Tag: 3BL

We continue to celebrate International Women’s Month at Sappi! ABB has featured our very own Marjorie Boles, Group Chief Information Officer, in their three-part film series titled Unstoppable. The series highlights three women within the paper and pulp, mining, and metals industries in STEM (academic fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

We’re incredibly proud of Marjorie, who is featured as she speaks on occupying a senior role in technology in the pulp and paper industry. She shares her journey of how she took initial interest in a career in technology, and how, even as technology has advanced in leaps since she started, there is still room to grow in making the field more gender-diverse.

As part of the Unstoppable series, she and others, bring into full view the importance of diversity and inclusion, and pave the way forward for women and girls who will follow in their footsteps, ultimately  driving the next wave of innovation in STEM fields!

Though the energy transition is well underway, new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles continue to hit the roads. By 2030, over 36 million more will be sold. Even by 2040, when ZEVs are forecast to dominate new vehicle sales, ICE vehicles will continue to serve specific missions and payloads. To keep the energy transition on track, sustainable energy and fuels will help keep emissions at bay. 

But as a fleet manager surveying the range of clean transportation technologies available to you, you might ask: What is sustainable fuel?

A solution for decarbonizing internal combustion engine vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles, sustainable fuels like biofuels, renewable diesel, and hydrogen will work alongside electric vehicles to meet the diverse needs of the transportation sector.

Introduction to Sustainable Energy & Fuels

A cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels, sustainable fuels offer energy from green and renewable sources like solar or wind power, biomass, municipal waste, industrial scrap, and more. Sustainable fuels are also called alternative fuels, but not all alternative fuels are sustainable. Some notable sustainable fuels include:

Electricity BiofuelsRenewable DieselGreen HydrogenSustainable Aviation Fuel

Sustainable fuels are attractive to the transportation sector for their ability to lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels while offering a lower barrier to entry and, in some cases, higher efficiency than electric vehicles. 

They offer fewer carbon emissions, better performance, and are often comparable in cost to their conventional counterparts.  Renewable diesel, for example, can offer up to 85% lower lifecycle emissions than petroleum diesel with no required engine replacements or upgrades — meaning the fuel can be used in existing diesel vehicles. 

Booster & Sustainable Fuels

Sustainable fuels  are gaining traction as a decarbonization solution, but they are rarely available at gas stations. Out of about 145,000 fuel stations in the United States, the AFDC reports that only 5,954 carry alternative fuels (including compressed natural gas, ethanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen) — fewer than 5%. 

Mobile fueling is ready to fill the gap. This fuel delivery system makes a range of sustainable fuels available without the need for development of fixed infrastructure to support them. For example, Booster’s mobile fueling system expands access to renewable diesel, a fuel made from biomass and categorized by the U.S. Department of Energy as an emerging alternative fuel.  With Booster’s renewable diesel service — which currently fuels nearly all of our California-based fleets — fleets can realize an immediate reduction of carbon emissions without sacrificing performance.

As fleets increasingly adopt a range of sustainable solutions, many will take a mixed-energy fleet approach and slowly phase in clean vehicles, shifting the ratio of their ICE vehicles to ZEVs over time. This can complicate fueling as fleets adopt diverse energy sources to see what works best for them. Mobile fueling helps to streamline the fueling process by bringing a range of fuel sources to the fleet, with the flexibility to meet each fleet’s changing needs. 

To learn more about how Booster can help your fleet lower emissions and access sustainable fuels today, contact fleet@boosterusa.com, or go to boosterusa.com.

To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we asked female leaders across Leidos to talk about what the day means to them, the obstacles they’ve overcome and more.

March is also Women’s History Month, a great occasion to learn from women who have excelled in male-dominated professions.

