Author: sHq_LoGiNz

SHANGHAI, March 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — International Women’s Day is an annual occasion to extend blessings to women around the world. Recently, Soul App, a leading AI+ immersive social platform in China, together with its research arm Just So Soul Institute, published the Soul App Report on the Life Status and Self-Pleasing Consumption of Gen Z Women. Drawing on a validated sample of 2,618 female users, 97% of whom belong to Generation Z, the report shows that today’s young women are increasingly prioritizing internal order over external labels.

I. Rediscovering the Authentic Self

Over 60% of respondents said they feel indifferent toward labels like “queen.” That sentiment is especially pronounced among post-2000s women, where only 16.12% find such terms appealing. The findings point to a growing wariness among young women about excessive labeling. Rather than outright rejecting festive greetings, they simply want to be seen and understood as authentic individuals.

In terms of lifestyle, more than 87% of respondents agree that taking an “intermittent mental pause” is a necessary form of psychological self-care. When energy reserves run low, “unplugging” becomes a necessity. Whether through solitary strolls or an information detox, Gen Z women are prioritizing mental well-being as a way to reset their pace. For them, a pause is not a withdrawal; it is a replenishment. It is the essential gathering of strength for the long haul.

When it comes to personal growth, only 10.89% of respondents maintain a high frequency of skill-based investments. Most prefer to plan their development at their own pace. They do not shy away from competition or progress, but seek a balance between realistic conditions and personal goals, emphasizing steady advancement over blind conformity. It’s worth noting that, according to the data, Gen Z women are particularly drawn to narratives about empowered women and are looking for more inspiring figures to look up to.

II. Heart over Hype

The sample predominantly consists of women who are either still in school or in the early stages of their careers. Yet, they demonstrate considerable maturity in value judgment and boundary setting.

The report shows that 70% of post-2000s women consider “comfort and a sense of meaning in work” as important factors. In the context of widespread AI adoption, more than half of respondents earning over RMB 10,000 per month frequently use AI tools to enhance efficiency. At the same time, 47% believe that automated performance evaluations may negatively impact their sense of well-being, and over two-thirds actively seek ways to reduce algorithmic interference in their lives.

These women embrace AI-driven efficiency without sacrificing independent judgment. They refuse to be shaped by algorithms, insisting that technology should offer both utility and warmth.

Furthermore, 48% of respondents identify inner alignment as the cornerstone of personal growth. This internal shift is fueled by tangible self-investment: half of those surveyed view spending on new skills as a vital safety net. For them, growth is an intentional pursuit on their own terms, rather than a reactive escape from peer pressure.

III. The Evolution of Self-Pleasure

For today’s women, self-pleasure is undergoing a profound shift. Moving past the checkout counter, it now represents a proactive stance on mental health and personal balance.

The report reveals that 59.23% of post-2000s women are investing in “small, frivolous joys,” such as stress-relief toys and aromatherapy. These “self-pleasing” purchases act as an “emotional band-aid,” providing a vital buffer to restore mental energy. Notably, 65.92% of the respondents reported spending over RMB 2,000 on such purchases. For many, these modest indulgences are more than just shopping; they are intentional acts of emotional recharge and self-repair.

The report also highlights a structural shift in aesthetic awareness. Interestingly, 37.27% of women in lower-tier cities identify “aesthetic expression” as a core spending priority — outpacing their counterparts in first-tier hubs. This suggests that, even in contexts with varying resources, aesthetic expression remains an important form of self-affirmation. For these women, clothing choices and personal interests are not about keeping up with others, but about defining who they are in a complex world.

Ending

Soul App, a key hub for young users, has long championed the value shifts within its community. For the platform, International Women’s Day is a call for empathy and insight. By grounding its report in real-world perspectives, Soul App helps shape a more inclusive conversation, spotlighting the multifaceted lives of women today.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soul-app-releases-international-womens-day-report-gen-z-women-unplugging-to-thrive-302706366.html

SOURCE Soul App

The Much-anticipated Experience was Meticulously Designed to Ignite a Passion for Elephant Conservation

SAN DIEGO, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrated the official opening of the all-new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley. Park guests were invited to experience the much-anticipated space for the first time following an opening ceremony with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance leaders and government officials. The ceremony included remarks from San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego Councilmember Marni van Wilpert. Other city and community leaders including Escondido Mayor Dane White were in attendance.

