Month: January 2024

Originally published by TriplePundit

Storytelling is central to sustainability and social impact. Issues like warming temperatures or gender equity gaps may sound complex and difficult to understand. But when communicated through the lens of story — and through the eyes of the people and communities affected by these issues and working to solve them — they take on new meaning for engaged audiences.

Young leaders looking to accelerate their work in this area have a new opportunity to learn how to tell impactful stories. Launched by the nonprofit organization Girl Rising, the Future Rising fellowship selects 10 leaders annually between the ages of 17 and 25 who are working on gender equity and climate justice issues interchangeably. The fellowship provides financial support, a stipend of $5,000, access to networks of advisors and experts, and skills training such as leadership development, storytelling workshops, speaking opportunities, and other professional opportunities.

Girl Rising was established to explore how empowering women and girls with education can combat global poverty, CEO Christina Lowry told TriplePundit. Originally, Girl Rising launched as a film, which later became an organization. Along the way, the founding team kept up with research and trends on girls’ education and consistently discovered girls and women are disproportionately impacted by climate change, Lowry said.

Girls and women are more susceptible to climate-induced disasters

Globally, women represent 43 percent of the agricultural workforce, a rate that grows higher in parts of Asia and Africa. As such, women play a critical role in environmental sustainability and food security. Yet due to a combination of factors such as cultural gender norms, lack of access to education and resources, poverty, and limits on decision making, they are disproportionately impacted by climate disasters. Women are also susceptible to climate-induced exploitation such as organized trafficking because climate disasters uproot local security and safety for women and children, according to the United Nations Environment Program.

“We believe, at this moment in time, it is imperative to hand the mics over to girls and young women for us to be able to elevate the voices of those people, young women and young men who really are on the front lines of this work,” Lowry said. “So, we decided to create a fellowship program.”

During their cohort, Future Rising fellows complete a narrative media project that tells the story of their own work or the work of girls and women within the climate and environmental justice space. Fellows also learn the elements of impactful storytelling and are empowered to develop their own stories to tell.

The Future Rising fellowship teaches effective storytelling strategies and provides access to a global network

Ayomide Solanke is a 2021 Future Rising fellow from Lagos, Nigeria. For her media project, she created a graphic novel that highlights how societal practices and norms such as child marriage affect girls and women and worsen poverty and climate change. The novel has since published locally in Lagos as well as online. “[The fellowship] was an opportunity at the time to be able to see and get my message on a larger and … wider platform,” she said.

Solanke first discovered the fellowship via X, previously known as Twitter, and applied. “My original manuscript was probably maybe 10 pages at most,” she told us. “At the end, I have like 45 to 50 pages.”

During the fellowship, Solanke and her cohort participated in a series of training sessions and workshops to learn more about storytelling. She learned to incorporate the voice of survivors in her story by speaking with them, while navigating the delicate line of not making them feel re-victimized. And the time spent drafting her story taught her how important using easy-to-understand language can be to getting a message across.

“I would say that the Future Rising fellowship helped me not just in my project, [but] also in my work as an activist,” Solanke said. “I’m able to have a wider platform to grow and evolve and meet other people and share my work with people, and also hear, and see what other people are doing and incorporate and collaborate.”

Like Solanke, 2022 fellow Geela Garcia of Manila, Philippines, said the fellowship connected her to a global network of individuals to learn from and engage. “I wanted to be in a diverse community with shared goals and perspectives about people and our home,” she told TriplePundit. “Since the cohort is global, it exposes me to stories and experiences of people from different cultures and parts of the world. The fellowship reminds me that despite our differences, we are similar in wanting to make a safer and more livable place for all.”

Girl Rising and HP continue their work to advance digital equity and eliminate challenges to girls’ education

Girl Rising has partnered closely with the tech giant HP for nearly a decade — from HP’s support of the original Girl Rising film, to a multi-year partnership to advance technology education in the U.S, India and Nigeria, said Michele Malejki, the company’s global head of social impact.

“In 2021, HP made a commitment to accelerate digital equity for 150 million people, and the Girl Rising Future Fellows program, also launched in 2021, was a natural next step in our collaboration — squarely rooted in our Sustainable Impact focus areas of climate action, human rights and digital equity,” Malejki told TriplePundit.

Digital equity — meaning equal access to technology and knowing how to use it — is essential for combating poverty as education, healthcare and economic opportunities increasingly move online. Women and girls, people with disabilities, aging populations, and other marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by gaps in digital literacy and technology access. HP and the HP Foundation aim to change that by bringing technology solutions and funding to nonprofit partners like Girl Rising.

