Month: June 2025
New York climate disclosure bill co-sponsor ‘guardedly optimistic’ as clock ticks down
US Companies Delay Impact Reports With DEI, ESG Under Attack
ASEAN, Gulf, and China Signal New Phase in Global South Climate Leadership
H&M shines, Shein flunks on fashion sustainability scorecard
How Sustainable Design Reduces Operating Costs, Drives ROI
Hong Kong green tech trailblazers boost sustainability across belt and road countries
Sun Life U.S. congratulates Congressmen DeSaulnier and Scott on introduction of historic legislation to enhance coverage of mental health conditions in long-term disability insurance
WELLESLEY, Mass., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dan Fishbein, M.D., president, Sun Life U.S., released the following statement in support of the Workers’ Disability Benefits Parity Act, introduced today by Congressmen Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) and Robert Scott (VA-03). This legislation would enhance long-term disability insurance benefits by requiring that mental health conditions be covered similarly to most physical conditions. Sun Life first called on Congress in 2023 to make these improvements to disability coverage.
“This legislation rightly recognizes that mental health is health, and makes sure that workers will have the financial security they need to take care of themselves and their families, regardless of the cause of their disability. Mental health conditions must be given the same consideration as physical conditions in healthcare and in workplace benefits, especially disability coverage. A mental health condition can be just as disabling as a physical one, and can last just as long. Currently, most long-term disability benefits are typically capped at 24 months for mental health conditions. There should be a uniform federal standard to ensure long-term disability benefits cover mental health and physical conditions at the same level and length.
This is an opportunity to evolve the way we address mental health diagnoses in the assessment of a person’s ability to work. Stronger mental health expertise and management, paired with the vocational support already embedded in disability insurance, will help more people get the care and support they need to return to work and wellness.
A market-wide legislative solution is the best way to ensure coverage for workers while supporting a strong and sustainable market for disability insurance.
Disability coverage must evolve to meet the current needs of American workers. We applaud Congressmen DeSaulnier and Scott for introducing this important piece of legislation and stand ready to work with members of Congress and other partners to support its passing. Getting people back to health and work whenever possible remains the goal. Society benefits by helping more workers get the mental healthcare they need, and we now have the opportunity to do just that.”
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.55 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.
Media contacts
Devon Fernald
Sun Life U.S.
Devon.Portney.Fernald@sunlife.com
781-800-3609
Connect with Sun Life U.S.
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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.
NEWS: Ocean Conservancy and GOAL Launch Reusable Cup Venue Partnership: “Protect Where We Play Tour”
Tour’s Goal to Reach One Million Fans and Save One Million Cups
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Ocean Conservancy and its partner GOAL announced the “Protect Where We Play Tour” launch, a partnership across GOAL’s network of venues to reduce their plastic footprint by deploying a reusable cup program during concerts and sporting events. The Protect Where We Play Tour will kick off at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, which is hosting Coldplay on June 6-7. Other tour stops this summer will include Savannah’s Enmarket Arena for The Lumineers, two nights of Billie Eilish at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York and others.
It is estimated that this tour will prevent 1,000,000 single-use cups from entering the waste stream. Bold Reuse, a leading reuse service provider, is supporting the tour by managing all reusable cup operations at participating venues.
“We’re so excited about this activation because it’s the perfect combination of mission alignment and funding for operational changes. We’re grateful for Ocean Conservancy’s collaboration and openness to fund tangible solutions that help facilities implement sustainable change, while also elevating their mission. These are the types of win-win partnerships that enable the positive change that our sports and entertainment industry really needs,” said Kristen Fulmer, Executive Director of GOAL.
“With 50% of our oxygen coming from the ocean, whether you live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, the future of your favorite game, concert, or event depends on a healthy, plastic-free ocean. By tapping into the joy of what it means to be a fan, we can inspire action and create a global movement that protects our planet for the next generation,” said Ocean Conservancy’s Chief Brand and Communications Officer Jenna DiPaolo.
Select tour dates include:
- June 6-7: Coldplay at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
- September 27: Lumineers at Enmarket Arena, Savannah, GA
- October 25-26: Billie Eilish at UBS Arena, Belmont Park, NY
- More stops coming soon!
In February, Ocean Conservancy launched the Protect Where We Play Initiative, aimed at rallying sports and entertainment fans to protect the future of our planet, leveraging the reach of athletes, artists, and events to mobilize millions of fans in support of ocean conservation. The program features “Team Ocean Captains” including WNBA’s Napheesa Collier, NFL’s Kelvin Beachum, MLB’s Brent Suter, Paralympian Ezra Frech, and American ballerina Katherine Barkman.
