Latest news with #EarthDay2025
Boston Globe
12-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Boston's Vivien Li is feted for a lifetime of environmental work
Li's career as an environmentalist essentially spans the length of the modern environmental movement: She got started 55 years ago, around the same time as the first Earth Day, when Richard Nixon was president. As a teenager, she helped organize 'nocturnal ecologists' to surreptitiously clean up litter at night around her New Jersey community, and stayed engaged while attending Barnard College in the 1970s. Advertisement Now, Li's contributions are being recognized through the publication of UC Berkeley , and by the awarding of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy . Li is on a speaking tour of sorts, tied into the Bancroft Library project and Earth Day 2025 (April 22), that includes stops at the Boston Public Library and Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce . Li led The Boston Harbor Association (now Boston Harbor Now ) for more than 20 years, taking over the nonprofit in 1991 and helping it out of a financial crisis. Her most visible claim to fame could be the 40-plus mile Harborwalk along Boston's waterfront. At the chamber event last month, she talked about how early help from waterfront developers such as John Drew and the late Norman Leventhal turned out to prove crucial to its completion. Her first decade with the association also coincided with the multibillion-dollar cleanup of the harbor. Advertisement Li left Boston in 2015 to take on a similar role with Riverlife in Pittsburgh, and returned to Boston nearly three years later to help with older family members who had health issues. She's retired now, though busy with several nonprofit boards and commissions — and with sharing advice for the next generation of advocates. 'Even in these difficult times, I'm optimistic,' Li said. 'Who knows? Maybe we'll bring back 'nocturnal ecologists.'' Senate President Karen Spilka, seen here with Governor Maura Healey (at right), wants to offer a tax break to help get multifamily residential projects off the ground. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff Giving 'em a break Could a sales tax break help reignite stalled housing construction? Senate President Karen Spilka sure hopes so. Speaking at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Spilka announced the Senate will explore removing the sales tax on construction materials for multifamily projects. Spilka mentioned it in the context of how Trump administration Chamber chief executive Jim Rooney praised the sales tax idea in a Q&A with Spilka after her speech. Housing production right now, he said, is flat at best, and Governor Maura Healey has said the Senator Julian Cyr , Spilka's point person on housing issues, said he'll push an amendment to the Senate's proposed state budget that calls for studying the issue; the legislation would then need to be approved by the House in upcoming negotiations. Advertisement The concept surfaced 'We need to be creative,' Spilka said told the chamber. 'Nothing is off the table here.' Warren Buffett and Eliot Tatelman both recently made retirement announcements. handout Not just a store As the omnipresent pitchman for Jordan's Furniture , Eliot Tatelman is a tough act to follow. But MullenLowe US chief executive Frank Cartagena sounds eager to try. No, we won't see Cartagena's face in Jordan's commercials. Instead, MullenLowe announced it will be the first ad agency of record for the Dedham-based chain, following several decades when its often-quirky advertising was handled largely in-house. MullenLowe's hiring comes as the Berkshire Hathaway -owned furniture chain girds for life without Tatelman at the forefront. Josh Tatelman and Michael Tatelman , took over but will not appear in ads like their dad. (Coincidentally, Berkshire Hathaway chief executive Warren Buffett just made It was an account that everyone in MullenLowe's Boston office wanted a part of, Cartagena said. Cartagena is based in New York, but he grew up in Bolton and is all too familiar with the Jordan's shtick: As a kid, his parents dragged him along for furniture shopping to a Jordan's store with the promise of watching an IMAX movie there. 'I knew that if we won this, everyone is going to go out to make sure it's a success,' Cartagena said. It's unclear how much longer Tatelman will appear in Jordan's ads. MullenLowe is still figuring out the best way to transition into the new era. Advertisement 'The last thing we want to do is just go dark on Eliot,' Cartagena said. 'I think you would have a mutiny in New England.' Mark Barrocas, chief executive of SharkNinja, has been on a mission to move his US-bound manufacturing work out of China. Jon Chomitz/via SharkNinja SharkNinja cleans up its China work In the consumer products industry, moving your supply chain out of China is all the rage — and for good reason, given the Trump administration's approach to tariffs Good thing for Investors responded, sending the stock up nearly 13 percent in one day. (Shares soared again on Monday after a tentative deal on China tariffs was announced, though they're still short of their levels in February.) All of SharkNinja's US-bound products were once made in China. Within two months, that will be down to 13 percent, and close to zero by year's end. The company began diversifying its supply chain in large part because of China tariffs under Trump 1.0. 'It was not fully understood by investors the competitive advantage we were building by [moving] outside of China,' Barrocas said in an interview Thursday. 'It wasn't like we just woke up on April 2 and said, 'We have to move out of China.' ' Julie Kim, pictured in this 2023 photo, will take over as CEO of Takeda in mid-2026. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Heads down in crazy times Julie Kim is due to be promoted to chief executive of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. next year. First, though, the head of the Japanese drugmaker's US operations had some business advice to share with the hometown crowd. Advertisement Speaking on Thursday at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts annual meeting, Kim offered tips and tactics for navigating uncertain times. Judging from recent surveys of AIM members, the crowd could use some cheering up: Kim said several biopharma-specific executive orders have added to the general apprehensiveness around her industry, along with the broader 'global uncertainty.' (Earlier in the day, for example, Kim spoke on an earnings call about the anticipated impact from one order Trump ended up signing on Monday, The key, Kim said, is to stay focused on your own personal mission, as well as your company's. 'We're in a moment where [the] landscape is shifting at such a dizzying pace due to both positive and negative forces,' Kim said. 'Some days, at least for me, it feels hard to steady ourselves.' She said executives have managed through disruption before. They can do it again. She likened the need to stay focused to the act of putting on noise-canceling earbuds when traveling. 'It may feel like we're on that noisy plane right now,' Kim said. 'There are distractions coming from every direction. [But] we can't be a pinball in a pinball machine being whacked around responding to every single stimulus.' Jon Chesto can be reached at
