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PR Newswire

SUSTAINABLE MARKETS INITIATIVE UNVEILS SUPPORT TO COMMONWEALTH MEMBER STATES AT CHOGM

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In support of His Majesty King Charles III’s visits to Australia and Samoa, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), SMI launches further support for Commonwealth Member States

  • Pacific Hub launched in Australia to enhance alignment of industry, finance and country efforts to accelerate delivery on global climate and biodiversity targets.
  • Marine Mangrove Sanctuary launched in partnership with SpaceX and Rotary International in Samoa to restore mangrove ecosystems, mitigate sea level rise, increase community connectivity and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
  • Private Sector Training Programme for government officials extended to enhance public-private partnerships and project delivery in the Commonwealth.
  • SMI’s Impact Accelerator, along with a recommendation to establish High-Level Climate Investment Authorities, launched to provide end-to-end support for governments to develop industry partnerships and investment ready projects aligned with sustainable transition. 
  • The SMI’s Nature-Risk Tool, developed by AECOM, has been made available to all Commonwealth member states to assist them in assessing Nature-risks associated with physical infrastructure and urban planning.
  • The Natural Capital on African Governments’ Balance Sheets Initiative launched to explore making natural capital assets as a core component of national balance sheets.

APIA, Samoa, Oct. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In the presence of His Majesty King Charles III, as well as leaders from the Commonwealth as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting’s Business Forum, the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) has launched several initiatives to further enhance its commitment and support to Commonwealth Members States.

His Majesty King Charles III, founder of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) when he was The Prince of Wales, during a roundtable organised by the SMI
His Majesty King Charles III, founder of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) when he was The Prince of Wales, during a roundtable organised by the SMI
  • Pacific Hub: Connecting SMI’s global CEOs with CEOs and climate leaders in Australia, the SMI launched its Pacific Hub to enhance alignment of industry, finance and country efforts to accelerate delivery on global climate and biodiversity targets.
  • Marine Mangrove Sanctuary: In collaboration with Rotary International and Space X, the SMI is launching a Marine Mangrove Sanctuary in Samoa to restore and maintain the mangrove ecosystem, mitigating sea level rise and preserving cultural heritage.
  • Private Sector Training Programme: SMI introduces a climate-based training programme for government officials in Commonwealth Member States. This programme will support the delivery of climate and biodiversity-related projects and the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions.
  • Impact Accelerator:  SMI launches its Impact Accelerator for Commonwealth Member States which provides end-to-end support for Governments to develop industry partnerships and investment ready projects aligned with sustainable transition.  The SMI further recommends establishing High-level Climate Investment Authorities within governments to better coordinate and crowd-in private sector support and investment.
  • Nature Risk Tool: SMI’s Nature Risk Tool, developed by AECOM, will now be available to all Commonwealth nations to assess the impact of infrastructure on local biodiversity globally.
  • The Natural Capital on African Governments’ Balance Sheets Initiative was launched as an institutional investor-public partnership, led by the SMI Africa Council. This initiative aims to embed Nature as an investable asset class.

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi M.V.O., CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, emphasised the urgency of these initiatives: “It is an honour to be in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Being welcomed into the community of Nono’a Saleimoa to launch their Mangrove Sanctuary, we saw first-hand how Pacific communities are on the front lines of climate change and biodiversity loss. With future generations in mind, we also saw the passion of community members for restoring harmony with Nature.  The SMI is delighted to bring private sector CEOs together with Commonwealth governments at CHOGM, and through our new Pacific Hub, to accelerate practical, scalable actions that advance a genuinely sustainable future for all.”

Recognizing the importance of biodiversity restoration across the Commonwealth, Dr Hubert Danso, Co-Chair of the SMI Africa Council, highlighted that “Africa’s natural capital forms the backbone not only of our economies, but also of global business models and societies. To protect and expand this value, we must invest at scale in our ecosystems. Through mandate-aligned institutional investor-public partnerships with governments, we can unlock risk and Nature-adjusted returns, that drive benefits for Nature, people and planet.  Through these efforts we aim to demonstrate that what’s good for Africa and the world, can also create sustainable value for investors.”

Pacific Hub

The new SMI Pacific Hub, is the latest addition to the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s regional engagement activities, joining a cohort of five other Hubs and Councils including North America, Africa, China, India, and Greece.  As part of its regional and country approach, the Pacific Hub will provide a forum for CEOs to look more practically at sustainability efforts across industry and finance while exploring how the region’s private sector is actively working with governments to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and biodiversity targets in the region.

