Month: August 2025

Every few decades, the HVAC industry undergoes a shift that redefines how we heat and cool our homes and businesses in the United States. Now we’re in the midst of another major transition: the move away from R-410A refrigerant toward lower-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B.

This change is not optional—it’s mandated by U.S. regulations under the AIM Act, which required equipment manufacturers to transition to lower-impact refrigerants at the beginning of this year, while the transition contractors and consumers installing new units starts January 1, 2026.  While to some this may feel daunting, this moment is really an opportunity: to install more efficient systems, reduce carbon footprints, and deliver long-term value for homeowners.

At LG, we’ve been here before. We successfully guided our customers through the transition from R-22 (aka Freon) to R-410A, and over the past two years we’ve been leveraging that experience to make today’s shift to R-32 as smooth as possible. Our message is simple: with the right preparation and the right partner, this transition is manageable, safe and beneficial.

What Homeowners Should Know
For homeowners, the most important point is reassurance. The new so-called “A2L” refrigerants are described as “mildly flammable,” which can sound alarming. In reality, they are far closer in behavior to the non-flammable refrigerants we’ve used for decades than to some refrigerants like propane used on other countries. Safety standards for A2Ls have been rigorously updated, and new equipment is designed with leak detection sensors, automatic shut-off systems, and other safeguards.

From a performance perspective, these A2L refrigerants are more efficient than R-410A. For homeowners considering an upgrade, especially to air-source heat pumps, the transition represents an opportunity to adopt future-ready lower-GWP equipment that lowers energy bills while reducing environmental impact.

What Contractors Should Know
For contractors, the refrigerant transition is both a challenge and a growth opportunity. Training is critical—installers must be familiar with updated handling practices, new safety codes, and A2L-rated tools. The good news: as we explain to contractors at our LG HVAC Academies, the vast majority of procedures and tools remain the same. Best practices like leak detection and proper evacuation, always important, are now essential.

Contractors should also prepare for a split market. While LG has selected R-32 for our residential systems due to its efficiency and global alignment, some other manufacturers are adopting R-454B. That means vans may carry more cylinders than before. Proper labeling, organization, and attention to refrigerant type will be key.

Leadership Role
LG has chosen the R-32 refrigerant because of its strong global track record, efficiency advantages and streamlined serviceability as a single-component refrigerant. Our air-source heat pump portfolio is already leading this transition, giving homeowners high-performance solutions that also help achieve sustainability goals.

Our U.S. HVAC business represents a key element of LG Electronics’ global acceleration of B2B operations as a central component of its overall business portfolio innovation strategy. Next, we are preparing our Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems for the same evolution in 2027. VRF technology is rapidly expanding in commercial and multifamily applications, and LG is investing to ensure these solutions make the shift with minimal disruption and maximum customer benefit.

Looking Ahead
The refrigerant transition is about more than compliance—it’s about building a sustainable future. For homeowners, that means lower energy bills, comfort, and peace of mind. For contractors, it means new business opportunities and the chance to be trusted advisors during a once-in-a-generation change.

At LG, we’re embracing this transition with the same spirit of innovation, training and partnership that have defined us in the past. Together, we can make this transition not just manageable, but transformative.

August 25, 2025 /3BL/ – AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, today announced that 20 nonprofit organizations across the United States will receive grants $400,000 from the AEG Community Foundation. The grants, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000, will support programs focused on K-12 education, the arts, and health and wellness in the communities where AEG and its partners operate.

Several of this year’s grant recipients were nominated by AEG employees who have previously collaborated with or supported these organizations, highlighting their meaningful impact at the local level. Each nomination was carefully reviewed by the Foundation’s national executive board, which selected the final recipients based on their demonstrated commitment to building stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities.

“For 25 years AEG has invested in non-profit organizations that make a meaningful difference in underserved communities with a goal of helping these communities thrive,” said Martha Saucedo, Chief External Affairs Officer, AEG. “The grants being awarded today by the AEG Community Foundation will support the valuable work these nonprofits do every day to uplift and empower the people they serve.”