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Optimising heat control: Asia's data centres face AI's energy challenge
THE Asia-Pacific (Apac) region is rapidly emerging as a global leader in data centre expansion, driven by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives. Apac's prominence in data centre growth can be attributed to the region's rapid digitalisation, expanding internet user base, and supportive government policies. In fact, according to IDC's report 'Datacentre IT Power Capacity in Asia/Pacific to Reach 94.4 Gigawatts in 2028', the installed data centre power capacity in Asia-Pacific (APAC) is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.2%, reaching 94.4 gigawatts by 2028. This surge underscores the region's pivotal role in the digital economy. However, this rapid growth presents significant challenges, particularly concerning environmental responsibility. Data centres are substantial consumers of energy, and their expansion amplifies concerns about power consumption and carbon emissions. The increasing demand for high-performance computing necessitates that data centres scale efficiently while implementing strategies to mitigate their environmental impact The sustainability paradox: Growth versus Impact As the world recently celebrated Earth Day 2025, attention was turning to industries with significant energy footprints. With expansion comes urgency. As APAC markets such as China (China's Road to Net Zero: Reshape the Country and the World), India (Understanding the Future of Net Zero Carbon in India), and Singapore (Our Global Commitment to Climate Change and Sustainable Development) push towards net-zero commitments, the data centre industry must rethink its cooling and energy efficiency strategies to enable growth without exacerbating existing climate challenges. While energy consumption has long been a concern, water usage is now emerging as an equally critical issue. Many of the region's fastest-growing data centre markets—such as Australia (Potential for Historically Unprecedented Australian Droughts from Natural Variability and Climate Change), Malaysia (Can Johor's US$1.1 Billion Plan Help It Stop Relying on Singapore for Treated Water by 2030?), and the Philippines (11 Million Families in the Philippines Facing Water Crisis)—are already grappling with water scarcity, making traditional cooling methods increasingly unsustainable in the long term. The way data centres are powered and cooled in the coming years will define the industry's environmental footprint. As corporate responsibility expectations rise, companies must adopt more innovative and efficient cooling solutions to reduce energy consumption without compromising performance. Rethinking cooling: The key to more responsible data cente With AI workloads driving unprecedented power densities, traditional air-cooling methods are reaching their limits. The industry must now embrace next-generation cooling solutions that improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Signaling the increased importance placed on new cooling solutions technology, liquid cooling is emerging as a leading solution as AI workloads exceed the capabilities of conventional air-cooled systems. ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Philippines (STT GDC Philippines), together with Vertiv and Novare Technologies, unveiled the country's first liquid cooling technology showroom, offering visitors a hands-on look at how these advanced systems can enhance both energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. In fact, Singapore's first tropical data centre testbed- Vertiv Supports Singapore's First Tropical Data Centre Testbed with Energy-Efficient Cooling Technologies - offers a glimpse into how operators can address cooling challenges unique to Asia's climate. The use of energy-efficient technologies in this environment demonstrates the potential for alternative approaches that balance thermal management with environmental impact. As AI-driven workloads increase, such innovations will be critical to ensuring data centres remain both high-performing and environmentally responsible. One solution gaining attention is direct-to-chip immersion cooling. These approaches significantly enhance thermal dissipation, reducing the energy required to keep processors at optimal operating temperature while improving performance. Industry leaders like Vertiv and Oxigen: Building Data Centres for the Future are already deploying liquid-cooled data centres, setting new efficiency benchmarks. Beyond liquid cooling, other technologies are reshaping how the industry approaches responsible thermal management. Chilled water systems using low-GWP refrigerants are improving efficiency while minimising environmental harm. Heat reuse and energy recycling are also gaining traction, with excess heat being repurposed for applications such as industrial processes and domestic water heating (Redefining Efficiency: How and Why Data Centres Are Embracing Heat Reuse). Meanwhile, hybrid cooling ecosystems - which combine renewable and conventional energy sources - offer operators a more flexible and resilient path to cooling optimisation. The future of more responsible data centres As AI continues to drive data centre expansion, the industry must prioritise long-term impact and rethink how facilities are designed and operated. AI-driven cooling systems are becoming smarter and more efficient. By adjusting in real time to changing workloads, they help reduce energy waste and improve overall performance. At the same time, data centre infrastructure is being reimagined for greater efficiency. According to reports Prefabricated Modular Data centre Report–2023, operators are increasingly adopting modular, prefabricated designs that allow for faster deployment, better energy performance, and a smaller environmental footprint. Many of these next-generation facilities are integrating heat recovery systems, low-emission cooling technologies, and resource management—ensuring that digital growth can scale responsibly. Powering a more responsible digital future The choices made today will determine the long-term impact of data centres. As digital infrastructure continues to grow, businesses must act decisively to reduce their environmental footprint while meeting the increasing demands of AI and high-performance computing. By adopting next-generation cooling solutions, integrating AI-driven efficiencies, and embracing alternative energy, data centres can continue to scale without compromising environmental impact. The challenge is significant - but so is the opportunity to lead the global energy transition and, ensuring that scalability does not come at the cost of the planet. This article is contributed by Vertiv Asia vice-president Paul Churchill.