Marine Mangrove Sanctuary

The Sustainable Markets Initiative announces the Marine Mangrove Sanctuary in collaboration with Rotary International and SpaceX. The sanctuary in Nono’a Saleimoa, Samoa will restore and maintain the mangrove ecosystem to mitigate the onset of sea level rise.  Starlink will enable project leads to record, in real-time, key data points regarding the progress of the project such as: number of mangrove seedlings planted, growth of seedlings, time spent planting and maintaining the site, and general updates from site visits. The project demonstrates the value of remote access connectivity to support underserved and remote communities across the Commonwealth. The SMI’s partnership with Starlink includes a focus on rapidly scaling support for Nature-capital and post-disaster monitoring.

Government Training Programme

The Sustainable Markets Initiative will now offer Commonwealth Member States access to its highly successful Government Training Programme, which has so far had over 800 participants from over 85 countries register worldwide. The programme has convened subject matter experts from across the public and private sectors along with non-governmental organisations to develop climate-based training that can help support government officials (and others) responsible for delivering and developing climate-related projects and the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

SMI Impact Accelerator and High-Level Climate Investment Authority

The SMI also offers support through its Impact Accelerator.  The private sector is ready to mobilize capital, however to date there is a limited pipeline of “investment-ready” projects. The Sustainable Markets Initiative strives to fill this gap by offering end-to-end support for project development, industry partnerships and capacity building.  Recognizing the urgency and complexity of public-private partnerships for transition, we strongly recommend that High-Level Climate Investment Authorities (HCIA) be established to offer an empowered and coordinated docking point that is focused on private sector partnerships and capital mobilization.  The SMI has a range of guidance available on how to best establish these HCIAs.

SMI Nature Risk Tool

The Sustainable Markets Initiative has recently launched its SMI Nature Risk Tool and is now offering it to all Commonwealth Member States.  The SMI Nature Risk Tool recognizes that infrastructure development often leads to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Powered by AECOM, and using datasets from the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the SMI Nature Risk Tool enables infrastructure investors and promoters to analyse any piece of land globally, providing expert-reviewed descriptions of the location’s habitat and biomes early in the site selection process.

About The Sustainable Markets Initiative

Founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020, then the Prince of Wales, the Sustainable Markets Initiative has become the world’s ‘go-to’ private sector organisation on transition.  Launched in 2021, the Terra Carta serves as the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s mandate with a focus on accelerating positive results for Nature, People and Planet through real economy action.  Complementing the Terra Carta, the Astra Carta was launched in 2023 to support a default sustainable approach to space while leveraging space resources for sustainability on Earth.  Read more: www.sustainable-markets.org

PR Newswire

Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry

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HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hikvision”) announced that 16 of its LED display products received the Green Product Mark certification from TÜV Rheinland—the first in the LED display industry achieving this distinction. Based on the 2 PfG E 0052/06.2024 standard, this certification highlights compliance with stringent environmental criteria. TÜV Rheinland, with over 150 years of history, is a member of the UN Global Compact and the Global Ecolabelling Network, making its certifications widely recognized.

Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry
Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry

The certified products include the CW, BW, and other series, covering various mainstream packaging technologies. They passed comprehensive evaluations in product technical compliance, restricted substances control, carbon footprint, and recyclability. Recognized for outstanding environmental performance and sustainability, these products adhere to high green standards throughout.

Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry
Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry

Hikvision’s LED products strictly follow rigorous environmental standards in material selection and production. By using eco-friendly materials, optimizing designs, implementing intelligent manufacturing, and enforcing strict quality control, the products minimize environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Notably, the casings are made with up to 90% recycled aluminum, and packaging cartons use 100% recycled materials, significantly reducing waste.

Moreover, the new generation of Hikvision’s LED products incorporates three energy-saving technologies: flip-chip packaging, common cathode driving, and intelligent power systems. These innovations significantly reduce carbon emissions, standing out among high-energy-consuming industrial products. They also achieve a remarkable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to environmental features, these LED products maintain industry-leading quality. They utilize proprietary display control systems for stability and safety. Dynamic energy-saving algorithms automatically recognize high-brightness image details and adjust local brightness seamlessly, providing a comfortable viewing experience while enhancing image quality and reducing energy consumption.

Earning the TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark certification underscores Hikvision’s commitment to green and low-carbon production. The company has consistently invested in green innovation, integrating sustainable design concepts like automation, modularization, and recyclability into product development. By focusing on the entire product lifecycle—from raw materials to end-of-life—Hikvision ensures its products meet green requirements throughout.

Looking ahead, Hikvision will continue to embed sustainability into its operations, promoting social responsibility alongside business growth.

More about Hikvision’s LED Products

All raw materials of Hikvision’s LED products undergo strict inspections, including tests for photoelectric parameters, environmental adaptability, electrical properties, stability, dimensional accuracy, material characteristics, and appearance, ensuring quality before production.

By deploying intelligent manufacturing equipment—achieving automatic SMT, assembly, aging, packaging, and warehousing—the entire process is fully automated, effectively preventing quality issues. With bases in Hangzhou and Wuhan, and over 20 automated production lines, annual production of Hikvision LED display screens exceeds 500,000 square meters.