“We are profoundly grateful to the AEG Community Foundation for their generous $20,000 grant supporting our Hope Street Margolis Family Center After-School Program,” says Susan Shum, California Hospital Medical Center Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer and AEG grantee. “This isn’t just funding; it’s an investment in our Hope Street families, supporting their success, creative outlets and healthier futures. This grant will empower us to continue fostering vital math and English skills, ignite curiosity through science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), and provide holistic support, ensuring our children not only succeed in school but thrive in life. Together, with partners like AEG, we are building a stronger, more resilient community, one bright future at a time.”

The recipients of the AEG Community Foundation 2025 Grant Cycle include:

K-12 Education

• BOSS, Inc. (Long Beach, CA)
• Little Tokyo Service Center (Los Angeles, CA)
• All People Community Center (Los Angeles, CA)
• Boys & Girls Club of Carson (Carson, CA)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan (Ypsilanti, MI)
• California Science Center Foundation (Los Angeles, CA)
• City Year New York (New York, NY)
• California Hospital Medical Center Foundation (Los Angeles, CA)
• Central American Resource Center – CARECEN (Los Angeles, CA)

Arts

• Girls Write Nashville (Nashville, TN)
• Heart of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
• A Place Called Home (Los Angeles, CA)
• The Troy Andrews Foundation (New Orleans, LA)
• Inner-City Arts (Los Angeles, CA)
• Youth on Record (Denver, CO)
• Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation (Santa Barbara, CA)
• Alianza Coachella Valley (Coachella, CA)
• Angelica Center for Arts and Music (Los Angeles, CA)

Health and Wellness

• Olive Crest (Las Vegas, NV)
• YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)

“This support is about opening doors for young people and fueling the future of Colorado’s music scene. Our students at Youth on Record are the ones who will carry music and live events forward in Denver and beyond. AEG’s backing helps us connect them to real jobs and internships, and it gives them the shot they deserve to make that vision real.” – Jami Duffy, Youth on Record Executive Director & the UMS Co-Manager

“We are deeply grateful to AEG for investing in the future of our youth”, said BBBSSEM Director of Programs, Dr. Joselyn Mitchell-Parker. “This grant is more than funding; it is a statement that the brilliance, leadership, and potential of young people in Southeast Michigan is seen, valued, and worth cultivating. With AEG Community Foundation’s support, our Leadership Camp will continue to empower these students to step into their power, lead with intention, and imagine a world they are fully capable of shaping.”

“AEG was the first to believe in BOSS, and that belief has been transformative. Their early, and continued support hasn’t just open doors—its ignited a movement that’s empowering our boys to lead, achieve, and thrive.” BOSS, Inc. founder Everett GlennBOSS INC

FedEx teamed up with the World Vision Foundation of Thailand to help the Pa Deng community in Phetchaburi province. They donated and set up solar-powered water filtration systems to make sure people there have consistent access to clean water.

The community has had a tough time with its water supply due to power outages. Switching to solar power means they can count on a reliable water source for hygiene and sanitation. To make this happen, over 20 FedEx volunteers worked alongside community members to install solar panels and filtration systems, helping more than 1,900 people across four villages.

Sasathorn Phaspinyo, managing director of FedEx Thailand, said, “Water and electricity are crucial for every community’s well-being. At FedEx, we’re committed to offering solutions wherever they’re needed. Through this project, we aim to empower Pa Deng residents by improving their access to these essential resources. I’m so proud of our team who truly live our commitment to doing good and support our FedEx Cares initiatives.”

This year’s effort is another step in FedEx’s mission to support Thai communities. Last year, they donated and installed eco-friendly waste incinerators and biogas systems in Pa Deng to replace old waste disposal methods, like open-air burning and landfills, providing sustainable ways to handle organic waste while cutting down on toxic emissions.

With a global goal to become carbon-neutral by 2040, FedEx is working hard on environmental initiatives in both air and ground operations, including using electric vehicles, saving fuel, sourcing renewable energy, and offering sustainable packaging solutions.

The Pa Deng project is part of the FedEx Cares global community engagement program. If you want to learn more about what FedEx Cares is doing across Asia Pacific, check out our website!

