Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

At just 33 years old, Adamari López was thriving in her career and had quickly become a household name. She was successful, happy, healthy and felt unstoppable. It was then that an ordinary moment changed her life. During a regular self-exam, she discovered a lump that she couldn’t ignore.

Like many women, she initially wondered if it was nothing — a hormonal change, stress, something temporary. A doctor suggested the same. But when the lump didn’t go away and pain followed, Adamari listened to her instincts and returned for further testing.

Several doctor visits and tests later, she was faced with the unexpected, but unfortunately it happens more often than one might think, even at her age: a breast cancer diagnosis. Adamari’s world quickly shifted from television studios and bright lights to doctor appointments and treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy and steps that would help preserve her fertility — choices that not only helped save her life, but helped give her the best chance at the future she knew she wanted beyond cancer. All were successful: Adamari is now a mom, cancer-free, back hard at work and mission-driven — milestones that once felt uncertain but now proudly define who Adamari is.

Survival with purpose: From patient to champion

Today, more than two decades after diagnosis, Adamari’s life is full — as a writer, television personality, mother and survivor. Her journey inspired her and shaped her purpose to help empower people to take charge of their wellness, driving the importance of being proactive and persistent when it comes to routine health care.

“My main reason for speaking openly has always been to emphasize the importance of prioritizing your health — because you never know what life may bring,” said Adamari. “By having these regular, open conversations about our health, we can have a positive impact on our families and communities to create a healthier, brighter future for everyone.”

Adamari lives by example, instilling these same principles for her daughter, Alaïa, who speaks out herself about her mom’s story. And it’s because of this unwavering commitment to helping others understand the importance of proactive health that Adamari was honored as one of Aflac’s inaugural Check for Cancer Champions — an exclusive group comprised of people who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to turning negatives into positives.

Cancer remains part of her story, not as a shadow, but as a catalyst. It reshaped how she measures success, deepened her empathy and clarified her mission. It’s a message forged in survival, delivered with urgency and hope — and one she continues to share so that others may never have to learn it on their own. At the same time, Alaïa has been recognized by Aflac as a junior Check for Cancer Champion.

Helping break down cultural barriers

For many Hispanic families, health decisions are rarely made in isolation. According to the 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey®, Hispanic men (86%) and Hispanic women (83%) are among the most likely to be swayed by a loved one urging them to act on their personal health. The study also found that one-third of U.S. Hispanics cited their mothers as their top advocate, underscoring the powerful role family plays in shaping these types of decisions.

“I’m deeply aware of how culture, language and access can shape health outcomes,” said Adamari. “I don’t just want the Latina community to be aware of the potential impact of cancer, I want them to feel empowered to have regular, open conversations, ask questions and seek care early — even if they feel fine.”

For Adamari, fostering those conversations within families, across generations and in trusted spaces is essential to breaking down barriers and building a healthier future for the communities she has long represented — just another reason why Adamari is a champion.

The Check for Cancer Champions program is part of Aflac’s Check for Cancer initiative, a bold, national movement to increase cancer screenings by 10% over 10 years. Learn more about the Check for Cancer movement by visiting Aflac.com/CheckForCancer. 

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^{Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999}

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LINCOLN, Neb., May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Impact Fund, a mission-driven investment initiative of the Arbor Day Foundation, is working to accelerate large-scale reforestation in Brazil alongside its new partner, Working Trees.

The partnership combines catalytic capital from the Arbor Day Impact Fund with Working Trees’ on‑the‑ground reforestation capabilities in order to support tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and the development of high‑integrity forestry carbon removal projects. Together, the organizations aim to help promising projects move from early development to durable, investable climate solutions.

“High‑impact reforestation projects often face a critical gap between planting trees and securing long‑term financial sustainability. We want to close that gap by pairing low-cost capital with market access,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund. “This partnership will empower us to not only help Working Trees scale faster with greater confidence, but also turn climate ambition into durable, tangible impact —rooted in trees, trust, and long‑term stewardship.”

“One of the most critical barriers facing nature-based carbon projects is the early-stage capital required before a single credit can be sold. The Arbor Day Foundation has identified this gap and taken a meaningful step toward closing it – providing the catalytic financing that allows projects like ours to get trees in the ground today, before carbon revenues materialize. Beyond the capital itself, Arbor Day’s deep relationships on the buyer side will help unlock the further commercialization of our projects at the scale this moment demands,” said Leif Gonzales-Kramer, CEO of Working Trees. “Creating systems change requires long-term partnerships – not one-off transactions. We are proud to stand alongside one of the world’s most trusted organizations in tree planting, and excited about what we can build together.”