Hikvision operates seven laboratories covering EMC, environmental testing, safety regulations, electrical performance, and more, holding certifications such as CNAS, UL, and CCC. These facilities enable LED products to undergo rigorous tests for temperature impact, salt spray, vibration, dissipation, and waterproofing, ensuring stable and reliable operation in various environments.

For more details and updates, please visit the official website of Hikvision Commercial Displays.

Source: Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

PR Newswire

Acer Commits to Collecting 50 Tons of Plastic Waste From the Environment Through Plastic Bank Partnership

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Editor’s Summary:

  • Acer partners with Plastic Bank for an Impact Program Partnership to collect 50 tons of ocean-bound plastic[1] in 2024 through its community of collectors in Southeast Asia
  • Through this effort, Acer and Plastic Bank will prevent the equivalent of 2.5 million plastic bottles[2] from entering the ocean, tackling the problem of plastic pollution at the source
  • The partnership also provides support to under-developed communities by allowing residents to collect plastic and trade it for income, goods, and services to support their livelihood

TAIPEI, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Echoing this year’s Earth Day theme of “Planet vs Plastics”, Acer has partnered with Plastic Bank and has pledged to collect and recycle at least 50 tons of plastic waste from the environment in 2024. The Canada-based social enterprise focuses on tackling the growing issues of plastic pollution by building recycling ecosystems and creating livelihood opportunities in vulnerable coastal areas.

Acer’s Impact Program Partnership with Plastic Bank is projected to prevent the equivalent of more than 2.5 million plastic bottles[2] from entering the oceans through the efforts of collection members in Southeast Asia. Members bring their collected plastic to Plastic Bank collection branches in exchange for the local market price of the gathered material as well as bonuses that help provide additional income and access to social benefits, like meal vouchers, health insurance, and more.       

Acer’s collaboration with Plastic Bank supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 1 for no poverty, SDG 8 for decent work and economic growth, SDG 12 for responsible consumption and production, SDG 14 for life below water, and SDG 17 for partnership for the goals.

Acer’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals also include adapting 20-30% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic content in computers and displays by 2025 and working towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Acer has been making strides to incorporate PCR versions of the plastic types used in electronic consumer products with its eco-conscious Vero line, and has reinforced its commitment to carbon neutrality with the launch of its first carbon-neutral PC, the Acer Aspire Vero 16, which debuted in December 2023. Acer will continue to evolve with the industry and changing lifestyles by promoting innovative and eco-conscious solutions for the long-term sustainability of its operations and the environment.

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top ICT companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. As Acer evolves with the industry and changing lifestyles, it is focused on enabling a world where hardware, software and services will fuse with one another, creating ecosystems and opening up new possibilities for consumers and businesses alike. Acer’s 7,700 employees are dedicated to the research, design, marketing, sale, and support of products and solutions that break barriers between people and technology. Please visit www.acer.com for more information.

© 2024 Acer Inc. All rights reserved. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and/or service marks, indicated or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by location. Applicable sales tax extra.

PR Newswire

EcoBalance, KazBeef, and rTek Launch Climate Smart Beef Pilot Program at COP28

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DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — EcoBalance Global, a US-based leader in carbon storage projects, Kazbeef, a subsidiary of Yerkin Tatishev’s Kusto Group, and rTek, a Rakurs Consulting Group company, have partnered to launch the first-ever pilot ranch outside the United States that will deliver the world’s first climate smart beef, using carbon insets, backed by 3rd party validation and blockchain technology.

The pilot has been launched at COP28 in Dubai following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the companies. The project will not only enable blockchain transacted environmentally sustainable cattle outside the United States but will also show the world that the livestock and farming industry can be part of the net-zero solution.

The foundation for the KazBeef pilot is EcoBalance Global’s Framework that supports ranches in deploying a specialized rotational grazing program which allows increased carbon capture in the soil, and utilizing machine learning satellite technology to monitor sustainable land management, focusing on accurate carbon accounting. This is backed up by the Framework’s carbon trade and risk management platform to administer all the requirements of the Framework in conjunction with the blockchain.

As part of the program, rTek, a Rakurs Consulting Group company based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, will leverage its expertise in remote sensing and MRV development, particularly in precision agriculture, to support the pilot program.

The 10-year pilot project is expected to demonstrate the world’s first carbon inset beef supply chain. It is scalable, with the goal of using EcoBalance’s Framework as a global standard for sustainable and climate smart beef supply.  

Tellan Steffan, EcoBalance Global said:

“We are delighted to launch the pilot project with the signing of the MoU with our partners at KazBeef and rTek at COP28. This program will enable Kazakh farmers to have the world’s first working carbon storage project on their land that can be scaled and the means to create and market low carbon beef products.