“HP and Girl Rising share a common belief that to drive positive, lasting change in the world, women and girls must have access to quality education, which includes amazing learning materials,” Malejki said. “Educating women and girls is fundamental to addressing our climate crisis, to strengthening our communities and global economy, and to solving other related issues like population growth and human rights violations.” Since 2019, the company and nonprofit have enabled 14.4 million students and teachers in India, Nigeria, and the U.S. with technology solutions and new curriculum, she said.

Meanwhile Girl Rising announced the third cohort of Future Rising Fellows in September in its latest bid to help young people tell their stories on a global platform and have access to power.

“One of the things we know is that young people often don’t have a seat at the table, and as critical discussions and decisions are being made about how countries and multilateral institutions are going to address climate change, where investments are going to go, we believe these young people need to be at the table and have their voices heard and their demands heard,” Lowry said.

This article series is sponsored by HP and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Image courtesy of Girl Rising

Tata Sons North America and First Book, the largest online network of educators serving children in need, have been working together since 2008 to eliminate existing barriers to education. Over the last 15 years of this partnership, they have distributed about 600,000 books to educators serving kids in need.

When Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and other Tata group companies team up with nonprofit First Book to celebrate reading and get books to K-12 students who need them, it’s with a single intention. They’re partnering to establish a foundation for future student success.

Recently TCS and other Tata Group volunteers joined up with First Book in Philadelphia and Atlanta to read books aloud to K-5 students. The events were opportunities for Tata professionals to serve as mentors and role models and encourage a love of reading. The company is now planning additional celebrations of reading across the U.S.

“TCS volunteers see reading to K-12 students as a high priority because it enables them to explore their sense of purpose,” said Lina Klebanov, head of TCS’ Corporate Social Responsibility programs in North America. “In looking to ensure young people are connected to opportunities in the digital economy and the 21stcentury workforce, TCS volunteers know their efforts are impactful, especially in how they can instill curiosity, which is a key pillar of learning and innovation.” 

As technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) advance rapidly, TCS believes in preparing students for future careers that may not even exist yet.

“Today’s students will need exceptional capabilities in design and computational thinking to meet the needs of the not-so-far-off future,” said Klebanov. “However, it all starts with the basics. They must be motivated to read.” 

The Tata group of companies regularly supports First Book and its mission. In spring 2023, the Tata group took this partnership with the nonprofit to the street with a “Truck of Books” event held at Jaguar Land Rover headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey. The event drew educators, librarians and other supporters of children’s learning from across New York and New Jersey and resulted in the distribution of 37,000 books to over 200 educators in the tristate area. Additionally, earlier in the spring, TCS’ Tech4HOPE program resulted in about $31,000 worth of pro bono IT consulting to support advancements in First Book’s data governance efforts.

“Since the founding of our group, we have upheld the commitment of giving back to the community,” said Michael McCabe, Resident Director, Tata Sons North America. “We are proud to continue to build on that commitment and share the power of reading with students across the country. Our longstanding partnership with First Book, supported by numerous Tata volunteers, continues to have a positive impact on educators and students across North America.”

Now is an important time to focus on books. Think Impact’s recent report on literacy reveals that 21% of adults in the U.S. are illiterate in 2023, and 54% of adults have below a 6th grade literacy level. Think Impact further states that low levels of literacy cost the U.S. up to $2.2 trillion per year.

The need for reading was also highlighted by the results of the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) most recent long-term trend reading and mathematics assessment. The report dealt Americans an unwelcome surprise this year with scores declining yet again, indicating literacy and numeracy may be at risk in some U.S. communities. The test, administered to 13-year-old students from October to December of the 2022–23 school year, revealed that the average scores for 13-year-olds had declined four points in reading and nine points in math compared to the previous assessment conducted in the 2019–20 school year. A decade ago, the average scores had declined even more: seven points in reading and 14 points in math.

First Book and companies like TCS are eager to help turn that around. For more information, visit on.tcs.com/CSR and https://www.tatasustainability.com/SocialAndHumanCapital/FirstBook.

CBRE

By Sara Johnston Director, Mktg & Comm

A growing number of local U.S. jurisdictions are implementing building performance standards (BPS) to combat carbon emissions in the real estate sector, creating new financial and reputational considerations for building owners, according to a new report by CBRE.