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

Recently Otis Poland made a meaningful impact teaming up with FIRST LEGO League Polska and Future Minds Foundation to support 10 schools across the country giving approximately 70 young students the opportunity to

• explore robotics and programming
• experience teamwork, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility
• learn important STEM skills for the future

“The students keep saying they can’t wait for the next edition. They think and talk about it all the time: What the robot would look like, what the next tasks would be,” said informatics teacher Magdalena Kalinowska, who was coaching a team at Primary School no. 100, in Warsaw.

Otis is proud to inspire young talent, help support the development of the next generation of innovators and create a pipeline of future talent to make a lasting impact in the communities we serve!

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

In the early stages of my career, I entered the world of investment banking, where I was responsible for building low-latency trading platforms used by institutional traders. I worked at RBS, which later transitioned to NatWest, and got hands-on experience designing complex, data-intensive systems that required both precision and scale.

About three years ago, I joined GoDaddy, and it’s been an exciting chapter ever since. I’m currently part of the Pricing team, where I’ve had the opportunity to build our new Discounting system from scratch. I work on everything from promotion calculations to their seamless integration with other pricing services. I also lead a team of four engineers, and I enjoy balancing the hands-on work with mentoring.

What have you learned about yourself through the projects you’ve worked on?

Working on large-scale systems early in my career taught me the importance of building for reliability and scalability. I learned how to break down complex problems and focus on long-term solutions.

Being at GoDaddy has also helped me understand the importance of communication and collaboration. Whether it’s brainstorming with the team, handling production issues, or aligning on goals, I’ve realized that technology alone doesn’t solve problems—people do.

What technical skills have been most essential in your growth as an engineer and leader?

Problem-solving has been at the core of my technical journey. Being able to approach problems from multiple angles, ask the right questions, and think about edge cases has helped me build more resilient systems.

As a leader, I’ve learned the importance of creating a “multiplier effect”—where your impact grows through the growth of your teammates.

Trusting your team, guiding them when needed, and creating a space where people feel safe to learn and take ownership—that’s what leadership means to me.

What resources do you recommend for aspiring tech leads?

Here are a few that have really helped me:

• Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann
• Foundations of Scalable Systems by Ian Gorton (O’Reilly)
• How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie – A timeless book that’s taught me a lot about understanding and working with people

What makes GoDaddy an exciting place for engineers to work?

GoDaddy keeps you on your toes in the best way possible. It doesn’t let you stay in your comfort zone—and that’s something I’ve come to really value. There are always new challenges to take on, and the engineering problems are meaningful and real.

The learning culture here is strong. GoDaddy supports engineers through programs like GoLearn, which offers internal courses, workshops, and certifications to help us upskill. Personally, I’ve had the opportunity to work across different tech stacks, try out serverless approaches, and rethink how systems can scale—all of which have helped me grow as a technologist.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

During my free time I love to read books and explore ways to upskill myself. There’s always something new to learn in this ever-evolving world.

At home, we have Leo, our husky. He’s full of energy, and I enjoy taking him on long walks—he never misses an opportunity to explore.

And being a dad to a six-year-old son brings me joy every day. We’re always working on fun and educational activities together—DIY projects, games, or anything that sparks curiosity.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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Ray C. Anderson Named to the World Floor Covering Association Hall of Fame

The World Floor Covering Association posthumously awarded Ray C. Anderson a Hall of Fame Award at the Flooring Sustainability Summit in Washington, D.C. Ray’s grandson, John A. Lanier, executive director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, received the award.
Read the full story.