Working Trees has significant operational experience in reforestation and land‑based climate solutions, translating investment into trees planted, new income streams for farmers, landscapes restored, and carbon sequestered.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with more than 50 years of tree planting experience. The organization specializes in fostering strong connections with corporate buyers, investors, project developers, and on-the-ground planting partners.

In addition to providing capital, the Arbor Day Foundation will help Working Trees connect its forestry carbon removal project to corporate and institutional buyers seeking credible, nature‑based climate action earlier in the project lifecycle. This can help reduce market uncertainty and strengthen project bankability, by supporting offtake discussions, aligning projects with buyer expectations, and helping translate restoration outcomes into market‑ready opportunities.

This collaboration is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to support forestry ventures that are ready to scale but underserved by traditional finance. Visit arborday.org/impact-fund to learn more.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About the Working Trees

Working Trees is a nature-based carbon project developer on a mission to mobilize the next generation of cattle ranching – where nature and producers thrive together. We partner with cattle ranchers to deploy silvopasture at the million-hectare scale, integrating trees into active grazing systems to sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and improve farmer livelihoods.

Founded at Stanford University, to-date Working Trees has deployed over 2,000 hectares of silvopasture, planting approximately 400,000 trees and distributing over $1M directly to farming families.

Working Trees aims to deploy 50,000 hectares of silvopasture by 2030 and 100M hectares by 2050. Learn more at workingtrees.com.

 

###

LINCOLN, Neb., May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Impact Fund, a mission-driven investment initiative of the Arbor Day Foundation, is working to accelerate large-scale reforestation in Brazil alongside its new partner, Working Trees.

The partnership combines catalytic capital from the Arbor Day Impact Fund with Working Trees’ on‑the‑ground reforestation capabilities in order to support tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and the development of high‑integrity forestry carbon removal projects. Together, the organizations aim to help promising projects move from early development to durable, investable climate solutions.

“High‑impact reforestation projects often face a critical gap between planting trees and securing long‑term financial sustainability. We want to close that gap by pairing low-cost capital with market access,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund. “This partnership will empower us to not only help Working Trees scale faster with greater confidence, but also turn climate ambition into durable, tangible impact —rooted in trees, trust, and long‑term stewardship.”

“One of the most critical barriers facing nature-based carbon projects is the early-stage capital required before a single credit can be sold. The Arbor Day Foundation has identified this gap and taken a meaningful step toward closing it – providing the catalytic financing that allows projects like ours to get trees in the ground today, before carbon revenues materialize. Beyond the capital itself, Arbor Day’s deep relationships on the buyer side will help unlock the further commercialization of our projects at the scale this moment demands,” said Leif Gonzales-Kramer, CEO of Working Trees. “Creating systems change requires long-term partnerships – not one-off transactions. We are proud to stand alongside one of the world’s most trusted organizations in tree planting, and excited about what we can build together.”

Working Trees has significant operational experience in reforestation and land‑based climate solutions, translating investment into trees planted, new income streams for farmers, landscapes restored, and carbon sequestered.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with more than 50 years of tree planting experience. The organization specializes in fostering strong connections with corporate buyers, investors, project developers, and on-the-ground planting partners.

In addition to providing capital, the Arbor Day Foundation will help Working Trees connect its forestry carbon removal project to corporate and institutional buyers seeking credible, nature‑based climate action earlier in the project lifecycle. This can help reduce market uncertainty and strengthen project bankability, by supporting offtake discussions, aligning projects with buyer expectations, and helping translate restoration outcomes into market‑ready opportunities.

This collaboration is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to support forestry ventures that are ready to scale but underserved by traditional finance. Visit arborday.org/impact-fund to learn more.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About the Working Trees

Working Trees is a nature-based carbon project developer on a mission to mobilize the next generation of cattle ranching – where nature and producers thrive together. We partner with cattle ranchers to deploy silvopasture at the million-hectare scale, integrating trees into active grazing systems to sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and improve farmer livelihoods.

Founded at Stanford University, to-date Working Trees has deployed over 2,000 hectares of silvopasture, planting approximately 400,000 trees and distributing over $1M directly to farming families.

Working Trees aims to deploy 50,000 hectares of silvopasture by 2030 and 100M hectares by 2050. Learn more at workingtrees.com.