Here’s some of the wisdom and advice they shared:

On embracing equity…

“Embracing equity, this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, means understanding we all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences that led us to where we are today. And because we don’t all start in the same place, our needs may differ.” – Debbie De La O, Leidos Defense Group“It’s about being brave, challenging mindsets and inertia, and understanding and truly accepting diversity.” – Kate Parr, Leidos Intelligence Group“Equity comes before equality. It’s vital that we not only provide equal opportunities for women, but also recognize there are different conditions that will make an individual successful.” – Julia Monger, Leidos Defense Group“Embracing equity means actively working to remove barriers that prevent women from accessing opportunities and resources that are essential for their success.” – Sarit Menahem, Leidos Defense Group“Embracing equity means actively demonstrating fairness in all aspects of life, both personal and professional, and recognizing everyone comes from unique backgrounds that should be respected.” – Robyn Barbour, Leidos Health Group

On celebrating International Women’s Day…

“I plan to celebrate by asking other women in my life from various generations to reflect on how the Women’s movement has evolved and impacted their lives. By hearing others’ stories, I feel it can help younger generations overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.” – Jennifer Brewer, Leidos Health Group“I would recommend everyone find someone to encourage – daughters, granddaughters, nieces or friends. It only takes a minute.” – Kritina Holden, Leidos Civil Group“I’m a big believer in paying it forward. I’ve benefitted from many mentors in my career, and I make it a point to meet with and mentor women. I plan to celebrate by making sure I check in with women in both my personal and work life.” – Debbie De La O, Leidos Defense Group

On overcoming barriers in the workplace…

“Promote your ideas and successes and ensure your voice is heard. Prepare an elevator pitch supporting those successes and include proof points. Solicit advocates, mentors and colleagues to help champion you and your voice during meetings, talent reviews and performance assessments.” – Linda Chappell, Leidos Intelligence Group“It’s important to have a mentor, but as you advance in your career, be willing to pay it forward. I’ve had many female colleagues tell me how important it is for them to see me in a leadership role because they see it’s possible for them to grow into leadership as well.” – Nan Hardin, Leidos Dynetics Group“Be assertive, find an inner confidence, work hard and do a good job. A supportive network of colleagues including mentors, coaches and peers goes a long way to encourage growth and professional development.” – Louisa Pontonio, Leidos Australia

On creating change…

“We must see opportunity in a person’s knowledge and skills before their gender, race or age. I think the world has to drive inclusiveness in everything it does for it to have a lasting impact.” – Tanisha Velez, Leidos Intelligence Group“We need to embrace change. It’s never easy to reassess our beliefs and question our motives, but true change can only come when we’re willing to self-reflect and question what we consider is acceptable. Centuries of society being comfortable with stigma, apathy and injustice is not easy to break through.” – Kate Parr, Leidos Intelligence Group

On succeeding in male-dominated fields…

“Speak up! Be visible! Ask questions, propose ideas and get involved. Show them you have a place at the table and something to contribute. Even if you think your inputs aren’t the best or your ideas go nowhere the first few times, you will be seen as a core member of the team – that is important!” – Kritina Holden, Leidos Civil Group“Don’t view yourself as an outsider. Show up every day and you’ll be rewarded.” – Kasey Meily, Leidos Health Group“Stay true to yourself. You’ll bring a different perspective to the workplace that your other team members cannot. Diversity of opinion and style is what makes any team successful.” – Kate Parr, Leidos Intelligence Group“Do the hard work to develop your subject matter expertise, be a life-long learner and stay current in your field. Trust in yourself and the hard work you’ve accomplished. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand for that next difficult assignment. Nothing will just be handed to you, so you must be willing to continue stepping outside your comfort zone.” – Debbie De La O, Leidos Defense Group“Know your goals, pick your battles, argue with respect and know your strengths and weaknesses.” – Wenonah Petersen, Leidos Health Group“Always believe that you belong, you are in the place you are meant to be, and you deserve to be there.” – Tanisha Velez, Leidos Intelligence Group“Stay the course. Being the only woman in a classroom can be intimidating, but it is important to remember you aren’t alone. There are advocates for women in STEM all around. Some are mentors and advocates in more official roles, but they are also your peers.” – Elizabeth Robertson, Leidos Dynetics Group“Get the technical degree. In addition to keeping up with your technical certifications, make sure you take training and gain experience in management and business to gain a rounded perspective and understanding. Create a network of colleagues to reach out to for support and discuss road bumps or concerns along the way. Believe in yourself!” – Linda Chappell, Leidos Intelligence Group

On how Leidos is making a difference…

“Leidos Life has afforded me the flexibility to juggle my work and personal responsibilities and I am very thankful.” – Kasey Meily, Leidos Health Group“The Leidos Women’s Network sponsors numerous women’s events and has placed a strong focus on refining them to make them as effective as possible.” – Linda Chappell, Leidos Intelligence Group“I’ve seen Leidos provide women with a roadmap to leadership, and it makes me extremely excited the company has prioritized hiring female talent.” – Tanisha Velez, Leidos Intelligence Group

Leidos has set goals to increase representation of women and ethnically diverse employees by ten percent by 2030.

