could save tens of thousands of lives a year in UKby Gary Fuller on December 3, 2021 at 6:00 am
Studies show implementing WHO air guidelines would have drastic impact on health outcomesImproving the air that we breathe is an opportunity for our […]
- Federal Process Could Reopen Vacant Hammond Grazing Allotments in Oregonon December 3, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Biden Administration Moves to Withdraw Trump-Era Pipeline Approval for Cadiz’s California Desert Water Grabon December 3, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Sex ratio of babies linked to pollution and poverty indicatorsby Damian Carrington Environment editor on December 2, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Study finds some pollutants are correlated with higher levels of boys and others with more girlsA swathe of pollutants and indicators of poverty have been […]
- Ecuador's Highest Court Enforces Constitutional ‘Rights of Nature’ to Safeguard Los Cedros Protected Foreston December 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Legal Petition Demands Federal Government Use Buying Power for Climate Gainson December 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- La Corte Constitucional de Ecuador hace valer los “Derechos de la Naturaleza” constitucionales para salvaguardar el Bosque Protector Los Cedroson December 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Atlantic Humpback Dolphin Takes Step Toward Endangered Species Act Protectionon December 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Records Sought on Climate Failure of Biden Oil, Gas Reviewon December 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- $26,000 Reward Offered for Info on Fatal Poisoning of 8 Gray Wolves in Eastern Oregonon December 2, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Legal Motion Defends Rejection of Harmful Southern California Developmenton December 1, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Agreement Reached to Conduct New Status Review of California Spotted Owlson November 30, 2021 at 12:00 am
- Deadline Today: Will Nations Lose Access to U.S. Seafood Market?on November 30, 2021 at 12:00 am
- UK farmers may have to cut livestock count to save rivers, says expertby Tom Levitt on November 29, 2021 at 5:01 pm
Overload of chicken and dairy cow manure has left some catchments critical, says author of book on issueUK farmers may have to reduce the number of animals […]