One-third of all human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions, are generated from food systems, and it is hoped that the EcoBalance Framework can offer a comprehensive solution for the reduction of carbon emissions in the agricultural sector and establishing a template that can be scaled globally.” 

Established in 2011, KazBeef has consistently showcased its dedication to environmentally conscious farming practices, while maintaining a high quality operation which includes more than 15,000 heads of cattle and produces more 6,000 tons of beef per annum.

In its partnership with EcoBalance Global, KazBeef has found a partner that is equally focused on the development of pioneering farming methods, driven by a mission to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and provide new revenue for local farmers.

EcoBalance Global’s pilot ranch in North Dakota has created over 18,000 registered soil carbon credits, while simultaneously producing and tracking 900 head of climate smart cattle.

Commenting on KazBeef’s announcement and its participation at COP28, Yerkin Tatishev, the Chairman of Kusto Group, said:

“Kazbeef is a pioneer in environmentally conscious farming and ranching practices.  Through this new partnership, we are leading the way in carbon capture in agriculture thanks to our partnership with EcoBalance Global. It is my hope that our efforts can be a model to many others and I am delighted that this has also been recognised through our participation in Kazakhstan’s pavilion at COP28.

“COP28 offers a unique opportunity to discuss the ongoing transition in global food production and farming, and I am proud that KazBeef will play an integral role in creating a more sustainable future for us all.”

Dosym Kydyrbayev, Managing Partner, Rakurs Consulting Group, said:

“As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of environmental sustainability in Kazakhstan, it’s crucial to recognize the pivotal role of innovative technologies and data-driven approaches. Companies like rTek are at the forefront of this transformation, offering vital solutions in soil sampling, MRV, standards adoption, and QA processes for carbon projects.

To advance Kazakhstan’s decarbonization goals, the private sector must commit to long-term collaboration with governments, local, and international bodies. With this project and others, we aim to support our nation’s ecological goals but also to position Kazakhstan as a leader in climate action and sustainable development.”

About EcoBalance Global

EcoBalance Global is a US based carbon reduction project developer, consultant, and carbon program manager. We utilize our relationships with farmers, ranchers, and landowners to develop projects that biologically enhance their soil, sequester and store carbon, as well as increase vegetative production. We have developed a robust Soil Carbon Sequestration and Storage Framework (Framework) to assist the agriculture industry at large to lower their carbon footprint.  Our Framework employs methodologies and procedures to address the diverse environmental requirements for farms and ranches around the world.

Through our Framework, we can increase carbon removal and storage rates that we are able to certify through a third-party registry and use verified carbon insets in the Framework life cycle analysis process. We facilitate the use of carbon insets tied to products coming from the land (beef, lamb, cereal grains, etc.). The carbon reduced products enter the supply chain where they may be counted towards Science Based Target Initiatives (SBTi) goals resulting in a low or no carbon footprint product that can be directly tied back to the land it came from. Our business delivers a high value-added quality product that rewards the stewards of the resources for excellent management and provides distributors with a product that they can have complete confidence in.

About KazBeef

KazBeef is a vertically integrated group of companies which produce the leading marbled beef in Kazakhstan under the KazBeef brand. The KazBeef brand and operation reflects the concept of ‘from farm to folk’ and KazBeef is leading an ambitious program to transform Kazakhstan’s vast arable land into a global production and export hub for premium beef products.

KazBeef is a part of the Kusto Group, which employs thousands of people in more than nine countries, across industries as diverse as agriculture, construction materials, real estate, and retail. Chaired by Yerkin Tatishev, Kusto Group is leading the way in developing innovative solutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

The company employs over 8,000 staff and has an annual turnover of more than $1bn. In 2013, Kusto Group permanently moved its headquarters from Almaty to Singapore.

About rTek

rTek, a member of Rakurs Consulting Group, has been dedicated to providing sustainable technology solutions in Kazakhstan since 2018.

Their recent focus includes several ongoing natural carbon sequestration projects, involving grasslands, croplands, and afforestation, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. 

Based in Almaty, rTek is not only an active contributor to Kazakhstan’s sustainability landscape but also is represented in key industry organizations through its founders’ roles in the Qazaq Green Association, responsible for a new standard for carbon emissions verification in Kazakhstan. rTek also is an active leader in research projects throughout the country, including several key multi-year studies initiated by ADB, World Bank, FAO, and the Kazakh Government focused on rangeland sustainability and agricultural water management, and precision agriculture technologies.

PR Newswire

Enabling Pathways to a Sustainable Future: KAPSARC’s Active Role at COP28

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — As the world eagerly anticipates the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies & Research Center (KAPSARC) positions itself at the forefront, ready to contribute with invaluable energy expertise and insights to help shape the global discourse on climate strategies and policies.