The Protect Where We Play Initiative is the newest Ocean Conservancy program among decades of work to protect the ocean from plastic pollution. Since 1986, Ocean Conservancy has led the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), mobilizing nearly 19 million volunteers to remove 395 million pounds of trash from beaches and waterways worldwide. Ocean Conservancy has also led advocacy efforts to prevent plastic pollution through policies at the state, federal, and international levels.
Learn more about Protect Where We Play HERE.
You can find the Protect Where We Play media kit HERE.
ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY
Ocean Conservancy has been working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
ABOUT PROTECT WHERE WE PLAY
Protect Where We Play is Ocean Conservancy’s bold, new initiative that aims to inspire a new wave of fan engagement and action by leveraging the sports and entertainment industries as a first entry point to activate a broader and more diverse array of “Team Ocean” advocates. You can watch the sizzle reel here, read Forbes’ coverage of the launch here, and Pollstar’s Earth Day coverage on the origin story of this initiative here. For more information, visit protectwhereweplay.com.
ABOUT GOAL (Green Operations & Advanced Leadership)
GOAL is a pioneering sustainability-driven membership and support network of over 55 global members from sports, entertainment, and live event venues, including stadiums, arenas, theaters, and convention centers. The GOAL Medals Awards program is the first industry-wide benchmarking and recognition tool to validate incremental sustainability efforts across 10 ESG topics. GOAL utilizes Salesforce Net Zero Cloud for carbon accounting and customized industry comparisons, which informs action-planning, goal-setting, and corporate partnership support, including connections to vetted vendors. By fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and offering tailored support, GOAL empowers organizations to enhance their sustainability efforts, no matter where they are in their journey. The Founding Partners of GOAL are Oak View Group, the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, Fenway Sports Group, and green building trailblazer Jason F. McLennan, founder of McLennan Design.
Roya Fox
Sr. Communications Manager
rfox@oceanconservancy.org
202.280.6285
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SOURCE Ocean Conservancy
Built Tough: How T-Mobile’s Smart Network Stays Strong in Disasters
When natural disasters strike, staying connected can be lifesaving. Subject matter experts on T‑Mobile’s emergency response teams explain how the company has stepped up its network to think, adapt and respond in real time, in real emergencies they have seen first-hand, when everything is on the line.
During an emergency, connectivity can mean the difference between safety and silence. And no one knows that better than T-Mobile’s emergency response teams, who’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to stay connected.
“There is no better feeling in the world than when you’re in the field and someone hugs you and says, ‘You’re here!’” says Becky Romero, Senior Manager, T-Mobile’s Enterprise Business Continuity team. “It’s very emotional for our teams when we get to show what the Magenta mission looks like.”
That’s why the Un-carrier built a modern and intelligent network designed to evolve — one that doesn’t just bounce back from disaster but actively adapts in real time to keep people connected. From self-healing infrastructure powered by AI and real-time data to satellite connectivity and prioritized 5G for first responders, T-Mobile is redefining what it means to be ready.
“We don’t prepare for just one storm, we prepare for the entire season,” adds Joseph Urban, Senior Director, T-Mobile’s Engineering and Operations. “Our teams, systems and equipment stay fully ready to respond.”
At the time of our interview, Urban was actively leading a staging exercise to ensure crews were rested, resourced and ready for the next potential impact. Behind every one of those crews is a network designed to be just as agile.
Here is the technology these experts say ensures T-Mobile’s network doesn’t just recover in a crisis, but helps communities recover too.
Self-Organizing Network (SON): A Smart, Self-Healing System Built for Immediate Response
During an emergency, speed matters and so does smart infrastructure. That’s where T-Mobile’s Self-Organizing Network (SON) comes in. Powered by predictive data modeling and real-time AI, SON acts like a 24/7 brain for the network, constantly scanning for issues and responding on the fly.
“It’s one of the most exciting evolutions I’ve seen in our emergency response,” says Nicole Hudnet, Emergency Response Team (ERT) Advisor, T-Mobile Business Group. “During a tornado response in Texas, we were able to tilt antennas on a nearby tower remotely to improve connectivity and help first responders — no one had to be physically sent out, freeing them to respond to even more critical needs.”
SON uses AI, machine learning and automation to reroute signals, dynamically shift antenna angles, optimize power usage and prevent congestion — all in real time. It’s like GPS for cell signals, constantly recalculating the best path to keep coverage strong, even when parts of the network are down.
“If you think of the spectrum and capacity that we have here at T-Mobile, especially with 5G, it’s perfect for the demands of technologies like AI,” Hudnet says. “AI depends on vast data collection and rapid decision-making, and our network is built for it.”
