Latest news with #AshleyCooper
CBS News
19-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Bond proposal aims to replace decades-old Livonia library
If you've been to the Bennett Library in Livonia, Michigan, you might notice not much has changed since it first opened in the mid-1980s. While the city could spend more to keep the building around for a few more decades, it's exploring ways to build a new one that would bring it into the 21st century. There are talks about funding a brand new library with an upcoming bond vote in August. "We typically go to Redford Library because they just did this big renovation and the kids love it so much," said Livonia resident Ashley Cooper. Even though Cooper grew up going to the local library and even lives closer to it, her kids prefer the newer one down the road in Redford. "They also have tunnels and a play section where they have a turf. They even have a rock-climbing wall, and it's pretty cool. It's all decorated," she said. Cooper says libraries do much more now than when she was a kid growing up in Livonia, and those working here agree. Unfortunately, they can only do so much with the building designed more than 40 years ago. "Just walking around and trying to find an outlet to plug in your device is going to be very challenging," said Livonia library director Kristen Edson. Those challenges keep them from being able to evolve with the community they serve, according to Edson. "Things like podcasting studios, 3D printers, laser printers that requires a lot of power in a specific room. You need ventilation that's appropriate for the space as well," she said. From an engineering point of view, a new building might be a better option than trying to improve the current one. "You're going to spend a lot of money making it passable, but for a little more money, you get something that's a little more compliant to exactly what you want it to be," said assistant City of Livonia engineer David Lear. A bond vote on August 5th could make that a reality. If it passes, Livonia taxpayers could see an average increase of roughly $12 per month to fund the $150-million bond over the next 25 years. In return, they would get a new library, a new police headquarters, upgrades to several fire stations, and more. The city already has ideas to combine the potential new library with a new city hall building, but they want to hear from residents about exactly what goes in it. You can tell them what you think during an open house they're planning for June, with that big vote once again happening on Aug. 5.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'DoorDash Dale' community unites in support of Vietnam Veteran
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) — A chance encounter with a handicapped DoorDash driver leads to an outpouring of support from the community. 'We ordered DoorDash and I got a notification that our order had been delivered, so I opened the door and there's no order and I was like, OK.' says Ashley Cooper, 'Well then I see a little white car in the driveway in the parking area and I see a little man trying to get out with a cane.' That man was Dale Culbreath. He is a 76-year-old Vietnam veteran, and despite the fact that he is handicapped and needs a cane or a walker to get around, he works as a DoorDash driver. 'Once I got inside, I just was trying to figure out is he DoorDashing because he wants to, or is he Doordashing because he has to' says Ashley. It had in fact not been a part of dale's plan to start DoorDashing. Before going back to work he had actually been in college. 'I was one subject away from graduating when I decided to quit. I really felt that that I needed to do it right away because I knew my health was failing on me.' says Dale. Ashley did not know Dale's story but her encounter with him left an impression. She took to social media asking if anyone else had seen 'DoorDash Dale'. Eventually word got back around to dale that she had been looking for him. So he left her a letter, thanking her for the tip she had given him and telling her a little about himself. 'That I was a veteran, and that I was a Christian, and then I was handicapped, and that I wasn't a wealthy person,' says Dale, 'and the reason that I was still DoorDashing was to pay for a funeral.' Texarkana wants to be a friendly place for the film industry 'Once I read it and processed it I was like, okay, I'm gonna help him pay for his funeral,' says Ashley. Ashley created a GoFundMe page and spread the word about Dale's story on social media. In response, the community donated over $17,000 in just a few short weeks. 'Whenever I did it, I did it for him and I thought, we'll just get these services paid for, but now I've got a friend for life. He texts me every morning if I haven't heard from him he texts me in the evening and so it's been really nice to gain a friend through this because I'm really just a stranger from the Internet..' says Ashley. She says that she has been working with GoFundMe, a lawyer, and a banker to ensure that the money donated is put into a trust for Dale. You can find a link to the GoFundMe page here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Climate Risk Is Not About Politics, It's About Economics
(Photo by Ashley Cooper/Corbis via Getty Images) Conversations about climate change are often drowned in politics or pitched as social responsibility. But in boardrooms and markets, the idea that climate risk is abstract or optional is quickly unravelling. It's already hitting earnings, bonds, and balance sheets, through damaged infrastructure, supply shocks, and soaring insurance costs. "This is not a 2100 conversation anymore,' said Tom Sabbatelli-Goodyer, Vice President of Climate Risk at FIS in an interview. 'It's happening now—and the question is how bad it's going to get." In 2024, global average temperatures breached the 1.5°C threshold for the first time—a milestone once seen as a line not to cross. Even if temperatures dip slightly below that level in coming years, the trajectory is clear, and so are the consequences. Extreme weather is not just an environmental issue—it's an economic one. Their ripple effects on trade, agriculture, and supply chains are driving up prices and destabilizing markets. Take the Panama Canal, where drought reduced traffic by 35%, affecting 5% of global trade. In Europe, droughts along the Rhine River impeded shipping and raised transport costs, while heatwaves in Southern Europe slashed crop yields—most notably olive oil in Spain—fueling inflation across the EU. These aren't hypotheticals, they're inflationary shocks that are directly impacting businesses and households. In an already volatile political and economic climate, climate-driven inflation exacerbates instability. With trust in institutions declining