Earlier this year, the company was recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity by Newsweek, earning the top diversity score of five stars.

Please contact the Leidos media relations team for more information.

World Water Day serves as a catalyst to help change the way people use and manage water. With water scarcity a growing global threat, the world must come together to accelerate change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.  

“Water is an important and valued natural resource for everyone, and it’s important for making all and using most of P&G’s products,” said Shannon Quinn, global water stewardship leader, P&G. “We have a key role to play, which is why we’re working to build a water positive future.”  

P&G’s comprehensive strategy includes reducing water in its operations, restoring water in 18 water-stressed areas around the world and responding to water challenges through innovation and partnerships. The company continues to work to use less water when making its products and to recycle more than 3 billion liters of water in its facilities every year. Working with on-the-ground partners who have a deep knowledge of local water challenges and solutions, P&G supports long-term projects that improve, manage or protect freshwater resources in areas where the company operates. 

World Water Day is grounded in collaboration and unlocking new approaches to solve water challenges. Through longstanding partnerships, P&G brings its experience in innovation and consumer understanding to advance more sustainable and equitable everyday solutions.  

Transforming Lives through the Power of Clean Water 

More than 20 years ago, P&G’s Fabric Care scientists developed a powdered water purification technology that has the power of a water treatment plant in a small 4-gram packet. Using a packet, a cloth, spoon and a bucket, 10 liters of contaminated water turns into clean drinking water in 30 minutes.  

Through its Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, P&G has collaborated with more than 150 global advocacy and implementing partners to distribute P&G’s Purifier of Water packets to people that lack access to safe drinking water in over 90 countries. The company has provided more than 20 billion liters of clean water to children and families since 2004 and continues toward its goal to deliver 25 billion liters by 2025. 

P&G also partners with organizations who are committed to delivering sustainable solutions, including the Pamoja project and Waterboys, an initiative run by the Chris Long Foundation, that builds solar-powered, deep borehole wells in East Africa. 

Making 50 Liters of Water Feel Like 500 

P&G is using its water chemistry expertise and water-efficient products to make everyday living more sustainable as founding members of the 50 Liter Home Coalition, a global collaborative of public, private and non-governmental organization leaders whose goal is to reinvent the future of urban water use.  

P&G and its brands are developing innovations that reduce, reuse or eliminate water to help create a resilient, low-carbon water future where 50 liters of daily water use per person feels like 500 – the average per capita daily household water use in some parts of the world.   

Enabling People to Reduce their Water Footprint at Home 

P&G continues to create products that deliver superior performance while also enabling its consumers to save water at home: 

Cascade Platinum: Cascade encourages people to skip pre-rinsing dishes and run the dishwasher. The dishwasher uses four gallons of water per cycle, while the sink can use that same amount in just two minutes. And with a formula containing enzymes that latch on to and break down food particles, Cascade Platinum delivers a superior clean without the pre-wash1.  By skipping the sink and choosing the dishwasher, households can save up to 100 gallons of water per week2. Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray: This product’s spray-activated suds eliminate the need for water when hand washing dishes until the final rinse – cutting the amount of water used compared to traditional dish soaps by up to 50%3.  Pantene and Rejoice: These No Rinse Conditioners condition hair without water. People apply the light and fast-absorbing formula outside of the shower on damp or dry hair, leaving hair more manageable and softer to the touch so it can be dried and styled as usual. 

P&G wants to help build a Water Positive Future that can sustain people and nature, now and for generations to come, while continuing to grow its understanding of the complex challenges facing the world’s water resources.  

150% more cleaning ingredients vs. Cascade Complete ActionPacsTM 
2 With Energy Star certified dishwasher vs. washing dishes at a running sink for 11 minutes per day 

3 When used as instructed, compared to the water used when running the tap continually to hand wash dishes 

Mira Sahney admits she always had a curious mind and love for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  But she discovered early in her career that engineering could foster a deeper calling: benefiting humanity.