Enabling Pathways to a Sustainable Future: KAPSARC's Active Role at COP28
Enabling Pathways to a Sustainable Future: KAPSARC’s Active Role at COP28

COP28 signifies a pivotal moment in our collective journey, working to deliver solutions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Agreement goals. With a central focus on global stocktake, mitigation, adaptation and finance the conference aims to provide actionable energy pathways, setting the stage for a resilient and inclusive climate future.

In anticipation of this critical event, KAPSARC’s President Fahad Alajlan expresses the center’s dedication, stating, “As a UNFCCC accredited observer, KAPSARC eagerly joins this year’s COP28, hosting an official side event and additional activities, engaging in panel discussions, and pledging to contribute expertise and insights to global initiatives combating climate challenges.”

KAPSARC’s engagement in COP28 spans across diverse and critical topics, reflecting the center’s commitment to science-backed and data-driven discussions. With over 20 events and contributions from more than 15 experts spanning four critical themes, KAPSARC is poised to actively participate in this important climate dialogue.

Highlighted KAPSARC events at COP28:

Connecting the Dots for the Hydrogen Economy – December 3: Shahid Hasan, Fellow- KAPSARC. Ghassan Wakim, Zero-carbon Fuels Production and Export Director, Clean Air Task Force, Rami Shabaneh, Fellow- KAPSARC.

Decarbonizing Aviation and Maritime Sectors – December 4: Andres Felipe-Guzman, Fellow- KAPSARC, Nora Nezamuddin, Fellow- KAPSARC.

Role of LPG in Enabling the Just & Inclusive Energy Transition – December 5: Fateh Belaid, Fellow- KAPSARC.

Hard-to-abate Sectors in the Energy Transition: Bridging Gaps in Implementation & Enablers – December 6: Fahad Alajlan, President – KAPSARC Fatih Yilmaz, Fellow I- KAPSARC – Mohamad Hejazi, Director Climate & Sustainability – KAPSARC.

Launch of the 2023 Circular Carbon Economy Index – December 9: Fatih Yilmaz, Fellow, KAPSARC.

Satellite Technology for Measuring & Tracking GHG Emissions – December 10: Walid Matar– KAPSARC. Anwar Gasim, KAPSARC, Abdelrahman Muhsen, KAPSARC.

For media inquiries please contact Rami Husseini, rami.husseini@havasme.com, media@kapsarc.org, +966506635580

*About KAPSARC:

KAPSARC is a leading Middle East think tank dedicated to advancing knowledge on energy, environment, and regional economic issues. Accredited observer of UNFCCC, KAPSARC actively contributes to global climate action. The mission of KAPSARC is to advance Saudi Arabia’s energy sector and inform global policies through evidence-based advice and applied research. 

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New Study by Scientists at La Brea Tar Pits Finds Extinction of Ice Age Mammals Linked to Climate Change, Humans, and Fire

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Large-scale wildfires in an ecosystem made fire-prone by climate change caused the disappearance of saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and other large mammals in southern California nearly 13,000 years ago, according to a new study by researchers at La Brea Tar Pits.

Published in the journal Science, the peer-reviewed study breaks new ground in a decades-long scientific debate over what triggered the Earth’s last major extinction. Supported by the precise dating of fossils preserved at La Brea Tar Pits, the research advances our understanding of the dynamics between dramatic environmental change, human population growth, wildfire activity, and the abrupt disappearance of Ice Age megafauna. 

“The significance of this research will resonate for decades well beyond the scientific field,” said Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County. “La Brea Tar Pits is the only place on Earth that has the fossil record necessary to examine the last significant climate change event in this way. The site’s collection of millions of Ice Age fossils provides a unique opportunity to study environmental change. 

The study laid out a disastrous chain of ecological events reconstructed from climate, vegetation, and fire records preserved in the sediments of nearby Lake Elsinore. It started with the gradual warming and drying of the landscape and a simultaneous decline in forest-adapted large herbivores over 2,000 years, as Earth emerged from the last Ice Age and glaciers receded. Then, just as human populations began to sharply increase in North America, the ecosystem underwent a dramatic change: temperatures rose rapidly, a 200-year-long drought parched the landscape, and massive wildfires transformed plant communities. Within 300 years, all the Ice Age giants at La Brea were gone, and California’s modern, fire-adapted chaparral ecosystem had appeared. 

Understanding the relationship between environmental change and human activity is equally important to current-day challenges, the study said. It noted that temperatures in Southern California have risen faster in the last century than they did during the late Pleistocene. Land area burned by wildfire in the western U.S. has increased four-fold in the past 20 years, and this pattern is only predicted to worsen in coming years.

Full press kit 

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Maura Klosterman-Vu
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Kehua’s 700 units of UPS Witness the Successful Conclusion of FISU World University Games

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XIAMEN, China, Aug. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Under the great expectation, the 31st FISU World University Games Summer (Universiade) came to a successful end in Chengdu, Sichuan, the hometown of panda in China. It must be said that the Universiade is like a hot and spicy Sichuan hotpot.