and living costs rising, the risk of social unrest and populist backlash increases—adding further complexity to monetary and fiscal policy. Governments, constrained by budgets, are less able to absorb shocks. Meanwhile, central banks are stuck navigating between fighting inflation and avoiding recession. In this context, climate change doesn't just affect the environment—it undermines global financial stability. From 1980 through early 2025, the U.S. alone faced over 400 weather-related disasters exceeding $1 billion in damage each, totaling more than $2.9 trillion in losses, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA). The pace is accelerating: while the 1980s saw an average of nine such events annually, that number jumped to 23 per year from 2020–2024. Estimates suggest that climate change could cost the global economy $3-6 trillion or 2-3% of global GDP, with impacts in every country, exceeding 20% of GDP in some. Yet we are already significantly off track for the 1.5°C goal under the Paris Agreement and Morgan Stanley analysts are already projecting a 3°C world—a future that feels less theoretical as today's soaring insurance costs already reflect the rising toll of extreme weather. In 2024 alone, the U.S. experienced 27 billion-dollar climate disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires, and severe storms—making it the fourth-costliest year on record. Even if the U.S. government chooses to defund climate research or roll back policy, that won't change the actuarial tables. "Insurance companies still need to price risk," says Sabbatelli-Goodyer. 'And they're not going to ignore what it means for their bottom line.' The insurance industry is already retreating from high-risk areas like Florida and California. 'There are already places where insurers have pulled out,' Sabbatelli-Goodyer warns. 'If companies don't understand that exposure, they're in for a shock.' In April 2025, the Trump administration reignited its push to slash funding to the NOAA, a leader in global climate science. Such cuts could undermine the nation's ability to monitor and prepare for climate threats. But ignoring risk doesn't make it go away. It only increases our vulnerability. The International Monetary Fund echoed this warning in its latest World Economic Outlook, noting that global supply chains magnify disruptions and create 'large multiplier effects.' Climate shocks—wildfires, floods, droughts—act as accelerants in an already fragile system. Average climate-related losses are projected to double over the next 25 years, with half of that increase tied to the growing value of exposed assets. According to Swiss Re, insured losses alone could double within the next decade. As these inflationary pressures mount, understanding the nature of climate risk becomes critical—not just for policymakers, but for businesses, investors, and insurers navigating an increasingly uncertain world. Climate risk breaks down into two major categories: physical risks and transition risks. Physical risks encompass both acute shocks—like storms, floods, and wildfires—and longer-term stresses such as sea-level rise or chronic heat. Transition risks, on the other hand, stem from the policy and economic shifts required to move toward a low-carbon future. While essential for long-term resilience, these shifts—like carbon pricing or stricter environmental regulations—can drive up short-term costs, particularly in energy and industrial sectors. Understanding both sides of the climate risk equation is now essential to financial and strategic planning. Even as the ESG backlash grows in the U.S. and the EU delays aspects of its Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the financial implications of climate risk remain unchanged. The IPR Quarterly Forecast Tracker for Q4 2024 and Q1 2025 has just been released, reporting a clear acceleration in global climate policy, with 232 developments recorded—25 of which could significantly influence the pace of climate action. Progress in areas like deforestation in Brazil and increased policy activity in energy and land use signal growing momentum, despite ongoing political uncertainties. While the politics may change, the physics won't. 'Climate risk is a multiplier,' says Sabbatelli-Goodyer. 'It makes all other risks—geopolitical, financial, operational—more volatile and more expensive.' One of the biggest gaps is in how companies measure risk. Most existing models weren't built to handle climate volatility, especially economic ones like DICE (Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy) which is know to underestimate certain risks. Traditional actuarial tools are outdated and inadequate To address this challenge, FIS developed its Climate Risk Financial Modeler, leveraging engineering data from PwC and proprietary financial modeling technology. The tool simulates physical risks—floods, cyclones, heatwaves—and turns those into actionable financial metrics for corporate decision-makers. 'We model across three climate scenarios out to 2100, but we also break it down into five-year increments,' explains Sabbatelli-Goodyer. 'We're not just looking long-term—we're looking at what's happening now.' The model also calculates insurance premium trajectories, helping companies understand not just potential losses but rising costs of coverage. In an era where "uninsurability" is becoming reality, this isn't niche analysis—it's essential risk management. 'Even in a net-zero world,' Sabbatelli-Goodyer warns, 'extreme weather doesn't go away. It's just a question of how much worse it gets.'. That FIS's climate risk operation sits within its Capital Markets division is telling. Climate exposure is no longer confined to sustainability reports—it's showing up in loan portfolios, asset valuations, and market volatility. From stranded real estate assets in flood zones, supply-chain breakdowns affecting corporate bonds, or heat stress reducing labor productivity, the financial fallout is vast. Future iterations of the FIS model will assess impacts such as livestock vulnerability, heat stress on labor, and supply chain disruptions. 'We're working on expanding to areas like solar panel damage from hail, or the financial impact of relocating supply routes,' says Sabbatelli-Goodyer. In this new climate-driven financial era, transparency and resilience aren't just ethical responsibilities—they're strategic imperatives. Climate risk is no longer a speculative concern or a branding issue. It's embedded in financial systems and operational exposure. The smartest firms will integrate it into core business functions—from treasury to operations—not just silo it in ESG or sustainability departments. Because inaction on climate isn't just morally questionable or politically fraught—it's a liability.