That realization continues to drive Sahney’s work — including her commitment to expanding health care access, the drive to innovate, and elevating women and those with diverse backgrounds in their careers.

Inspired by a mentor

Sahney’s career experiences positioned her perfectly for her role at Medtronic: president of the company’s Pelvic Health business. Her varied roles include working as a design engineer on military airplanes, serving as CEO of a startup, and co-founding a neuro-robotics company during her graduate studies at MIT. That company is now publicly traded. 

But there’s one early career mentor who still sticks with Sahney.

“Air Gun Annie” was a well-respected female engineer leader in a male-dominated workplace who helped Sahney — a General Motors intern at the time — forge relationships with technicians and union workers who were all men. When she learned Sahney didn’t know how to drive stick shift, “Air Gun Annie” taught her how on the GM test track afterhours.

“She really included me in everything and that had a profound impact on me, my career, and my confidence,” Sahney said.

Moving to healthcare technology

Later in her career Sahney built a women’s health business by working with physicians to develop and commercialize innovative products that was sold to Medtronic in 2016.

Even before then, Medtronic was in the back of Sahney’s mind. She still has a red, heart-shaped Medtronic stress ball from a career fair — now about 25 years old. When the opportunity to join Medtronic surfaced, it was a challenge she welcomed.

“Medtronic already did the rocket science part of it, stimulating the sacral nerve to control the bladder and bowel function,” she said of our product, InterStimTM. “But to take that from something that’s not well known, yet tremendously successful, and bring to the mainstream population — and the challenge to make the therapy even more appealing for physicians and patients — that was really exciting for me.” 

Despite the widespread prevalence of bladder and bowel control problems (it’s more common than asthma, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or breast cancer in the U.S.), it is largely absent from health conversations. People often go years before bringing it up to their doctor due to embarrassment and social stigma.

Everyone working in the pelvic health field feels an obligation to raise awareness about life-changing health care for what can be a serious medical condition, Sahney said.

Breaking down barriers

Putting patients at the center not only helps Medtronic understand barriers to access, but it’s also propelling the business forward, Sahney said.

In 2022, the Pelvic Health Operating Unit launched a pivotal study of a new implantable tibial neuromodulation therapy in people with overactive bladder. The tibial implant, which is still investigational, could be done in a doctor’s office rather than an operating room.

“That would not only reduce the total cost of care to the system and has the potential to provide greater access globally. It also reduces the adoption barrier for patients,” Sahney said.

More than 25 years after “Air Gun Annie” took Sahney under her wing, the medtech leader remains committed to paying it forward.

In 2022, Medtech Women honored Sahney with the Ferolyn Powell Leadership Award, which recognizes commitment to patients, mentoring others, and advancing diversity in the field.

And Sahney remains committed to breaking down barriers for women on the home front; she was recently named co-chair of Medtronic Women’s Network — a position she’s “thrilled” to serve in. And perhaps one she’s been working toward all along.

To find out if you or a loved one may benefit from bladder or bowel control therapy, visit ControlLeaks.com.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

COLUMBUS, Ga., March 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ — Continuing its commitment to helping provide children with cancer and blood disorders comfort and tools that help them cope with mental and emotional stresses of diagnosis and treatment, The Aflac Foundation Inc. this week donated $1.5 million to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Earmarked for family support services, this year’s annual donation will help address patient mental and emotional well-being throughout 2023 and brings Aflac’s funding support of the pediatric cancer and blood disorders cause to over $166 million since 1995.

“Aflac continues to provide funding for treatment and research, but we also understand that children need more than medicine when going through a medical crisis,” said Kathelen Amos, president of The Aflac Foundation Inc. “For every child with a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis, there is a family in crisis. The needs and concerns of the parents and siblings include, but are not limited to, those directly concerning the patient. We are pleased to help fund the ever-increasing array of holistic and support services that Children’s offers to the patients and families of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.”

Aflac’s donation will help fund the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center’s 35-person Family Support Team, which includes social workers, child life specialists, non-denominational chaplains and music therapists who work in tandem with medical staff to provide therapeutic activities, positive distractions and social support for both patients and families. Major medical insurance does not typically cover family support services, leaving hospitals dependent on philanthropic support to continue the program that cost the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center $2.5 million in 2021. In the same year, Family Support Team members provided services to a majority of the more than 8,000 children receiving care at the Center, many giving support to their families, as well.