The Universiade, in which all the compulsory sports are Olympic sports, is second only to the Olympic Games in scale, and is known as the “Little Olympics”. Athletes from 113 countries and regions participated in this year’s Universiade.

Kehua provided more than 700 units of MR Series and KR Series UPS for the Games, which were installed in the opening ceremony venues, closing ceremony venues, media centers, important hotels, and other competition venues to ensure smooth power supply for the Games.

Kehua Engineer and MR Series UPS
Kehua Engineer and MR Series UPS

As early as last year, when the equipment arrived in Chengdu, Yang, an engineer from Kehua, participated in the commissioning of the machines; as the tournament approached, he entered the same venues again: “The installation site encountered some difficulties, such as space limitations of the venues, the number of units, and time constraints – but this is not a problem, Kehua carried it! ” In the end, Kehua UPS was as stable as ever during the tournament! The task was successfully accomplished by carrying over the continuous fluctuation and impact of all the sensible equipment in the venue!

Why did the Universiade choose Kehua?

  • Kehua has rich experience in power supply for events, such as the Beijing Winter Olympics and Hangzhou Asian Games..
  • Kehua’s lean supply chain and manufacturing strength provided fast delivery and highly reliable O&M services for the Universiade.
  • The small size and high efficiency of Kehua’s UPS and battery packs meet the demanding installation requirements on site. 

MR33 Series Modular UPS – AI⁺ Power Expert

MR33 Series Modular UPS, adopting advanced three-level technology, realizes highly-reliable and full redundancy design from module to the whole machine, with the advantages of high power density, easy expansion and small footprint. It adopts AI⁺energy-saving, AI⁺prediction, AI⁺health, AI⁺O&M to create a modular UPS that is green and low-carbon, safe and reliable, intelligent and simple, and flexible.

Green and low-carbon games are gradually becoming a trend in organizing world events. The Chengdu Universiade started from low-carbon energy, low-carbon venues, low-carbon transportation, low-carbon operation, low-carbon participation, etc., and took more active low-carbon measures to enrich the connotation of “Green Universiade”.

With an input current harmonic as low as 1.5%, 97% efficiency of double conversion mode, innovative W-ECO mode, intelligent hibernation, and a small footprint, etc. Kehua MR33 Series Modular UPS helps to realize the ” Green Universiade “.

About Kehua

Founded in 1988, Kehua Tech is a world-leading intelligent power management expert, with the commitment to provide cutting-edge solutions in critical power. Based on 35 years’ R&D and manufacturing experience in power electronics, Kehua Tech ranked No.4 in global modular UPS market share in 2021 (Omdia), and received the 2021 Global UPS Competitive Strategy Innovation and Leadership Award (Frost&Sullivan). In the future, we will continue sparing no effort to provide more reliable and sustainable power to the world.

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Chinese scientists: Technology-driven and law-based system key to lake ecosystems, biodiversity protection

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BEIJING, June 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China.org.cn on the role of technologies and laws on the lake ecosystems and biodiversity protection:

“We should integrate our technological resources and build up a sound technological support system, accelerating the building of relevant law & regulation systems for lake protection and management,” Zhang Ganlin, director and researcher of the Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS), notes in an article released by the Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (BCAS, in Chinese), a think tank journal supervised and sponsored by the CAS, which focuses on strategic and decision-making research.

Among important land resources and as key geographical units of land surface systems, lakes(including artificial reservoirs) are important surface water resources, and they are also an important part of the earth surface system consisting of “mountains,rivers, forests, farmland, lakes, grassland and sand,” as Zhang points out in his article “Ecological and Environmental Changes and Protection Measures of Lakes in China.” The article also notes that lakes play an irreplaceable role in water resource supply, flood control and drought alleviation, water quality purification, and biodiversity protection.

Given the important roles and significance of lakes in socio-economic development, the article, based on long-term lake research and monitoring data, proposes the strategies for the protection, management, and restoration in response to the problems faced by lake ecosystems in China.

In recent years, the overall condition of the ecological environment of lakes in our country has been becoming better, and the protection to lakes has achieved remarkable results. For example, the water quality of Poyang Lake, which is located in the eastern plains of China has shown a trend of improvement in recent years, and the annual average concentration of total phosphorus, the main pollutant, has declined slightly. From 2012 to 2020, the inter-annual variation of wetland vegetation biomass in Poyang Lake was flat, and the variation range was relatively small. Since 2012, the importance value of the dominant species of the typical plant communities in Poyang Lake wetland have remained above 0.6, showing a relatively stable community structure and playing an important supporting role in the stability of the ecosystem structure and the maintenance of ecological functions in the lake.

