President Obama’s environmental record just went big. On
August 26, he quadrupled the size of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National
Monument in the center of the Pacific Ocean, northwest of Hawaii. Whatever other
conservation actions he takes in his final months in office, Papahānaumokuākea
will be hard to top.
The new monument is also outsized in the interrelated issues
that it will address – and generate. In Papahānaumokuākea, biology, politics
and policy converge and collide in revelatory ways.
Finally, the creation of this monument illustrates how
diverse community interests can work together to protect important marine
habitats around the world.
• California has long tried to be a leader in cutting carbon
emissions, but its new goal will require some radical shifts to the state’s
economy. (Vox)
• After an investigation prompted by reporting by the
Oregonian/Oregon Live, an energy consultant on a $24 million solar project at
two Oregon universities has been charged with forgery. (Oregonian).
This monument expansion is supported by native Hawaiians,
fishermen, non-profit and religious organizations, community groups and
scientists, among others. Drawing on their shared interest in the ecological,
cultural and historical values of the area, these groups have focused national
attention on the importance of protecting this area—and built the broad
community support that will be important to implementing the new monument
protections effectively in the years to come.
“In these times of increasing global threats to our natural
and cultural resources, globally significant action will preserve our
heritage,” wrote Ige, “for our keiki and our collective future.”
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