“Because a diagnosis of cancer or a blood disorder impacts all aspects of family life, the common goal of the specialists, therapists and volunteers that make up the Family Support Team is to ensure that the family feels cared for and supported as they adjust and cope, every step of the way,” said Certified Child Life Specialist Lucy Tyler, the Center’s lead Child Life Specialist in Outpatient Oncology. “We concentrate on the emotional and mental aspects of a childhood illness that, if left unaddressed, can have long-term negative effects on a child and his or her family.”

According to Tyler, across different roles, the support team offers distraction and fun through art and music, helps with schoolwork, explains medical procedures in terms a child can understand, provides a safe space to show anger or frustration, helps parents navigate and find financial resources, and more.

The latest donation by The Aflac Foundation Inc. further strengthens the company’s commitment to help support psychosocial needs of children with cancer and blood disorders such as sickle cell in addition to providing funding for treatment and research.

In 2018, after nearly two years of research with health care professionals and families, Aflac introduced My Special Aflac Duck®, the award-winning robotic companion and app designed to help patients communicate their emotions with caregivers, teach them about their treatment through medical play, provide distraction and fun with music and art, reinforce comfort and coping skills, and more.

To date, the company has given, free-of-charge, more than 22,000 My Special Aflac Ducks to children with cancer and sickle cell across the United States, Japan and Northern Ireland at a cost of more than $3.5 million to the company.

For more information about Aflac’s commitment to children with cancer and blood disorders, including how they can receive My Special Aflac Duck free of charge, visit AflacChildhoodCancer.org. To learn more about the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, go to choa.org/medical-services/cancer-and-blood-disorders. For more information about how Aflac policies help close gaps left by expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, including some associated with mental health services, go to Aflac.com.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than 67 years to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.1 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance policies in force. In 2021, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). In 2022, the company was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for the ninth year, the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 17th consecutive year, Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for the 22nd time and Bloomberg’s Gender-Equality Index for the fourth consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/espanol. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to ESG and social responsibility at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

1 LIMRA 2021 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report.

Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus and American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.

Media contact – Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com

Analyst and investor contact – David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

SOURCE Aflac

CINCINNATI, March 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Fifth Third Bank presented capital readiness grant awards last week to two Cincinnati business owners. The winners were Dr. Jamila Maddox of Cincinnati Healing Arts and Arielle Nelson of Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar, both located in Avondale.

The two business owners were among 20 selected as part of a capital readiness program in 10 neighborhoods that have received significant investment from Fifth Third Bank. Nine of the neighborhoods, including Avondale, are part of the Bank’s $180 million Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program; the other is in Detroit, where Fifth Third’s first adopted community, Gratiot/7 mile, is located.

For the capital readiness program, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity selected 20 entrepreneurs to work with the organization to stabilize and grow their businesses. Each entrepreneur will complete Business Health Assessments, access personalized learning plans through AEO’s online learning platform, RESILI™, and receive trusted guidance with AEO’s network of small business coaches. Additionally, each entrepreneur will receive $5,300 in small business grant funding from Fifth Third’s Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program.

“Business ownership is a key driver of wealth in communities and through generations. I could not think of a better way to advance the broader mission of racial equity than to support wealth creation in communities that have historically experienced wealth extraction,” says Connie Evans, President, and CEO of AEO. “By positioning Black-owned businesses to obtain capital and grow, we are empowering not just individual entrepreneurs, but entire communities to seize control of their own economic futures.”

“Small businesses like Cincinnati Healing Arts and Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar are the lifeblood of our communities,” said Tim Elsbrock, Cincinnati Region Bank President. “We are proud to support these black owned businesses through capital readiness grants and technical assistance so that they can continue to thrive and leverage these dollars to keep them in Avondale.”

“My chiropractic and nutrition wellness boutique located in the Avondale Town Center (in the heart of a low-income community) is responsive to black and brown residents whose healthcare needs are often discounted or unmet, said Dr. Jamila Maddox, owner of Cincinnati Healing Arts LLC. “The Empowering Black Futures Program will enable me to continue providing timely patient education and healthcare while continuing to stabilize my business.”