Welcome to the Ray of Hope Accelerator 2025 Cohort

Earlier this summer, the Ray of Hope Accelerator announced the ten startups selected for its 2025 program, kicking off in September. This year’s cohort expands the program’s global reach, with first-time participants from Colombia and the Netherlands. “We are so proud of the growth in The Biomimicry Institute’s Ray of Hope Accelerator,” said John A. Lanier, executive director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. “It is noteworthy, and exciting, to see that this cohort spans three continents and includes companies with substantial leadership from women and immigrants. It shows the power and strength in diversity, a lesson found throughout the natural world.”
Discover the 10 Nature-Inspired Startups

The Ray of Hope Accelerator Returns to New York Climate Week

The Biomimicry Institute will host an inspiring evening on Thursday, September 25 at Brickworks Design Studio, NYC, to celebrate the 2025 cohort during New York Climate Week. Meet ten visionary startups reimagining materials, energy, and infrastructure, drawing on designs from pine cones to aquatic plant roots, to tackle urgent climate and biodiversity challenges. The evening includes networking with innovators, investors, and sustainability leaders, plus a round of fast-paced startup pitches. Register for the event!

Call for Mentors

Do you have experience in business strategy, fundraising, product development, marketing, or scaling early-stage ventures? The Ray of Hope Accelerator is seeking mentors to support nature-inspired startups as they bring groundbreaking solutions to market. This is a volunteer opportunity to share your expertise and make a meaningful impact in shaping the future of climate innovation, and we’d love to hear from you! Apply to be a Mentor.

The Ray Receives Award to Launch Charleston County Pollinator Habitat Initiative

The Ray is honored to be selected as a Summer 2025 awardee of the Pollinate Program, receiving $10,000 in funding from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group. This initiative represents a pioneering collaboration between The Ray and Charleston County to convert roadside public lands into thriving ecosystems that benefit both people and the natural environment. Read the full story.

Announcing the Winner of the Carbon Reduction Challenge

The 2025 Carbon Reduction Challenge, cohosted by the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business and the Georgia Tech College of Sciences, brings together students, alumni, and community and industry leaders to tackle pressing environmental issues through creative initiatives and sustainable practices. First place was awarded to Georgia Tech industrial engineering major Aleena Noor, who worked on a project at Ernst and Young in Boston. Aleena saw a unique opportunity to help the consulting firm reduce their carbon footprint in an aging building. Aleena’s project focused on two aspects of the infrastructure – waste diversion and HVAC optimization. Congratulations, Aleena!

Sustainability on Tap

Hands-on, real-world experience: This is the promise of a business school practicum. For over ten years, the Sustainable Business Consulting Practicum has been lauded by students and host companies alike. “What I really liked about the practicum is that the MBA students added value by recommending concrete approaches and solutions to reducing our Scope 3 [value chain] emissions,” says Jacob Yarbrough, senior sustainability manager at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Jacob was grateful for the opportunity to work with talented students who helped the brewery to plot the path towards reaching future goals.
Read the article.

Infusing Sustainability Across the Curriculum

The Center completed its second cycle of grants through the Educational Innovation initiative, which provides support to faculty who commit to implementing sustainability into their courses and pedagogy. The goal of the community is to serve students interested in acquiring sustainable business competencies in Scheller programs, from undergraduate to graduate and executive education. Read about the course infusion.

How IGEL Is Building a Leader-Full Climate Future for Georgia

The Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL) offers a powerful, people-centered experience that brings together changemakers from across the state, enabling them to lead boldly toward a more sustainable future.

In a recent interview for the Georgia Climate Digest video interview series, longtime climate justice advocate and IGEL graduate Eriqah Vincent sat down with Monica Thornton, IGEL graduate and board member, and Beth Blalock, IGEL graduate and facilitator, to explore what makes the program so transformative, and why it’s a must for anyone serious about leading on climate solutions in Georgia. Read the blog, and watch the video.

Apply for the 2026 IGEL Class
Applications are open from now until October 3rd. Apply Here.

Grantee Spotlight: Georgia Organics & McIntosh S.E.E.D. 

Staff from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and the Sapelo Foundation recently visited Berry Family Farms, a fifth generation family farm in Long County, GA. The visit was part of a statewide tour of Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions and Equity Grant recipients.

Georgia Organics and McIntosh Sustainable Environment and Economic Development (S.E.E.D.) were in the first cohort of the Drawdown Georgia grants in 2023-24 when they received $200,000 over two years to provide education, awareness and technical assistance for 10 Coastal Georgia farmers who sought to implement climate-smart agriculture practices.