 

###

LINCOLN, Neb., May 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The Arbor Day Impact Fund, a mission-driven investment initiative of the Arbor Day Foundation, is working to accelerate large-scale reforestation in Brazil alongside its new partner, Working Trees.

The partnership combines catalytic capital from the Arbor Day Impact Fund with Working Trees’ on‑the‑ground reforestation capabilities in order to support tree planting, ecosystem restoration, and the development of high‑integrity forestry carbon removal projects. Together, the organizations aim to help promising projects move from early development to durable, investable climate solutions.

“High‑impact reforestation projects often face a critical gap between planting trees and securing long‑term financial sustainability. We want to close that gap by pairing low-cost capital with market access,” said Pete Davis, Managing Director of the Arbor Day Impact Fund. “This partnership will empower us to not only help Working Trees scale faster with greater confidence, but also turn climate ambition into durable, tangible impact —rooted in trees, trust, and long‑term stewardship.”

“One of the most critical barriers facing nature-based carbon projects is the early-stage capital required before a single credit can be sold. The Arbor Day Foundation has identified this gap and taken a meaningful step toward closing it – providing the catalytic financing that allows projects like ours to get trees in the ground today, before carbon revenues materialize. Beyond the capital itself, Arbor Day’s deep relationships on the buyer side will help unlock the further commercialization of our projects at the scale this moment demands,” said Leif Gonzales-Kramer, CEO of Working Trees. “Creating systems change requires long-term partnerships – not one-off transactions. We are proud to stand alongside one of the world’s most trusted organizations in tree planting, and excited about what we can build together.”

Working Trees has significant operational experience in reforestation and land‑based climate solutions, translating investment into trees planted, new income streams for farmers, landscapes restored, and carbon sequestered.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit with more than 50 years of tree planting experience. The organization specializes in fostering strong connections with corporate buyers, investors, project developers, and on-the-ground planting partners.

In addition to providing capital, the Arbor Day Foundation will help Working Trees connect its forestry carbon removal project to corporate and institutional buyers seeking credible, nature‑based climate action earlier in the project lifecycle. This can help reduce market uncertainty and strengthen project bankability, by supporting offtake discussions, aligning projects with buyer expectations, and helping translate restoration outcomes into market‑ready opportunities.

This collaboration is part of the Foundation’s broader effort to support forestry ventures that are ready to scale but underserved by traditional finance. Visit arborday.org/impact-fund to learn more.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About the Working Trees

Working Trees is a nature-based carbon project developer on a mission to mobilize the next generation of cattle ranching – where nature and producers thrive together. We partner with cattle ranchers to deploy silvopasture at the million-hectare scale, integrating trees into active grazing systems to sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and improve farmer livelihoods.

Founded at Stanford University, to-date Working Trees has deployed over 2,000 hectares of silvopasture, planting approximately 400,000 trees and distributing over $1M directly to farming families.

Working Trees aims to deploy 50,000 hectares of silvopasture by 2030 and 100M hectares by 2050. Learn more at workingtrees.com.

 

###

This article is authored by Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies.

As AI adoption accelerates and global digital demand skyrockets, data centers are becoming some of the world’s most energy-intensive facilities. Improving data center energy efficiency has never been more essential. That’s why Trane Technologies is proud to be a member of the Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems (ES2), a National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center that is reshaping how data centers operate.

ES2 brings together academia, government and industry to develop next-generation methods for optimizing electronic systems —  reducing energy use, improving cooling performance and enabling the sustainable, high-density digital infrastructure the world relies on.

Through research funding and advisory board participation, our membership in ES2 underscores our commitment to climate innovation and our role in advancing data center decarbonization.

Why energy-smart data centers are critical for a sustainable future

Modern data centers face a new set of challenges: higher thermal loads, AI-driven compute spikes, rising energy costs and the need for low-carbon operations. Improving sustainability and performance requires both efficiency and intelligent resource management.

ES2 addresses these needs by researching systems and controls that:

• reduce cooling energy consumption
• improve data center thermal management energy efficiency
• enable higher server density
• support low-carbon operations
• increase operational resilience

“The conversation around sustainable data centers has shifted. It’s no longer about whether we should optimize data center performance — it’s about how quickly we can deploy smarter, more sustainable solutions.”

Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies

The benefits of energy smart systems

Energy smart data centers don’t just reduce emissions, they boost performance, lower operational costs and increase reliability. ES2’s research spans the full ecosystem of data center cooling, power distribution and intelligent controls, delivering real-world solutions that create measurable impact. Key areas of research include:

1. Holistic IT Load Management and Predictive Control

Advanced algorithms forecast workloads and distribute computing across the ideal number of servers. This minimizes energy waste and ensures cooling is aligned with real-time IT demand — essential for supporting high-power AI systems efficiently.

2. Advanced Air Cooling Technologies

ES2 models airflow, containment, active tiles and close-coupled cooling to enhance data center air management. Validated predictive models help operators dynamically adjust airflow and temperature for optimal performance.

3. Intelligent Thermal Controls

By incorporating real-time sensor data (temperature, pressure, airflow), ES2 researchers develop AI-enabled controls that improve cooling strategies, enhance reliability and reduce operating costs.

4. Warm Water Liquid Cooling

High-density compute environments demand more efficient solutions. Research into warm water liquid cooling enables compressorless systems and reduced energy use — ideal for AI clusters and dense server racks.

5. Two-phase and Immersion Cooling

As rack power increases, immersion and two-phase cooling help push performance boundaries. ES2 advances evaporator performance and immersion system design to support next-generation chips and AI workloads.

6. Waste Heat Recovery

Data centers generate substantial thermal energy. ES2 explores ways to capture and reuse this heat, reducing energy loads and supporting circular thermal systems.

7. Power Distribution and Energy Storage

Optimized power electronics and control systems support peak shaving, first-level backup and improved energy efficiency across the entire facility.

8. Embedded Cooling

Chip-level cooling research explores advanced direct contact technologies to improve heat transfer at the module and component level — crucial for enabling future high-power processors.

9. Data Center Environmental Metrics

Tools like ES2’s open source Data Center Environmental Calculator help organizations measure Scope 3 carbon and water scarcity impacts, enabling more strategic sustainability planning.

ES2 in Action: Real-world impact for digital infrastructure

Just as electrification is transforming buildings and transport, ES2 is transforming the digital backbone of our economy. ES2 research enables:

• improved energy efficiency for high-density racks
• lower total cooling energy use
• smarter controls for fluctuating compute demands
• solutions that support renewable-powered operations
• greater resilience in the face of rising energy costs

These advancements help data centers achieve sustainability goals while maintaining the performance and uptime modern workloads require.

What’s next for sustainable data center design?

The next era of digital infrastructure will be defined by AI-optimized data center cooling, low-carbon thermal management systems, advanced liquid cooling technologies, integrated power and cooling controls and high-density, high-efficiency compute environments

ES2 is leading the research that makes these innovations possible. With high-temperature liquid cooling, predictive control systems and real-time optimization, the future of sustainable data center technology is already taking shape.

Every breakthrough developed through ES2 brings us closer to a world where data centers are high-performing, low-carbon and resilient. By designing for efficiency and sustainability today, we enable the digital infrastructure needed for tomorrow’s economy.

Learn more about ES2’s research and its impact on the future of sustainable digital infrastructure.

This article is authored by Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies.

As AI adoption accelerates and global digital demand skyrockets, data centers are becoming some of the world’s most energy-intensive facilities. Improving data center energy efficiency has never been more essential. That’s why Trane Technologies is proud to be a member of the Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems (ES2), a National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center that is reshaping how data centers operate.

ES2 brings together academia, government and industry to develop next-generation methods for optimizing electronic systems —  reducing energy use, improving cooling performance and enabling the sustainable, high-density digital infrastructure the world relies on.

Through research funding and advisory board participation, our membership in ES2 underscores our commitment to climate innovation and our role in advancing data center decarbonization.

Why energy-smart data centers are critical for a sustainable future

Modern data centers face a new set of challenges: higher thermal loads, AI-driven compute spikes, rising energy costs and the need for low-carbon operations. Improving sustainability and performance requires both efficiency and intelligent resource management.

ES2 addresses these needs by researching systems and controls that:

• reduce cooling energy consumption
• improve data center thermal management energy efficiency
• enable higher server density
• support low-carbon operations
• increase operational resilience

“The conversation around sustainable data centers has shifted. It’s no longer about whether we should optimize data center performance — it’s about how quickly we can deploy smarter, more sustainable solutions.”

Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies

The benefits of energy smart systems

Energy smart data centers don’t just reduce emissions, they boost performance, lower operational costs and increase reliability. ES2’s research spans the full ecosystem of data center cooling, power distribution and intelligent controls, delivering real-world solutions that create measurable impact. Key areas of research include:

1. Holistic IT Load Management and Predictive Control

Advanced algorithms forecast workloads and distribute computing across the ideal number of servers. This minimizes energy waste and ensures cooling is aligned with real-time IT demand — essential for supporting high-power AI systems efficiently.

2. Advanced Air Cooling Technologies

ES2 models airflow, containment, active tiles and close-coupled cooling to enhance data center air management. Validated predictive models help operators dynamically adjust airflow and temperature for optimal performance.

3. Intelligent Thermal Controls

By incorporating real-time sensor data (temperature, pressure, airflow), ES2 researchers develop AI-enabled controls that improve cooling strategies, enhance reliability and reduce operating costs.

4. Warm Water Liquid Cooling

High-density compute environments demand more efficient solutions. Research into warm water liquid cooling enables compressorless systems and reduced energy use — ideal for AI clusters and dense server racks.

5. Two-phase and Immersion Cooling

As rack power increases, immersion and two-phase cooling help push performance boundaries. ES2 advances evaporator performance and immersion system design to support next-generation chips and AI workloads.

6. Waste Heat Recovery

Data centers generate substantial thermal energy. ES2 explores ways to capture and reuse this heat, reducing energy loads and supporting circular thermal systems.

7. Power Distribution and Energy Storage

Optimized power electronics and control systems support peak shaving, first-level backup and improved energy efficiency across the entire facility.

8. Embedded Cooling

Chip-level cooling research explores advanced direct contact technologies to improve heat transfer at the module and component level — crucial for enabling future high-power processors.

9. Data Center Environmental Metrics

Tools like ES2’s open source Data Center Environmental Calculator help organizations measure Scope 3 carbon and water scarcity impacts, enabling more strategic sustainability planning.

ES2 in Action: Real-world impact for digital infrastructure

Just as electrification is transforming buildings and transport, ES2 is transforming the digital backbone of our economy. ES2 research enables:

• improved energy efficiency for high-density racks
• lower total cooling energy use
• smarter controls for fluctuating compute demands
• solutions that support renewable-powered operations
• greater resilience in the face of rising energy costs

These advancements help data centers achieve sustainability goals while maintaining the performance and uptime modern workloads require.

What’s next for sustainable data center design?

The next era of digital infrastructure will be defined by AI-optimized data center cooling, low-carbon thermal management systems, advanced liquid cooling technologies, integrated power and cooling controls and high-density, high-efficiency compute environments

ES2 is leading the research that makes these innovations possible. With high-temperature liquid cooling, predictive control systems and real-time optimization, the future of sustainable data center technology is already taking shape.

Every breakthrough developed through ES2 brings us closer to a world where data centers are high-performing, low-carbon and resilient. By designing for efficiency and sustainability today, we enable the digital infrastructure needed for tomorrow’s economy.

Learn more about ES2’s research and its impact on the future of sustainable digital infrastructure.

This article is authored by Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies.

As AI adoption accelerates and global digital demand skyrockets, data centers are becoming some of the world’s most energy-intensive facilities. Improving data center energy efficiency has never been more essential. That’s why Trane Technologies is proud to be a member of the Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems (ES2), a National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center that is reshaping how data centers operate.

ES2 brings together academia, government and industry to develop next-generation methods for optimizing electronic systems —  reducing energy use, improving cooling performance and enabling the sustainable, high-density digital infrastructure the world relies on.

Through research funding and advisory board participation, our membership in ES2 underscores our commitment to climate innovation and our role in advancing data center decarbonization.

Why energy-smart data centers are critical for a sustainable future

Modern data centers face a new set of challenges: higher thermal loads, AI-driven compute spikes, rising energy costs and the need for low-carbon operations. Improving sustainability and performance requires both efficiency and intelligent resource management.

ES2 addresses these needs by researching systems and controls that:

• reduce cooling energy consumption
• improve data center thermal management energy efficiency
• enable higher server density
• support low-carbon operations
• increase operational resilience

“The conversation around sustainable data centers has shifted. It’s no longer about whether we should optimize data center performance — it’s about how quickly we can deploy smarter, more sustainable solutions.”

Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies

The benefits of energy smart systems

Energy smart data centers don’t just reduce emissions, they boost performance, lower operational costs and increase reliability. ES2’s research spans the full ecosystem of data center cooling, power distribution and intelligent controls, delivering real-world solutions that create measurable impact. Key areas of research include:

1. Holistic IT Load Management and Predictive Control

Advanced algorithms forecast workloads and distribute computing across the ideal number of servers. This minimizes energy waste and ensures cooling is aligned with real-time IT demand — essential for supporting high-power AI systems efficiently.

2. Advanced Air Cooling Technologies

ES2 models airflow, containment, active tiles and close-coupled cooling to enhance data center air management. Validated predictive models help operators dynamically adjust airflow and temperature for optimal performance.

3. Intelligent Thermal Controls

By incorporating real-time sensor data (temperature, pressure, airflow), ES2 researchers develop AI-enabled controls that improve cooling strategies, enhance reliability and reduce operating costs.

4. Warm Water Liquid Cooling

High-density compute environments demand more efficient solutions. Research into warm water liquid cooling enables compressorless systems and reduced energy use — ideal for AI clusters and dense server racks.

5. Two-phase and Immersion Cooling

As rack power increases, immersion and two-phase cooling help push performance boundaries. ES2 advances evaporator performance and immersion system design to support next-generation chips and AI workloads.

6. Waste Heat Recovery

Data centers generate substantial thermal energy. ES2 explores ways to capture and reuse this heat, reducing energy loads and supporting circular thermal systems.

7. Power Distribution and Energy Storage

Optimized power electronics and control systems support peak shaving, first-level backup and improved energy efficiency across the entire facility.

8. Embedded Cooling

Chip-level cooling research explores advanced direct contact technologies to improve heat transfer at the module and component level — crucial for enabling future high-power processors.

9. Data Center Environmental Metrics

Tools like ES2’s open source Data Center Environmental Calculator help organizations measure Scope 3 carbon and water scarcity impacts, enabling more strategic sustainability planning.

ES2 in Action: Real-world impact for digital infrastructure

Just as electrification is transforming buildings and transport, ES2 is transforming the digital backbone of our economy. ES2 research enables:

• improved energy efficiency for high-density racks
• lower total cooling energy use
• smarter controls for fluctuating compute demands
• solutions that support renewable-powered operations
• greater resilience in the face of rising energy costs

These advancements help data centers achieve sustainability goals while maintaining the performance and uptime modern workloads require.

What’s next for sustainable data center design?

The next era of digital infrastructure will be defined by AI-optimized data center cooling, low-carbon thermal management systems, advanced liquid cooling technologies, integrated power and cooling controls and high-density, high-efficiency compute environments

ES2 is leading the research that makes these innovations possible. With high-temperature liquid cooling, predictive control systems and real-time optimization, the future of sustainable data center technology is already taking shape.

Every breakthrough developed through ES2 brings us closer to a world where data centers are high-performing, low-carbon and resilient. By designing for efficiency and sustainability today, we enable the digital infrastructure needed for tomorrow’s economy.

Learn more about ES2’s research and its impact on the future of sustainable digital infrastructure.

This article is authored by Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies.

As AI adoption accelerates and global digital demand skyrockets, data centers are becoming some of the world’s most energy-intensive facilities. Improving data center energy efficiency has never been more essential. That’s why Trane Technologies is proud to be a member of the Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems (ES2), a National Science Foundation Industry and University Cooperative Research Center that is reshaping how data centers operate.

ES2 brings together academia, government and industry to develop next-generation methods for optimizing electronic systems —  reducing energy use, improving cooling performance and enabling the sustainable, high-density digital infrastructure the world relies on.

Through research funding and advisory board participation, our membership in ES2 underscores our commitment to climate innovation and our role in advancing data center decarbonization.

Why energy-smart data centers are critical for a sustainable future

Modern data centers face a new set of challenges: higher thermal loads, AI-driven compute spikes, rising energy costs and the need for low-carbon operations. Improving sustainability and performance requires both efficiency and intelligent resource management.

ES2 addresses these needs by researching systems and controls that:

• reduce cooling energy consumption
• improve data center thermal management energy efficiency
• enable higher server density
• support low-carbon operations
• increase operational resilience

“The conversation around sustainable data centers has shifted. It’s no longer about whether we should optimize data center performance — it’s about how quickly we can deploy smarter, more sustainable solutions.”