Now open, Elephant Valley has been meticulously designed to generate greater empathy, understanding and appreciation for elephants, while igniting a desire to protect them and their native habitats. Surrounded by African savanna elephants on multiple sides, guests of all ages will encounter what it feels like to share common ground with the herd. Walking beside the world’s largest land mammal, they will notice the intricacies of the elephants’ wrinkled skin and long eyelashes, and create a connection with one of the most powerful, sensitive, and complex animals on the planet. Walking over the bridge to reach the other side of the valley, visitors will notice an elephant passageway directly beneath their feet. This underpass is similar to wildlife corridors in native habitats.

“If you talk to any of our experts here today or throughout our Alliance, they will tell you that conservation is a long-term commitment. Victories and successes are built on years, decades of focused efforts and research, and meaningful collaboration,” said Shawn Dixon, president and chief executive officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Elephant Valley not only mirrors the African grasslands—it represents the vital role San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance plays in international conservation.”

The Safari Park’s elephant herd consists of eight individuals: matriarch Swazi, Ndlulamitsi (Ndlula), Umngani, Qinisa (Nisa), Phakamile (Kami), Khosi, Mkhaya and Umzula-Zuli (Zuli). The herd’s founding members, Swazi, Ndlula and Umngani, were rescued in 2003. Elephant Valley is an immersive journey for guests to learn about the crucial role elephants serve as ecosystem engineers and better understand the nuances of the herd’s rich social structure.

At the heart of Elephant Valley is the two-story restaurant Mkutano House. Inspired by the rich and varied culinary traditions across Africa’s many regions and blending them with global influences, the restaurant offers a harmonious fusion of familiar flavors with bold notes. The Swahili word Mkutano refers to gathering with purpose. Mkutano House is uniquely positioned directly alongside one of Elephant Valley’s two expansive watering holes, a 240,000-gallon oasis where the herd wades, swims and plays—a profound experience for those who pay witness to their natural bonding behavior. Nearby, Mkutano Park serves as a gathering place to learn from educators about the awe-inspiring wildlife of the region.

“I am so proud to see Elephant Valley become one with the Safari Park today,” said Pat McTigue, interim executive director, San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “A central component of this transformative space is community. Visiting Elephant Valley gives us chance to celebrate the wonders of nature together, whether it’s the African savanna or the San Pasqual Valley. I’m excited to see how this space inspires our community to protect and connect with wildlife and wild places for years to come.”

The Elephant Valley experience will shine a spotlight on San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s global conservation partners and celebrate the vibrant cultures and local communities in Kenya where people and elephants coexist. Vibrantly beaded talking sticks representing traditional Samburu artistry are unique location markers and storytelling stopping points throughout Elephant Valley. Mkutano House is adorned with stunning artifacts hand made by BeadWORKS Kenya artisans. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is proud to partner with BeadWORKS Kenya, a social enterprise of Northern Rangelands Trust. BeadWORKS helps women artisans in seminomadic, pastoralist communities earn a reliable income using traditional beading skills passed down through generations.

The rich plant life in Elephant Valley has been curated by a team of expert horticulturists and arborists to authentically replicate the sights, sounds and smells of Africa’s diverse ecosystems, specifically the vast savanna and grasslands. More than 350 individual plants have been grown for Elephant Valley, representing rare and endangered African plants.

Elephant Valley bridges the vital work happening in San Diego to the collaborative elephant conservation initiatives San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports in the African savanna. African savanna elephants are currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species due in large part to the rise of human-elephant conflict across range countries. Research conducted in Africa and with the Safari Park’s elephant herd provide an opportunity to advance technologies and approaches to monitor and protect elephants in the wild, and support coexistence. Increasing knowledge of elephant health needs and the complexity of their social behaviors has equipped the organization and its partners with valuable insight into what successful conservation outcomes look like for the species.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is grateful for the more than 5,200 donors who have made Elephant Valley possible, including a lead gift from Denny Sanford and foundational gifts given by Stephanie Petersen, the Warren Family Foundation, Marian Frank, Gisela Hill, Nelson Millsberg, Frank and Linda Riolo, Lisa and Wayne Stelmar, Tisha Hunte Wheat, and Betty Jo Williams.