Forbes
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Most Brits Back Green Spaces Over New Infrastructure, Survey Finds
Tree planting to absorb C02 emmissions, Geltsdale, Cumbria, UK. (Photo by Ashley Cooper/Construction ... More Photography/Avalon/Getty Images) Almost three quarters of British people believe protecting green spaces should take priority over building new infrastructure, according to a new survey. The survey of more than 2,000 people for the search engine Ecosia found just 15% of respondents think building infrastructure is more important for economic and social development. Nearly half (47%) strongly support conservation, while just over a quarter (26%) back green space protection if alternative locations for housing and infrastructure are available The U.K. government published new details of its proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill earlier this month, which includes a commitment to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five fours. As part of the reforms, councils will be ordered to review their 'green belt' boundaries to meet targets by identifying lower quality land that could be built on, which has led some campaigners to question some green spaces will be lost in the push for new homes. The survey also reveals a growing public anxiety about the climate crisis. More than half (55.8%) of respondents said they feel anxious about climate change, with younger generations expressing the highest levels of concern. In addition, over one-third (39%) are worried about how climate change will impact where they live in the future. This concern drastically rises to 58% for those aged 25-34. It also found environmental awareness is rising, with 50% of respondents stating their views on climate issues have become more pronounced. The shift is especially evident among younger voters, with almost two thirds (63%) of both 16 to 24 and 25 to 34-year olds reporting a stronger focus on environmental concerns. Ecosia's head of policy and climate action, Sophie Dembinski said more and more British people want to see the government to protect nature in an interview. Dembinski added the U.K. is one of the most 'nature depleted countries on Earth' and the current government's growth agenda should not come at the cost of the environment. 'There many ways for the government to meet its housing targets, which will not require the destruction of nature,' she told me. Dembinski said there needs to be a 'climate-safe future for housing as well, with more homes insulated properly and more energy efficient. She added the growing sense of anxiety about climate change is not surprising, because it's impact on many people's lives is becoming clearer. 'I think the realities of climate change are coming home to people, whether it is through increased flooding risk or wildfires. Climate change no longer feels like a thing that is really far away anymore,' said Dembinski. 'And there's no business on a dead planet. We can talk about economic growth, but not that's not going to provide a reassuring picture to people who want to see us take climate and nature really seriously.' Shaun Spiers, executive director at Green Alliance, said the U.K. needs many more new homes, better public transport infrastructure and unprecedented investment in clean energy in an email. Spiers added the challenge for U.K. politicians is to get building, but in ways that protect and enhance nature. 'British people are nature lovers, so attacking bats and newts will backfire, and attempting to tear down the planning system usually ends in tears,' said Spiers. 'But when the government works constructively with wider society, we can find sensible solutions, like ensuring communities benefit from hosting electricity infrastructure.' However, the U.K. government did recently announce the first national forest in 30 years, which will be planted from the Cotswolds to the Mendips and create at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland. The Western Forest will be spearheaded by the Forest of Avon, one of England's Community Forests supported by up to £7.5 million of government funding over five years. 'The Western Forest was selected because of its ability to demonstrate a similar scale of ambition, with trees and woods supporting growth and farming while enhancing nature's recovery and access to green space," said National Forest chief executive, John Everitt in a statement.
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Rare ‘blood moon' lunar eclipse lights up the sky in red
A rare ' blood moon ' has risen over much of the world. The phenomenon – more scientifically known as a partial lunar eclipse, where the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon – sees the lunar surface go dark and then turn red. What light is reaching the Moon has been refracted by the Sun's atmosphere, which gives it the deep red colour that has lent it its more dramatic name. Ashley Cooper, from Freshwater in the Isle of Wight, was pleasantly surprised to see the blood moon from a field near his house. 'I didn't actually expect to see anything,' the 31-year-old gardener told the PA news agency. 'I just happened to wake up early, and knowing it was taking place, I looked out and saw it. 'I grabbed my binoculars and headed to a field near my home to watch the eclipse develop. 'It was lovely and clear until just before the moon set, a low haze obscured the moonset.' Astronomer Jake Foster, at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said: 'When the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, the only sunlight that can reach the moon must first pass through the Earth's atmosphere. 'As sunlight enters the atmosphere, different wavelengths (and therefore colours) of light will be scattered and bounced around by differing amounts. Blue light scatters a great deal, which is why our skies are blue. 'Red light is mostly unaffected by the gases of the atmosphere, so it travels all the way through them and out the other side where it can shine on the moon, making it appear red.' The moon started to turn red at around 5.30am and became most visible just before 6.30am. The last total lunar eclipse was in May 2022 when the moon turned completely red.