The paper also reveals that for the past decades, China has strengthened ecological conservation and environment protection at all times and in all dimensions and regions. Since 2021, China has achieved initial success in the critical battle against water pollution. Major action plans on addressing water pollution have been fully implemented. Also, the country has redoubled efforts to preserve and restore lake ecosystems and protect biodiversity, with the integrated protection and restoration of various ecosystems and implementation of a series of fundamental, pioneering, and long-term programs.

First, a significant increase can be seen in the total amount of available freshwater resources in lakes. There are 2,670 natural lakes over 1 km2 of area in China, and 98,600 reservoirs with an increase of 10,100 over 2011. Thanks to the lake protection and water quality improvement, the proportion of centralized drinking water sources from lakes and reservoirs across China has increased from 33% to 40% in the past five years, which serves nearly 50% of the population of the country.

Second, the lakes under priority control have reported steady improvement of water quality. For instance, the “three lakes” (the Taihu Lake, Chaohu Lake and Dianchi Lake), have registered significantly checked eutrophication trend. With the increase in the transparency of about 70% of large and medium-sized lakes in China in the past 10 years, the lakes have become clearer overall.

Third, with the restoration of the aquatic vegetation in lakes and the steady rise in the biodiversity of major lakes, the lakes have reported improvement of ecological service functions. This has been approved by the fact that about 43% and 40% showed a significant improvement of aquatic vegetation between 2010-2014 and between 2015-2019, respectively.

However, China still needs to continue with science and technological innovation in lake ecological environment management and protection. There are significant rooms for development of higher level processing materials, key technologies, and equipment, and relevant basic and applied research.

Therefore, Chinese scientists have put forward several key approaches to exploring the paths to high-quality development for lake watersheds with low resource consumption and environmental costs.

Among all the suggestions, the article attaches great importance to building a technology-driven and law-based system, in an effort to protect lake ecosystems and biodiversity in China.

More efforts should be made to set up sound systems in the following areas: performance evaluation and accountability for ecological conservation, compensation for ecological conservation, designation of river and lake managing chiefs. Meanwhile, corresponding laws and regulations should be further formulated or revised.

The article further explains that it is necessary to strengthen the role of technology in supporting the lake-type ecological environment protection, that is to say, to integrate all possible technological resources and build up a sound technological support system, and vigorously promote the technology-based lake manager system to further enhance the scientific management and protection of lakes.

National legislation for lake protection should also be promoted, accelerating the building of relevant law & regulation systems for lake protection and management and improve the mechanism for the alignment between administrative law enforcement and criminal justice in lake watershed protection.

On the institutional level, it is advised to adopt an “ecological bank” model and improve the compensation system for the ecological benefits of lakes.

Chinese scientists: Technology-driven and law-based system key to lake ecosystems, biodiversity protection
http://belt.china.org.cn/2023-06/25/content_89263128.htm 

PR Newswire

Huawei-IUCN Tech4Nature Initiative Announced New Phase of Coral Reef Protection Project

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Digital Technology Helps Mauritius to Become a Global Pioneer in the Field of Coral Reef Conservation, Research, and Education

FLACQ, Mauritius, June 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei Mauritius, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and EcoMode Society today announced a new phase of the Tech4Nature Mauritius project to study species’ reproductive success in a restored area of reef in Mauritius.

The new phase directly follows a key project milestone achieved in June in which the partners, supported by the local community, successfully transplanted 25,000 coral fragments cultivated in coral nurseries to a degraded area of the reef ecosystem in Pointe-aux-Feuilles, a 20-km2 site off the east coast of Mauritius. This project is one of the first its type in the Western Indian Ocean. 

“I commend the achievement of the Tech4Nature initiative. Our objective is that by 2030, we can work together for a healthy ocean that supports nature and people,” said the Honorable Sudheer Maudhoo, Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping for Mauritius. “With the support of the Tech4Nature initiative, Huawei, and its partners, we look forward to continued action to restore ocean and coastal biodiversity for future generations.”

To monitor the mobility of species at the coral reef restoration site and determine the factors that disturb reproductive success, a solution comprising cameras and GPS receivers, 4G, and cloud has been deployed. The second phase of the project will use AI-based data analysis to guide the conservation decisions, support the research of marine biologists, and educate the public on the importance of reef conservation and restoration. 

“The project will help us to have more information to manage and regulate public use,” said Nadeem Nazurally, President of the EcoMode Society. “It will also bring biodiversity conservation closer to the general public, as videos and other dissemination materials are planned through the mobile app. In collaboration with IUCN and Huawei, the project allows us to make a qualitative leap by incorporating new technologies to the monitoring and conservation of species.”