The Safari Park, spanning 1,800 acres in Escondido, California, is home to over 3,000 animals representing more than 290 species. This one-of-a-kind destination offers guests of all ages the opportunity to strengthen their connection to wildlife and the natural world. Elephant Valley is included with Safari Park admission. For more information, visit sdzsafaripark.org/elephantvalley. For weddings at Mkutano House, visit https://sdzwa.org/weddings.

PRESS ROOM: sdzwa.org/PR/elephant-valley-opening-day 

Link includes:

• B-roll and photos of the grand opening of Elephant Valley on March 5, 2026
• B-roll and photos of Elephant Valley at the Safari Park

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/san-diego-zoo-safari-park-celebrates-official-opening-of-elephant-valley-302706114.html

SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

March 14 to 21, 2026 | More than 40 countywide community events will mobilize Miami-Dade to address extreme heat, flooding, and drive local climate solutions

MIAMI, March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Miami Climate 365 (MC365), a year-round initiative that unites public, private, and community leaders to strengthen Miami-Dade’s response to climate risks, today announced the official lineup for the second annual Miami Climate Week (MCW) 2026, taking place March 14 to 21 across Miami-Dade County.

With rising temperatures, sunny-day flooding, and sea level rise increasingly reshaping daily life in South Florida, Miami Climate Week is a ground-up showcase of community-driven climate solutions that brings together community organizations, researchers, public agencies, and residents to drive real-world action.

Miami Climate Week 2026 will feature more than 40 events led by over 50 community-based organizations, universities, public agencies, and cultural institutions across Miami-Dade County. Workshops, forums, and hands-on activities throughout the week will highlight solutions such as resilient infrastructure to mitigate flooding, strategies to address extreme heat, emerging climate research, and neighborhood-level nature-based solutions.

Two major convenings will anchor the week’s programming: the Resilience 365 Conference, hosted by the University of Miami Climate Resilience Institute on March 17-18; and Impact in Action: Community Meets Research with the Resilient305 Collaborative, on March 19 at The Kampong. These events will bring together national and regional leaders, researchers, community nonprofits, and public sector partners to examine emerging approaches to climate resilience and translate research and data into practical solutions for Miami-Dade communities.

“Building resilience requires a whole-of-society approach. This year we examine the intersection of gray and green infrastructure, finance, and public health,” said Michael Berkowitz, Executive Director of the Climate Resilience Institute at the University of Miami. “Miami Climate Week and the Resilience 365 Conference create a space for researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to focus on what works. By bringing together the people generating the data with those implementing solutions on the ground, we can move from research to real-world impact.”

The week’s programming reflects the growing collaboration between research institutions, government, and community organizations working on climate solutions across the region.

“Climate action in Miami is not theoretical. It is measurable, it is local, and it is happening in real time,” said David A. Duckenfield, executive director of Miami Climate 365. “From neighborhood organizations to research institutions, leaders across Miami-Dade are working block by block to strengthen communities and advance practical solutions. Miami Climate Week highlights that progress and turns ideas into action.”

Miami Climate Week 2026 signature events include:

Climate and Culture Dialogue at The Bass (March 14): Hosted at The Bass Museum in Miami Beach, the Climate Museum and eco-artist Xavier Cortada will explore how cultural institutions can move beyond awareness to inspire climate action.

Native Ecological Preservation at The Deering Estate (March 14): Hosted at the historic Deering Estate, this volunteer planting initiative will demonstrate nature-based adaptation through the restoration of native species.

Heat Season Recap and 2026 Forecast (March 16): Hosted by Miami-Dade County, county officials and National Weather Service leadership will review last year’s heat response efforts, including the operation of 64 cooling sites and expanded outreach, and outline preparedness strategies for the upcoming season. Extreme heat remains the leading weather-related cause of death nationwide.