Hillary Gray, Director of Innovation, Trane Technologies

The benefits of energy smart systems

Energy smart data centers don’t just reduce emissions, they boost performance, lower operational costs and increase reliability. ES2’s research spans the full ecosystem of data center cooling, power distribution and intelligent controls, delivering real-world solutions that create measurable impact. Key areas of research include:

1. Holistic IT Load Management and Predictive Control

Advanced algorithms forecast workloads and distribute computing across the ideal number of servers. This minimizes energy waste and ensures cooling is aligned with real-time IT demand — essential for supporting high-power AI systems efficiently.

2. Advanced Air Cooling Technologies

ES2 models airflow, containment, active tiles and close-coupled cooling to enhance data center air management. Validated predictive models help operators dynamically adjust airflow and temperature for optimal performance.

3. Intelligent Thermal Controls

By incorporating real-time sensor data (temperature, pressure, airflow), ES2 researchers develop AI-enabled controls that improve cooling strategies, enhance reliability and reduce operating costs.

4. Warm Water Liquid Cooling

High-density compute environments demand more efficient solutions. Research into warm water liquid cooling enables compressorless systems and reduced energy use — ideal for AI clusters and dense server racks.

5. Two-phase and Immersion Cooling

As rack power increases, immersion and two-phase cooling help push performance boundaries. ES2 advances evaporator performance and immersion system design to support next-generation chips and AI workloads.

6. Waste Heat Recovery

Data centers generate substantial thermal energy. ES2 explores ways to capture and reuse this heat, reducing energy loads and supporting circular thermal systems.

7. Power Distribution and Energy Storage

Optimized power electronics and control systems support peak shaving, first-level backup and improved energy efficiency across the entire facility.

8. Embedded Cooling

Chip-level cooling research explores advanced direct contact technologies to improve heat transfer at the module and component level — crucial for enabling future high-power processors.

9. Data Center Environmental Metrics

Tools like ES2’s open source Data Center Environmental Calculator help organizations measure Scope 3 carbon and water scarcity impacts, enabling more strategic sustainability planning.

ES2 in Action: Real-world impact for digital infrastructure

Just as electrification is transforming buildings and transport, ES2 is transforming the digital backbone of our economy. ES2 research enables:

• improved energy efficiency for high-density racks
• lower total cooling energy use
• smarter controls for fluctuating compute demands
• solutions that support renewable-powered operations
• greater resilience in the face of rising energy costs

These advancements help data centers achieve sustainability goals while maintaining the performance and uptime modern workloads require.

What’s next for sustainable data center design?

The next era of digital infrastructure will be defined by AI-optimized data center cooling, low-carbon thermal management systems, advanced liquid cooling technologies, integrated power and cooling controls and high-density, high-efficiency compute environments

ES2 is leading the research that makes these innovations possible. With high-temperature liquid cooling, predictive control systems and real-time optimization, the future of sustainable data center technology is already taking shape.

Every breakthrough developed through ES2 brings us closer to a world where data centers are high-performing, low-carbon and resilient. By designing for efficiency and sustainability today, we enable the digital infrastructure needed for tomorrow’s economy.

Learn more about ES2’s research and its impact on the future of sustainable digital infrastructure.

May 8, 2026 /3BL/ – Bacardi, the world’s largest family-owned spirits company, announces the launch in Mexico of Shake Your Future, a program that transforms the lives of young adults by offering free mixology training and a path to formal employment as a professional bartender.

The program arrives in Mexico at a crucial time. According to INEGI data, although there are more than 30 million young people in the country, a large proportion of them face obstacles in accessing stable job opportunities. With the rate of informal employment and unemployment among 20-29 year olds reaching 44%, young people have limited opportunities for professional development. Bacardi has launched Shake Your Future to improve this situation for a small group of lucky individuals.

“Today, with Shake Your Future, we are training the next generation of talented bartenders and providing them with a platform for their personal and professional development,” says Daniel Aliaga, VP and Managing Director, Bacardi Latin America and the Caribbean. “It reflects our values ​​and our confidence in the unlimited potential of Mexican youth to further elevate the country’s renowned hospitality industry.”

Shake Your Future is an intensive, month-long program—completely free of charge—that immerses participants in the art of mixology and customer service. The first 10 students to participate in the program were selected with the support of YouthBuild, a non-profit organization that promotes opportunities for young people and helps them achieve their goals and aspirations.

The training culminates in an internationally recognized qualification awarded by the prestigious European Bartender School.