Cincinnati grant recipient Arielle Nelson of Saturday Morning Vibes Cereal Bar said, “To be chosen to participate in the EBF program feels incredible. This opportunity to receive grant funding, business resources and expert coaching will give SMV Cereal Bar the boost it needs to be a successful, thriving business.”

The program is part of Fifth Third’s  $2.8 billion Accelerating Racial Equity, Equality and Inclusion Initiative providing $2.2 billion in lending, $500 million in investments, $60 million in financial accessibility and $40 million in philanthropy which encompasses the Empowering Black Futures Neighborhood Program. The initiative is focused on four strategic pillars to create more equitable outcomes for its customers and communities through strategic investments, access to capital, financial inclusion and education, and social justice and advocacy. The Empowering Black Futures Capital Readiness Program runs from January through August 2023.

March 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Ceres urges Congress to pass the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act to establish a clear, comprehensive, and practical framework that protects overburdened communities from pollution and helps workers transition into a thriving clean energy economy.

“As America’s public and private sectors continue to invest in building an advanced, affordable clean-energy economy, the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act is critical to ensuring all U.S. communities benefit from this generational shift,” said Zach Friedman, director of federal policy, Ceres.

Introduced today and named for the late congressman who championed environmental justice and climate action on Capitol Hill, the bill features several critical regulatory and statutory reforms, as well as funding to bolster environmental justice programs and jobs training to ensure workers are not left behind in the shift to a cleaner economy. Developed with broad-based community input, it takes care to balance the needs of communities, public health, and the economy.

“The U.S. is long overdue for this level of ambitious environmental justice action. Ceres calls on Congress to advance the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act to ensure businesses, investors, and other stakeholders have a clear and predictable framework as we move to address long-standing environmental harm in marginalized communities. This legislation would positively impact the U.S. economy by improving public health, preventing future costly environmental cleanups, and investing in a fund to ensure fossil fuel workers are not left behind in the clean energy transition. These principles are critical to building a clean economy that works for all of America, and they must also be upheld as Congress considers permitting reform in the coming months,” Friedman added.

Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit that works with leading companies and investors on sustainability practices and policies, joined with Earthjustice and other sustainability and environmental justice organizations in a joint letter supporting the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act. Ceres federal policy team staff were present at the bill’s introductory press conference today, and the organization intends to actively advocate for its measures during the current Congress.

In recent years, Ceres has bolstered corporate support for environmental justice policy by educating and engaging companies about the disproportionate racial and socioeconomic impacts of pollution, building a private-sector framework to support environmental justice policy, emphasizing that the business benefits of climate action also benefit overburdened communities, and working to ensure that all workers and communities can participate in the advanced clean-energy economy that companies and investors support. Among its efforts, Ceres has:

Called for the California Air Resource Board’s 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan to be highly attentive to the needs of environmental justice communities and supported the creation of an Office of Racial Equity in the California government;Provided detailed written comments informed by both environmental justice and investor partners to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ensure the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund meets key environmental justice needs, such as partnering with local financial institutions embedded in their communities and supporting economic empowerment of low-income and disadvantaged communities.Urged stronger EPA standards for pollution from fine particulate matter, which disproportionately harms people of color and those of lower incomes.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Originally published on Tork Newscenter

PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Tork, an Essity Brand, has announced that Tork Interactive Training for Healthcare is GBAC STAR™ Registered. Under the guidance of the Global Biorisk Advisory CouncilTM (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, this training aligns with the GBAC STAR Accreditation Program, and demonstrates cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention best practices that minimize risks associated with infectious agents like COVID-19.

As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training, and assesses readiness for biorisk situations. Being registered verifies that Tork Interactive Training for Healthcare is positioned as approved for use with GBAC STAR protocols and standards, and is on its way to becoming validated as meeting a higher level of cleanliness and safety.

“With so many options on the market today, it can be overwhelming for decision makers to select the best equipment, chemicals, or programs,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “With GBAC STAR Registered, it’s clear which solutions and programs have been vetted by experts and meet a higher level of cleanliness and safety. This allows managers to better equip and train professionals so they can more easily and effectively uphold public health.”

To become GBAC STAR Registered, Tork Interactive Training for Healthcare had to meet specific requirements including demonstrating efficacy, cost, health and safety advantages, etc., as well as show a significant contribution in helping to prevent the spread of diseases.