The 243-km2 lagoon created by the 150-km reef system of fringing coral is home to a rich array of aquatic life, including 61 species of macroalgae, 110 species of corals, 132 species of fish, and many endemic species. However, the reef system faces many threats, including overfishing, pollution, and changing seawater composition due to the removal of mangroves and seagrass. Climate change has caused a rise in sea levels, more extreme storms, and increased sea temperatures. Restoration efforts for coral reefs can boost resilience against climate change by protecting coastal regions against erosion and mitigate rising sea levels.

As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Mauritius relies heavily on its coral reef resources, especially its fisheries and tourism industries – tourism accounts for about 8% of the island nation’s GDP and 10% of its employment. Coral aquaculture to repair degraded reef has gained traction in Mauritius, with microfragmentation serving as a relatively new technique where small coral fragments are mounted in off-site nurseries using concrete blocks, galvanized structures, and natural basaltic rocks to support coral growth.

Early monitoring at the restoration site has shown an increase in local biodiversity, and an additional 1,890 coral fragments are currently being propagated in the coral nursery to expand the restoration area. With the site’s designation as a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA), the momentum for revitalizing biodiversity in the reef ecosystem using the power of technology and partnerships is accelerating.

“Collaboration between public institutions and the private sector is increasingly necessary to determine success in the face of complex environmental challenges,” said James Hardcastle, Head of Protected and Conserved Areas Team for IUCN. “We have the opportunity to take advantage of technological innovations and incorporate them into conservation measures for our ecosystems. This project exemplifies how cooperation and mainstreaming are the way forward to halt biodiversity loss.”

“This project is the first of its kind that we are investing in Mauritius, after dozens of successful experiences of developing solutions to protect different species and natural spaces in countries around the world using advanced technologies such as cloud, AI, and connectivity,” said Zheng Kui, CEO of Huawei Mauritius. “The role of the technology industry in meeting this challenge is key, but only through collaboration with strategic and committed partners can the objectives be achieved in a real way.”

It is hoped that this project can be replicated in other areas of Mauritius and balance the needs of tourism and conservation. And with up to 50% of the world’s coral reef already destroyed or degraded, the project’s success to date demonstrates the value of further large-scale global reef restoration supported by digital technology.

Transplanted coral at the restoration site (Image source: N. Nazurally, EcoMode Society)
Transplanted coral at the restoration site (Image source: N. Nazurally, EcoMode Society)

About Huawei TECH4ALL

TECH4ALL is Huawei’s long-term digital inclusion initiative that aims to leave no one behind in the digital world. It focuses on four domains: enabling equity and quality of education, conserving nature with technology, enabling inclusive healthcare, and development.

For more information, please visit the website at https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all

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CGTN: Why China is committed to green development

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BEIJING, June 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Located in the northernmost part of Hebei Province, Saihanba is one of the largest man-made forests in the world.

Covering an area of about 93,000 hectares, Saihanba is home to thousands of species of flora and fauna. Its stunning natural environment attracts flocks of tourists every year.

However, it wasn’t always this way. Traveling back in time to the 1950s, the former royal retreat had become a virtual wasteland as a result of rampant deforestation, which in turn threatened the country’s capital, Beijing, and adjacent regions with harsh and frequent sandstorms.

An epic endeavor began in 1962 to transform the barren wilderness into a green “miracle,” populated by 500 million trees.

Forest coverage has increased from 11.4 percent to 80 percent in six decades. It cleans and purifies some 137 million cubic meters of clean water for residents of Beijing and Tianjin, while absorbing 860,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide and releasing 598,400 tonnes of oxygen.

From infrared radar fire detection and early lightning warning monitoring to forest fire video monitoring and satellite hotspot monitoring, advanced technologies have been adopted to help guard the forest against fire.

“Our system automatically alerts the forest keepers via phones once a lightning bolt approaches the forest with a beyond-standard power,” said Peng Zhijie, director of the Saihanba forest fire prevention office. “We also use drones to patrol the neighboring environment of the forest.”

Thanks to these technologies, the forest has been protected well while benefiting the people. President Xi Jinping praised the green achievements at Saihanba in 2021, saying “the area’s transformation has created a model in the world’s history of ecological progress.”

Respect nature, and benefits will flow

“All beings flourish when they live in harmony and receive nourishment from nature.” This is a Chinese saying from the great thinker Xunzi more than 2,000 years ago, which Xi quoted in a speech delivered at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate via video link from Beijing in April 2021. Saihanba is a vivid example, reflecting how the harmonious development of humans and nature can lead to a greener future.

Xi said, “Mother Nature has nourished us, and we must treat nature as our root, respect it, protect it, and follow its laws. Failure to respect nature or follow its laws will only invite its revenge.”

In 2020, China announced twin goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 to secure sustainable development.

In the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last October, pushing forward green development and the harmonious relationship between man and nature was among the key tasks set for the country’s journey ahead in the next five years.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-06-09/Why-China-is-committed-to-green-development-1kv7VHtXzWg/index.html

yt：
https://youtu.be/IRibUWy1S6g