Berry Farms applied for and received a cost share from the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and received a mini-grant from the Drawdown Georgia funds, allowing them to install a 5 kW solar array to provide clean energy while reducing operating costs.
Read the full story.

The Journey Towards Net Zero

The Drawdown Georgia Business Compact – over 70 members strong – leverages the collective impact of the Georgia business community to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the state through a just, prosperous, and sustainable transition. David Eady, the Center’s director of industry engagement, was featured on the Technology Association of Georgia’s “Sustainability Talk” podcast – highlighting how business drives Georgia’s clean energy future. They had an outstanding turnout at their May 2025 All Hands Meeting, where they shared updates, facilitated meaningful connections, and discussed how to make an impact during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. Recent updates include advancing a Georgia forest carbon market, supporting a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub, and unlocking carbon credit potential in building retrofits and weatherization.

Grantee Spotlight: Green Team of English Avenue and the Westside Passive Cooling Tree Equity Partnership 

The Ray C. Anderson Foundation and Tull Charitable Foundation recently visited the Green Team of English Avenue (GTOEA), representing all of the foundations that fund the Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions & Equity Grants.

They met with the GTOEA founder, Annie Moore, as well as her co-applicants from Carinalis Consulting and Research and Climate Consortium of the Commons, along with her Community Advisory Council and other interested community leaders from the Atlanta communities of English Avenue and Vine City.

GTOEA is using its Drawdown Georgia Grant to address unequitable outcomes that have occurred through the EPA’s removal of legacy lead waste from the soil. The existing lead is a byproduct of the steel industry that once operated in the area. To date, much of the tree cover that once existed in English Avenue and Vine City has been removed, along with truckloads of topsoil. Read the full story.

Connecting the Dots Between Food Waste, Food Access, and Public Health in Georgia

A significant portion of the food we produce is wasted, ending up in landfills instead of nourishing people. This food also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and missed opportunities to support communities facing food insecurity. 

Goodr is an Atlanta-based company focused on reducing food waste and hunger. With the motto “Feed more, waste less,” Goodr helps businesses divert edible food waste from landfills by transporting it to nonprofits in food-insecure communities.

Goodr has also opened 29 school-based grocery stores and mobile markets with the goal of giving food-insecure families access to healthy meals in a stress-free and dignified shopping experience. Their newest project is the Goodr Community Market, a standalone store that offers even more opportunities. Read the full blog from Drawdown Georgia.

Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!

We’re working hard to help you and your community be ready while maintaining the reliability of our energy system—even in the event of possible wildfires. 

Here’s how we’re working year-round:

We’re watching the skies.

We work with state and national weather agencies to monitor heat, humidity and wind conditions. FEMA Red Flag Warnings let us know when to shift into high gear. 

What this means for you: We can be prepared to adjust field operations when wildfire risk levels rise and work with emergency partners from NJ Forest Fire Service and local fire fighters to local and regional OEM. 

Read more about the National Weather Service’s fire warnings and watches.  

We’re trimming trees and vegetation.

We’re always out and about trimming trees near power lines to help avoid outages – a key component of our reliability strategy.  

We’re in sync with first responders.

We don’t wait for a crisis to connect. We participate in training exercises with local fire departments and emergency management teams if and when requested. 

What this means for you: If a wildfire does happen, the right people are ready to take action – fast. 

We’re practicing like its game day.

“Wildfire preparedness isn’t seasonal anymore,” said Jorge Moya, PSE&G senior director of Emergency Preparedness. “It’s something we prepare for all year.” 

That means more drills, continuously improving plans and smoother coordination with first responders – all to protect your community. 

Your safety is our priority – every season.

Whether it’s the middle of summer or a fall day, we’re always working to stay ahead of wildfires because safety is our number one priority – for us, and for the people we serve. 

Stay connected and informed at pseg.com/WildfireSafety. 

Emergency Preparedness Tools Available

The PSEG Foundation and Sesame Workshop have partnered to create bilingual (English and Spanish), multiple media programs that help families prepare for, and respond to, emergencies and provide tools so that children can build the skills they need to become resilient. Find out more here.