Industry-recognized Tork interactive trainings for Healthcare help healthcare facilities improve hand hygiene practices to reduce pathogen transmission and address the 90% of Americans who believe increased cleaning and sanitizing in healthcare facilities is important.

All trainings were developed alongside leading behavioral scientists and experts in hand hygiene. Through these easy-to-access trainings, healthcare professionals can learn best practices anytime, anywhere – contributing to better patient health outcomes.

– Tork Clean Hands Training & Tork Clean Hands Training for Care Homes, available on desktop and VR, invites users into a digital world where they interact and train on the WHO’s ‘5 moments of hand hygiene’ in a realistic, safe environment – aiming to boost compliance.

– Tork Interactive Clean Hospital Training & Tork Clean Training for Care Homes, based on the Association for the Health Care Environment’s Practice Guidance for Health Care Environmental Cleaning, is a desktop tool designed to make the training process for cleaning healthcare facilities engaging and efficient.

To learn more about Tork’s innovative trainings to reinforce hand hygiene and infection prevention in your healthcare facilities visit www.torkusa.com/CleanCareHealthcare.

About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers worldwide ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Our products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, wipers, but also software solutions for data-driven cleaning. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader that supports customers to think ahead so they’re always ready for business. Tork is a global brand of Essity, and a committed partner to customers in over 110 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit: torkusa.com.

About Essity
Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. We are dedicated to improving well-being through our products and services. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2022 amounted to approximately $15 billion. The company’s headquarters is in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society. More information at essity.com.

About GBAC, a Division of ISSA 
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, Forensic Restoration® response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ facility and service accreditation programs, training and certification of individuals and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org.

About ISSA 
With more than 10,500 members—including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members—ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information about ISSA, visit www.issa.com or call 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.

By Dan Lambe

We’ve spent years walking toward climate action. Now, it’s time to run.

That’s the message this week from a panel of United Nations scientists. The new report says if we continue at our current pace of greenhouse gas emissions, we’ll be unable to limit our global warming to a goal of 1.5°C. Scientists warn that each fraction of a degree above that threshold comes with added consequences, increasing both the probability and severity of heatwaves, natural disasters and water insecurity. Unfortunately, we’re already nearing this benchmark, presently sitting at 1.1°C of warming.

This report paints a stark picture, for sure. But now is not the time to crawl into a hole and throw up our hands. Scientists confirm there is hope. There are things we can do to make a change, but we must act immediately.

And I really do mean ‘we’ as individuals.

Every one of us holds a certain amount of power in this fight against climate change. As the UN report points out, the responsibility to protect our planet does not solely rest with governmental leaders implementing policies to limit greenhouse gases. If more people were to commit to end-use measures, we could reduce projected emissions by 40-70% according to a climate expert from Greenpeace. For you, that might look like switching to a plant-based diet or biking to work or limiting your air travel.

For the Arbor Day Foundation, we have committed to do our part, too, and the path forward is lined with 500 million new trees — all planted by 2027.

It’s the most ambitious goal we’ve ever set and it’s rooted in a similar urgency as the U.N. report. Our planet and all the living beings that share it, can’t afford the price of inaction any longer.

To help curb the effects of climate change we need to kick tree planting into high gear. Trees have long been recognized as one of the most cost-effective solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. They pull carbon from the air, clean drinking water and reduce heat. That impact can be amplified if we’re guided by intentionality, getting trees in the ground where they’ll do the most good for climate, community and biodiversity.

The experts agree, we can’t reach our climate goals without trees. In the U.N.’s climate report from 2022, scientists specifically highlighted planting trees and halting deforestation as a key part of the solution to climate change

Of course, we know trees aren’t magic. They aren’t the silver bullet in climate change. But they are a critical piece of the puzzle. Every tree that takes root in the next 10 years will undoubtedly affect this planet for the next 1,000 years. Positive change is possible.

You can be the catalyst for that change.

You don’t need to be a political leader to plant a tree. You don’t need to be an environmental expert. You don’t even need to be a member of the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree. All you need to do to be part of this global effort to curb the effects of climate change, is act. Right now. Get your hands on a sapling and get it into the ground.

I promise, one tree does make a difference.

Dan Lambe is CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. He can be reached at dlambe@arborday.org.