The program, which was first launched in France in 2018, has proven successful in markets around the world, including Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa, helping hundreds of graduates find employment and develop professional careers. Participants learn to master the art of mixology using iconic brands from the Bacardi portfolio—including BACARDÍ rum, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, PATRÓN tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, and ST-GERMAIN liqueur—while developing the essential interpersonal skills to succeed in the industry.

After completing the course, each graduate receives support from Bacardi in accessing job opportunities within Mexico’s vibrant bar and restaurant community.

The choice of Mexico to expand Shake Your Future is strategic. The hospitality industry is a pillar of the national economy, representing nearly 8.7% of GDP and generating millions of jobs. Mexico’s influence on cocktail culture is also growing, as the country is now home to several of the world’s best cocktail bars, including Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, which was named the world’s number one bar in 2024.

“The demand for bartenders with the skills needed to make amazing cocktails has never been higher,” says Ricardo Nava, co-owner of another of the country’s top cocktail bars, Mexico City’s Bar Mauro. “With Shake Your Future, Bacardi is helping to attract new talent to a sector that will only continue to grow.”

This launch marks a new chapter in the long history of Bacardi in Mexico and underscores its ongoing commitment to Corporate Sustainability to protect people and the planet. Bacardi supports local causes, collaborations, and programs to boost employability and job opportunities in its communities.

To learn more about how Bacardi is doing the right thing, visit www.bacardilimited.com/CS and, for more information about the Shake Your Future program, visit: www.bacardilimited.com/cs/shakeyourfuture

ENDS

Media enquiries: Andrew Carney, acarney@bacardi.com

Always drink responsibly.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 164 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

May 8, 2026 /3BL/ – Bacardi, the world’s largest family-owned spirits company, announces the launch in Mexico of Shake Your Future, a program that transforms the lives of young adults by offering free mixology training and a path to formal employment as a professional bartender.

The program arrives in Mexico at a crucial time. According to INEGI data, although there are more than 30 million young people in the country, a large proportion of them face obstacles in accessing stable job opportunities. With the rate of informal employment and unemployment among 20-29 year olds reaching 44%, young people have limited opportunities for professional development. Bacardi has launched Shake Your Future to improve this situation for a small group of lucky individuals.

“Today, with Shake Your Future, we are training the next generation of talented bartenders and providing them with a platform for their personal and professional development,” says Daniel Aliaga, VP and Managing Director, Bacardi Latin America and the Caribbean. “It reflects our values ​​and our confidence in the unlimited potential of Mexican youth to further elevate the country’s renowned hospitality industry.”

Shake Your Future is an intensive, month-long program—completely free of charge—that immerses participants in the art of mixology and customer service. The first 10 students to participate in the program were selected with the support of YouthBuild, a non-profit organization that promotes opportunities for young people and helps them achieve their goals and aspirations.

The training culminates in an internationally recognized qualification awarded by the prestigious European Bartender School.

The program, which was first launched in France in 2018, has proven successful in markets around the world, including Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa, helping hundreds of graduates find employment and develop professional careers. Participants learn to master the art of mixology using iconic brands from the Bacardi portfolio—including BACARDÍ rum, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, PATRÓN tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, and ST-GERMAIN liqueur—while developing the essential interpersonal skills to succeed in the industry.

After completing the course, each graduate receives support from Bacardi in accessing job opportunities within Mexico’s vibrant bar and restaurant community.

The choice of Mexico to expand Shake Your Future is strategic. The hospitality industry is a pillar of the national economy, representing nearly 8.7% of GDP and generating millions of jobs. Mexico’s influence on cocktail culture is also growing, as the country is now home to several of the world’s best cocktail bars, including Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy, which was named the world’s number one bar in 2024.

“The demand for bartenders with the skills needed to make amazing cocktails has never been higher,” says Ricardo Nava, co-owner of another of the country’s top cocktail bars, Mexico City’s Bar Mauro. “With Shake Your Future, Bacardi is helping to attract new talent to a sector that will only continue to grow.”

This launch marks a new chapter in the long history of Bacardi in Mexico and underscores its ongoing commitment to Corporate Sustainability to protect people and the planet. Bacardi supports local causes, collaborations, and programs to boost employability and job opportunities in its communities.

To learn more about how Bacardi is doing the right thing, visit www.bacardilimited.com/CS and, for more information about the Shake Your Future program, visit: www.bacardilimited.com/cs/shakeyourfuture

ENDS

Media enquiries: Andrew Carney, acarney@bacardi.com

Always drink responsibly.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 164 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs more than 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.