Latest news with #Nakagawa
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Microsoft Reports Mixed Progress Toward Ambitious 2030 Carbon Negative Goal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In 2020, Microsoft set an ambitious climate goal to be carbon negative by 2030. Halfway into the decade, the company's latest sustainability report released Thursday shows the software giant has a long way to go to meet that goal but may be starting to bend its emissions curve downward. The report shows the company's total 2024 greenhouse gas output of 15,543,000 metric tons is still about 23 percent higher than its 2020 baseline of comparison. But Microsoft's total annual emissions in 2024 are slightly lower for the first time since the artificial intelligence boom brought a surge in data centers, computing power and energy consumption. The 2024 emissions are roughly 1.4 million metric tons lower than in 2023, and the lowest annual emissions the company has reported since 2021. Microsoft's climate goal to be carbon negative by 2030 means not only eliminating its total emissions but also supporting projects that draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. "We're focused on the long-term goal of meeting our 2030 commitments," a Microsoft spokesperson told Newsweek via email. "The annual reporting process is an important check-in each year to see how we're doing, and it informs our decision-making as we keep working to meet those goals over the next five years." The Microsoft logo in San Francisco, California, May 13, 2025. The Microsoft logo in San Francisco, California, May 13, 2025. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty In a foreword to the report, Microsoft Corporation Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and Chief Sustainability Officer Melanie Nakagawa wrote that "our journey towards being carbon negative is a marathon, not a sprint." They noted that while emissions have been going in the wrong direction since Microsoft made its climate commitments in 2020, the increase has been "modest" compared to the company's revenue growth and far higher energy consumption over that period. Smith and Nakagawa wrote that the company remains "focused on sustained progress towards our 2030 goals." Cloud computing and the explosion of generative AI and large language models have greatly increased energy consumption by the tech sector. If the regional power grid that supplies a data center or tech campus burns fossil fuels to generate electricity, that drives up the company's emissions due to energy use, known as Scope 2 emissions. "We must also bring more carbon-free electricity onto the grids where we operate," Smith and Nakagawa wrote. According to the report, Microsoft used power purchase agreements to contract 19 gigawatts of new renewable energy in 2024 in 16 countries. Microsoft also sought other carbon-free energy sources, including an agreement last September with Constellation Energy that aims to restart an idle reactor at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station in Pennsylvania. A Microsoft spokesperson said the company is "on track to achieve our 2025 target of procuring enough renewable energy to cover 100 percent of our energy consumption." Greenhouse gases that arise from the suppliers and the company's value chain, known as Scope 3 emissions, account for the bulk of Microsoft's CO2 output. According to the report, the company's Scope 3 emissions have grown 26 percent since 2020. Microsoft requires its large-scale suppliers to commit to a transition to 100 percent carbon-free electricity for the goods and services they deliver. The report detailed innovative solutions to reduce emissions from the construction and operation of data centers. Last week, Microsoft announced an agreement with a Massachusetts company called Sublime Systems, which has developed a low-carbon method for cement production. Traditional cement-making methods produce massive amounts of CO2, and the industry is a major global source of emissions. Microsoft's purchase agreement for more than 622,000 tons of low-carbon cement will help the new company ramp up its output. "Microsoft is stepping up as the first customer for our future megaton-scale plant, enabling us to more rapidly build and scale Sublime Cement as a global, enduring solution for clean construction." Sublime Systems CEO and Co-founder Leah Ellis said in a statement.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Moscow event teaches resistance to rising authoritarianism through unity in community
Political Strategist Scot Nakagawa keynoted "United in Community," a Moscow event intended to build community around preserving democracy. One suggestion included building coalitions across ideological differences, and creating unlikely alliances around shared democratic values. (Tracy Simmons/FāVS News) This story was first published by FāVS News on May 17, 2025. Moscow residents gathered Saturday to unite against Christian nationalism, the third such community-building event in seven months. Titled, 'United in Community,' the sold-out event's aim was to bring people together to discuss democracy and the community's future. 'After the first two gatherings, organizers received emails and comments asking 'what can we do?'' said Joann Muneta, chair of the Latah County Human Rights Task Force. Saturday's event aimed to answer that question. 'So I want us to kind of dig in and try to see if we can understand this phenomenon (Christian nationalism), and particularly in the American context, and most importantly, equip you with some strategies to resist it while building the inclusive democracy,' said Political Strategist Scot Nakagawa, who keynoted the event. Nakagawa, who lives in Oregon, co-founded the 22nd Century Initiative, a national strategy center working to resist authoritarianism. He emphasized that Moscow's efforts have significance beyond the city's limits. 'I think that it does have really broad national implications, and what you do here will be resonant throughout the country,' he said. Moscow is home to Christ Church, whose members own about 20% of downtown Moscow's buildings and operate various businesses locally, ranging from construction to restaurants. The church, led by Pastor Doug Wilson, is widely recognized as a significant force within the Christian nationalist movement in the United States. Nakagawa noted that Christ Church and its affiliated congregations represent only 5% of Moscow's population, yet wield disproportionate influence. '… There is this kind of message about minority rule that I think is really resonant with most people in the United States,' he said, adding that many local businesses have been displaced as the church bought buildings and made them unavailable to other enterprises. While Moscow's situation may seem unique, Nakagawa argued it reflects broader trends occurring worldwide. He framed the rise of Christian nationalism as part of a global phenomenon affecting multiple religions, not just an isolated American issue. He cited what scholars call the 'multiple modernities crisis' — the collision between ancient faith traditions and the dislocating forces of globalization, digital information systems and rapid cultural change. These forces, he said, are causing people to feel culturally displaced while driving economic insecurity and inequality worldwide. 