And when the power is out? SON keeps working smarter.
“We leverage advanced technologies, including AI, to optimize power usage at our cell sites — helping to extend battery life and maintain connectivity when it matters most,” says Urban.
If a site is running on a smaller generator or backup battery, SON can automatically scale down non-critical usage and stretch that power to last longer — keeping people connected for as long as possible. SON’s capabilities have already made a major impact. During Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the system executed over 5,000 automated adjustments and more than 121,000 antenna tilts to expand coverage in real time. And during the recent Southern California wildfires, it performed over 12,000 more, reinforcing signals near critical infrastructure and rescue zones.
“We can now see in real time how many customers are impacted in a given area and focus our recovery efforts exactly where they’re needed,” says Rocky Leavitt, Senior Manager, T-Mobile’s Field Technology Engineering Operations.
T-Satellite with Starlink: Staying Connected Even When Towers Go Down
When traditional cell service is not available, staying connected can feel impossible. That’s why T-Mobile has introduced T-Satellite, America’s first and only “direct connect” satellite service that’s changing the game for emergency response.
Available to anyone enrolled in the beta program (even Verizon and AT&T customers), T-Satellite lets users send texts to 911 and SMS to loved ones with no setup, apps or extra hardware required on most modern smartphones. And anybody with a compatible device can receive wireless emergency alerts when traditional service is out of reach.
Between the hurricanes and wildfires, T-Satellite helped deliver over 500,000 critical messages that wouldn’t have gone through otherwise.
“It’s 500,000 messages,” reflects Jon Freier, President, T-Mobile’s Consumer Group, “maybe to simply say ‘I’m OK’ to friends and family, or to plea for emergency relief in a life-or-death situation.”
Leading the Future of Emergency Communication
T-Priority is a cutting-edge 5G solution designed to transform frontline connectivity. It features a dedicated 5G network slice that directs network traffic to ensure first responder agencies get our best possible experience with up to five times the resources of the average user. And in rare times of extreme congestion, it can dynamically dedicate more capacity to first responders.
During the California fires in January, the Un-carrier provided T-Priority to more than 350 Los Angeles Fire Department members to maintain mission-critical connectivity.
The company is also helping modernize 911 systems nationwide through Next Generation 911 (NG911), which replaces slower, outdated voice systems with IP-based tech that can transmit voice, text, and real-time location data directly to call centers.
T-Mobile is already routing over half of its 911 traffic through NG911, and 87% of call centers on its network now support Text-to-911 — giving people more ways to get help, especially when speaking isn’t possible or safe.
Connecting Communities in Crisis
T-Mobile’s disaster teams deploy assets to fill gaps where coverage is impacted by commercial power outages and damaged infrastructure, including emergency vehicles, mobile command centers, charging stations, Wi-Fi trailers and routers. Their work has helped small businesses run transactions and payroll, powered local grocery stores, kept hospitals and temporary medical tents connected to access patient records and supported recovery centers with connectivity and essential equipment during emergencies.
During Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Southern California fires, T-Mobile’s teams visited more than 75 Red Cross shelters and other points of distribution, where they provided free Wi-Fi to approximately 21,000 people, regardless of carrier, who used a total of 12TB of data. Teams have also handed out more than 15,000 power packs with device charging equipment and other supplies.
Dataminr: Preparedness Starts with Visibility and Innovation
T-Mobile has integrated Dataminr’s AI-driven alert system into its Everbridge Visual Command Center, enhancing teams’ early visibility into threats like wildfires, severe weather and infrastructure risks.
By scanning public data — from sensors to social media — Dataminr delivers real-time alerts that help T-Mobile respond faster.
“This kind of early intelligence is a game-changer,” says Urban. “It lets us act quickly and adapt as conditions change.”
Early detection means faster decisions — and better outcomes when lives and livelihoods are at stake.
A Stronger, Smarter Network
T-Mobile’s resilient network relies on backhaul — the critical link between cell towers and the internet. To keep service running during disasters, the company uses a multilayered system: fiber, microwave and satellite connections. If one fails, the others step in.
“We’ve used these tools for years, but today’s satellite tech is faster, smarter and far more capable,” says Stacy Tindell, Senior Director, T-Mobile’s Network Engineering and Operations.
This multilayered approach means fewer interruptions, faster recovery and a network that can flex and adapt even under extreme pressure. This is more than just innovation. It’s transformation — designed to protect the people who rely on it most.
T-Mobile is committed to strengthening its network and support systems to meet the growing challenges of extreme weather and natural disasters. Learn more at T-Mobile.com/news/emergency-response.