Ten local jurisdictions across the U.S. launched BPS policies in 2023, including cities, counties and states. New Jersey joined California and Colorado in enacting a statewide policy in 2023 with Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Washington scheduled to do the same over the next three years.

The regulations are aimed at reducing buildings’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The stipulations vary by jurisdiction with many imposing financial penalties for policy violations. CBRE’s Econometric Advisors analyzed the potential financial impact for a 500,000 sq. ft. office building that failed to meet energy- or emissions-reduction mandates in cities with active BPS policies. The analysis found non-compliance could reduce a building’s net operating income (NOI) by 5.1 to 5.8%.

“The financial penalties associated with BPS regulations could be significant for building owners, but collecting fines is not the goal. The policies are designed to incentivize investing in the improvements needed to reduce a property’s carbon impact. Those investments also have an upside in protecting a building’s reputation and helping to attract tenants. As regulations become more widespread, a strategic approach to sustainability will become a prerequisite for any major capital investment,” said Dennis Schoenmaker, executive director and principal economist, CBRE Econometric Advisors.

Actions to aid compliance

Improving a building’s energy efficiency and overall performance requires the cooperation of building owners and tenants. While the building owner is liable for financial penalties, how tenants operate their individual spaces significantly impacts a building’s ability to meet performance targets. Two actions to aid cooperation and compliance are green lease clauses and submetering.

Green lease clauses outline specific obligations and commitments related to sustainability measures like energy efficiency, renewable power procurement, water consumption, waste management and more. Such clauses can feature cost-sharing measures to help distribute building improvement costs among tenants and the owner, as well as stipulations to track and reward tenants who reduce their energy usage.

Submetering is the process of measuring and monitoring individual tenants’ energy consumption and billing them accordingly. It can also be applied to large electrical equipment, such as HVAC, lighting and building automation systems. The use of submetering provides more accurate data, allowing a building owner and its property management team to focus on areas with the highest impact. Research has shown the use of submetering in multi-tenant buildings can lead to an energy savings of up to 15% (U.S. General Services Administration).

“Momentum is growing for more BPS implementation. Building owners operating across multiple markets are facing tremendous amounts of complexity in navigating the various regulations. The good news is the solutions to help simplify the complexity and accelerate decarbonization are advancing every day, as does the industry’s understanding of the urgent need to act. Owners and tenants are becoming more aligned on the importance of sustainability, and this shared responsibility will be key to driving progress,” said Rob Bernard, chief sustainability officer, CBRE.

View the full report here.

About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2022 revenue). The company has approximately 115,000 employees (excluding Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

Originally published on HARMAN Newsroom

CES 2024, LAS VEGAS, January 16, 2024/3BL/ – JBL, global leader in portable audio, unveils the latest evolution of its fan-favorite PartyBox series. Introducing the JBL PartyBox Club 120, JBL PartyBox Stage 320, and JBL PartyBox Wireless Mic, JBL unlocks limitless possibilities for entertaining with exciting features. These state-of-the-art speakers open endless possibilities for electrifying gatherings, featuring thrilling sound and immersive lighting effects. With extended playtime powered by a replaceable battery and upgraded Bluetooth capabilities, JBL reaffirms its position as the global leader in portable audio, raising the bar for every occasion and continuing to be a part of fans’ most memorable moments.

Packed with JBL Pro Sound, the JBL PartyBox Club 120 features powerful sound, and deeper bass, along with a symmetric and themed light show guaranteed to offer an amazing visual experience with starry lights, cool light trails, and strobe light effects all synced with your music. The new JBL PartyBox Club 120 can pair unlimited JBL PartyBoxes together and can connect with other JBL Auracast-enabled portable speakers via Auracast™. With 12 hours of playtime, and double the party time with an easy-to-swap replaceable battery, the JBL PartyBox Club 120 joins the lineup with two mic inputs and one guitar input and is compatible with the JBL PartyBox App. The JBL PartyBox Club 120 incorporates post-consumer recycled materials for 70% of its plastic. It’s also packaged in FSC-certified paper printed with soy ink.