'Digital technology has shattered traditional gatekeepers of religious knowledge. Anyone now with a smartphone can claim prophetic authority,' Nakagawa explained, noting how this democratization of religious interpretation has also unleashed authoritarian voices. He described theocratic movements as offering 'promises of restored order' and 'easy answers and divine protection' to people whose traditional communities feel under assault from rapid economic change. Nakagawa outlined several strategies for how to fight theocracy in Moscow. He advocated for building coalitions across ideological differences, and creating unlikely alliances around shared democratic values. He also stressed the importance of local electoral engagement. 'Run candidates for school boards, state legislatures and courts and particularly for small offices,' he said, noting that people in those positions 'can drive transparency and public participation in a way that could restore or build trust in those institutions by making them accountable.' After the keynote, attendees heard from local organizations who are committed to supporting an inclusive region. They were also given a list of these organizations; about 30 groups were listed. The Rev. Mary Jane Miles from the Nez Perce Tribe, and a Presbyterian pastor, addressed the gathering about overcoming division through understanding rather than contempt. Miles, who recently stepped down from the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee after turning 85, shared her perspective on battling hatred with a different approach. 'Contempt is no match for love,' she said. Miles emphasized that practicing kindness can become transformative. 'It's hard to be nice if I hate you, but once you get into the practice of being nice, it grows on you,' she told the audience. She also highlighted gratitude as a powerful tool for change. 'Gratitude is a contempt killer. The key to being nicer and happier is gratitude,' she said. Miles connected this message to the broader American promise, saying, 'We are always promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I love that pursuit of happiness, and that's what we are doing here. We want to go back to the pursuit of happiness and have a happy life together with each other.' After hearing from Miles and other supporters, attendees dispersed into breakout sessions, including 'addressing theocracy,' 'supporting public schools,' and 'finding common ground.' FāVS was not permitted to attend these sessions, so that guests could have privacy. Dale Gentry, who helped organize the event, said the hope was that through these breakouts, the community could come up with next steps. United in Community was organized by the Latah County Human Rights Task Force and the United Church of Moscow. Saturday's event was a follow up to the United Against Hate Summit in September 2024 and a presentation on Religious Extremism in December 2024. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Neighbor island businesses worry of shipping rate hike, tariffs
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The state Public Utility Commission has been holding public hearings on Young Brothers' request for a 27% rate increase for interisland cargo. 'Young Brothers is here because it is facing financial distress, its current rates were first approved on an emergency basis in August 2020, almost five years ago,' Kris Nakagawa, vice president of external and legal affairs for Young Brothers, told the PUC during the Oahu hearing. Pickleball players battle on the court at Honolulu Open Those emergency rates were a 46% increase due to the pandemic. 'While these current rates carried YB through the pandemic, operating costs for YB, like most other companies, have continued to rise in the past four years. Intrastate or interisland cargo volumes never recovered to pre-pandemic levels and are currently declining further. Without immediate rate relief, YB will not be able to maintain its loans, cover its operating costs, or make the necessary capital investments to ensure safe and reliable service,' he continued. Young Brothers broke down the cost if the 27% increase were approved. 'Currently, the cost to ship a personal medium size car from Honolulu to Maui one way is approximately $334,' Nakagawa said. 'If the commission were to approve YB rate increase, the cost to ship that same vehicle would be approximately $434.'So far, public hearings have been held on Oahu and Hawaii island, with more Oahu businesses backing the shipping company for its reliable service. 'We absolutely support Young Brothers and believe its important for them to be in a financial stable position so they can have that consistency, quality, cadence that they've continued to have that's important for our companies as they move products across the state,' Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up told the PUC. But some think the rate hike shouldn't be passed onto the consumer and a double digit increase is too much. 'When they increase at this level its going to be a disruptive event for most families,' said one phone testifier. 'They're not going to realize the cost of their foods and goods coming into the island will increase at high levels they might not be able to afford.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Written testimony from the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association said it exports flowers and plants across the islands and has only one option to ship a high volume of palletized cargo. They wrote that they strongly oppose the rate hike during a time when businesses have not fully recovered from COVID, and the global situation with tariffs will ripple down to a few industries that can actually survive. 'It's very scary for a lot of businesses because we depend on a lot of imports from China, and we all know the prices are going to go up,' said Tina Yamaki, Retail Merchants of Hawaii president. 3 cases of rare brain disease reported in Oregon And the tariffs could be a double whammy for small businesses, especially on neighbor islands. 'A lot of them are they don't know how they're going to keep their doors open,' Yamaki added. The next PUC public hearing will be on Kauai, on April 14, at 5:30 p.m., at the Lihue State Office Building Conference Room 209. Maui's will be on April 30, at 6:15 p.m. at Puu Kukui Elementary School Cafeteria in Wailuku. And Lanai's will be on May 1, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lanai Senior Center. Molokai's is still to be determined. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Zawya
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson received H.E. Mr. Tsutomu Nakagawa, Ambassador of Japan to the African Union
The Chairperson of the AU Commission received H.E. Mr. Tsutomu Nakagawa, Ambassador of Japan to the African Union, for a productive exchange on strengthening AU–Japan relations. They discussed deepening bilateral cooperation, Japan's continued support to AU, including peace and security efforts, and preparations for the upcoming TICAD Summit. They agreed to establish a high-level policy dialogue mechanism to align Japan's support with the AU's strategic priorities and to identify concrete areas for enhanced collaboration. The Chairperson expressed appreciation for Japan's commitment to multilateralism, its direct support to AU-led initiatives, and longstanding trade and development partnerships with AU Member States. Ambassador Nakagawa conveyed an official invitation from the Government of Japan for the Chairperson to undertake a visit to Japan to further advance the strategic partnership. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