Resilience 365 Conference (March 17 and 18): Hosted by the University of Miami Climate Resilience Institute in Coral Gables, national and regional leaders will examine resilient housing, resilience finance, urban water management, AI and data science applications, heat health, and equitable infrastructure. The program also includes a closed-door roundtable with the chief resilience officer focused on implementation.

Impact in Action: Community Meets Research with The Resilient305 Collaborative (March 19): Held at The Kampong, this event will highlight the work of the Resilient305 Collaborative (R305C), a partnership uniting universities, community organizations, local governments, and business leaders across Greater Miami and The Beaches to advance climate research and action. The program will unveil findings from a year of collaborative research between community nonprofits and scientists from the University of Miami and Florida International University, and debut the Miami Resilience Meter, an online dashboard tracking neighborhood conditions across more than 17 indicators, including flooding frequency, heat exposure, and access to transit. The event will also invite additional nonprofits to join the Collaborative’s research network to strengthen the data and insights guiding climate solutions across Miami.

Climate Change and Women’s Health Forum (March 19): Hosted by The CLEO Institute in Miami, experts will examine how rising temperatures disproportionately affect women’s health and maternal outcomes.

Climate Migration Panel at the Historic Hampton House (March 20): Hosted at the Historic Hampton House in Brownsville, academic and human rights leaders will explore how climate impacts are driving displacement locally and globally.

Biscayne Bay Kayak Clean Up (March 21): Led by Miami Waterkeeper in Biscayne Bay, volunteers will remove marine debris from mangrove and coastal habitats while highlighting the role of community stewardship in protecting critical ecosystems.

Coastal Resilience Forum (March 21): Hosted at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in partnership with The REEFLINE, scientists, conservation leaders, and local officials will explore hybrid seawall infrastructure, coral reef restoration, and historic preservation strategies designed to address sea level rise and storm surge.

Day in the Dirt at The Underline (March 21): Hosted along Miami’s 10-mile Underline urban trail, volunteers will plant native flora that supports green infrastructure, helping reduce urban heat and improve stormwater absorption.

These events are among more than 40 community-driven activities scheduled across Miami-Dade County throughout the week. A full list of Miami Climate Week events, including full event descriptions, locations, and directions, is available at MiamiClimate365.com.

Through Miami Climate Week, MC365 connects science, public policy, and grassroots leadership to strengthen Miami-Dade’s ability to prepare for climate risks. Organizations and residents are invited to host, co-host, or participate in events that advance practical solutions and elevate local leadership.

The week also supports broader regional efforts tied to Miami-Dade County’s Risk and Resilience Tech Hub, a regional initiative advancing climate technology, research, and implementation through collaboration among government, industry, academia, and philanthropy.

The inaugural Miami Climate Week, held in March 2025, convened more than 2,600 participants across 43 events hosted by 58 partner organizations throughout the region. The first Resilience 365 Conference convened more than 100 speakers and 300 attendees to examine topics ranging from clean energy innovation to equitable climate adaptation.

About Miami Climate 365
Miami Climate 365 (MC365) is a year-round initiative focused on strengthening community-driven efforts to address environmental challenges across Miami-Dade County. The collaborative effort unites stakeholders around practical solutions to extreme heat, flooding, and related climate risks. Miami Climate Week serves as the flagship event of the MC365 initiative, showcasing progress and mobilizing action. For more information, visit www.miamiclimate365.com.

About University of Miami Climate Resilience Institute
The Climate Resilience Institute supports interdisciplinary research and education to deliver solutions to climate impacts and environmental stressors in partnership with industry, government, and community stakeholders. For more information, visit resilience.miami.edu.

About Miami Climate Week
Miami Climate Week is the signature event of Miami Climate 365, designed to mobilize residents, institutions, and organizations around collective climate action across Miami-Dade County. Through workshops, forums, and volunteer opportunities, the week strengthens partnerships and advances long-term strategies. For more information, visit www.miamiclimate365.com/about-mcweek.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/miami-climate-365-announces-event-lineup-for-miami-climate-week-2026-302706012.html

SOURCE Miami Climate 365