Bring the party anywhere, anytime with the JBL PartyBox Stage 320, featuring superior JBL Pro Sound. With two high-sensitivity woofers and dual tweeters, users can listen to all the details of their favorite tracks, even at the loudest volumes. The telescopic handle and wide, sturdy wheels, ensure the JBL PartyBox 320 can be easily transported to transform any space into the ultimate party, with its multi-dimensional light show. Featuring 18 hours of playtime which can be doubled with an easy-to-swap-out replaceable battery, and FastCharge where a 10-minute charge boost delivers 2 hours of playtime, users won’t have to worry about the party stopping mid-song. The new JBL PartyBox Stage 320 can pair unlimited JBL PartyBoxes together and can connect with other JBL Auracast-enabled portable speakers through Auracast™. The JBL PartyBox Stage 320 incorporates post-consumer recycled materials for 60% of its plastic. It’s also packaged in FSC-certified paper printed with soy ink.

Both models feature HARMAN’s industry leading technology AI Sound Boost which analyzes audio in real time with an AI algorithm to optimize the acoustic output level, leading to more powerful and less distorted sound.

The must-have PartyBox accessory joins the fun with the release of the JBL PartyBox Wireless Mic. Featuring clear voice and crisp sound, the JBL PartyBox Wireless Mic comes in a plug-and-play two-mic pack guaranteed to deliver the best performance with JBL PartyBox Cardioid pattern pickup main sound. Minimize all unwanted noise with JBL’s shock mount system that minimizes handling and breathing noise. This easy-to-use, plug-and-play is compatible with all JBL PartyBox speakers and comes with 20 hours of playtime and a rechargeable battery that can be charged while using. The JBL PartyBox Wireless Mic incorporates post-consumer recycled materials for 30% of its plastic. The Wireless Mic Dongle incorporates post-consumer recycled materials for 70% of its plastic and is packaged in FSC-certified paper printed with soy ink.

“Every party needs music and you can now embrace being the life of the party with JBL’s newest PartyBox speakers,” said Dave Rogers, President, HARMAN Lifestyle Division. “Light up your listening experience with the latest and greatest additions to JBL’s PartyBox family by bringing the party outside, take it on-the-go, or plug and play with our new Wireless Mic.”

Model: JBL PartyBox Club 120

Loud and powerful sound

Specs:

Foldable handleIPX4 certified splash proofAI Sound BoostBluetooth v5.3 with LE audioMulti-speaker connection by Auracast™Stereo pairing via JBL PartyBox app2 mic inputs and 1 guitar inputCustomizable elements via JBL PartyBox appSymmetric and themed light showMade with recycled plastic and FSC-certified paper packaging

Battery Life: 12-hour playback + replaceable battery (FastCharge: 10 min for 80 min playtime)

Price: $399.95

Model: JBL PartyBox Stage 320

Bring the party anywhere

Specs:

240W RMS power output, 2x 25mm dome tweeter + 2x 6.5” wooferTelescopic handle and wide, sturdy wheelsIPX4 certified splashproofAI Sound BoostBluetooth v5.3 with LE audioMulti-speaker connection by Auracast™Stereo pairing via JBL PartyBox app2 mic inputs and 1 guitar inputMade with recycled plastic and FSC-certified paper packaging

Battery Life: 

18-hour playtime +replaceable battery (FastCharge: 10 min for 2 hours of playtime)

Price: $399.95

Model: JBL PartyBox Wireless Mic

Plug and play two mic pack

Specs:

Compatible with all PartyBox speakersStable 2.4GHz connection over 30MMade with recycled plastic and FSC-certified paper packaging

Battery Life: 

20-hour microphone playtime; 12-hour dongle playtimeRechargeable battery (10 mins charging for 2 hours microphone playtime)

Price: $149.95

Follow HARMAN online

Find more news at the HARMAN NewsroomLike HARMAN on FacebookConnect with Harman on LinkedInCheck out our YouTube ChannelFollow HARMAN on Twitter @harmanFollow Twitter Hashtag #Harman

The new additions to the PartyBox lineup will be available on JBL.com in April 2024.

ABOUT JBL
For over 75 years, JBL has shaped life’s most memorable moments at the intersection of music, lifestyle, gaming and sports. JBL elevates listening experiences with superior audio quality and product designs that encourage individuality and self-expression. With unmatched professional credentials and industry-leading innovation, JBL is a trailblazer in the audio industry because of passionate and talented engineers and designers around the globe. JBL Pro Sound is the foremost technology pushing culture forward through major pop culture events and partnerships with the world’s top talent across music, sports and esports. 

ABOUT HARMAN 
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.

For more information:

HARMAN Americas Consumer Lifestyle

Denise Daly, Director of Communications & PR 
JBL@dkcnews.com

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About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Gilead and the Gilead logo are registered trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-3000.

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