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
Almost half of South Lanarkshire primary schools have solar panels
Primary schools across South Lanarkshire are now benefitting from renewable energy technology. As part of the council's commitment to combating climate change and making the area more sustainable, it has been advancing the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels across the school estate with almost half of primaries already seeing the benefits. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, offering a clean, renewable source of power that can lower bills and reduce carbon emissions, embodying the theme of Earth Day 2025 – Our Power, Our Planet Craigbank Primary School is one of the schools already taking a step in the right direction towards a sustainable future with 120 panels now installed on the roof of the school building which is estimated to be able to generate almost 40,000 kWh of electricity a year – enough to heat and light 15 average-sized homes annually. And Craigbank is not alone in adopting renewable energy technology as almost half of the council-run primary schools across South Lanarkshire now have PV panels installed, producing an estimated 1.5M kWh each year, helping to significantly reduce the council's carbon emissions. David Booth, executive director of Community and Enterprise Resources, said: 'The increased installation of solar panels across the school estate marks more than just a shift to renewable energy – it's a celebration of local skill and forward-thinking investment. 'The panels are installed in-house by electricians employed by the council, who were upskilled to meet the growing demand for solar technology. 'This is yet another great example of the council's forward thinking to ensure that we meet the sustainability needs set out in the council's Sustainable Development and Climate Change strategy.' * Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Daily Tribune
24-04-2025
- General
- Daily Tribune
New Horizon School Celebrates Earth Day
New Horizon School marked Earth Day 2025 with a vibrant celebration dedicated to nurturing environmental consciousness among its students. The day began with a special assembly by the students of Grade 7 where students presented thought-provoking speeches, skits, and songs highlighting the urgency of climate action. One of the highlights was the 'Planting with Tiny Hands' initiative, where young students joyfully planted saplings, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. In addition, the campus buzzed with creativity as students engaged in clay modelling and drawing competitions centered on the Earth Day theme 'The enthusiasm and wonder in our students' eyes today remind us that education goes beyond books—it's about nurturing compassion for our planet,' said Vandana Sateesh, Principal of New Horizon School. The event concluded with a pledge from the students to adopt eco-friendly habits and become ambassadors of change.
Daily Express
24-04-2025
- General
- Daily Express
60,000 saplings planted in Tuaran, 8,800 Liposus make MBR entry
Published on: Thursday, April 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Apr 24, 2025 By: R Gonzales Text Size: Huang (fight, left) with other guests at the event. Tuaran: Over 60,000 saplings were successfully planted across the district during the Tuaran Earth Day 2025 celebration, marking a significant environmental milestone, here, Tuesday. The event, officiated by Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Sri Huang Tiong Sii, highlighted strong community participation in achieving this green initiative. 'This celebration demonstrates our commitment to environmental awareness and aligns with the government's 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign (2021-2025),' said Huang during his keynote address at the Sabah Co-Curricular Centre in the Malangang Kiulu Camp. The programme engaged students from 88 Tuaran schools, fostering environmental stewardship among youths. Tuaran Member of Parliament cum Programme Chair Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau emphasised the event's practical impact. 'We are planting traditional species like Baccaurea lanceolata (Liposu) that combat soil erosion and reduce flood risks, growing hope for a sustainable future,' he said. The day made history with 8,800 Liposu saplings earning recognition in The Malaysia Book of Records, presented by Chief Executive Officer Christopher Wong to Tuaran District Education Office and Sabah Environment Department. The collaborative effort involved various government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions and local communities. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
