NewzIntel.com

Category: Weather

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mark Cameron drafts bill to stop banking wokery and protect rural borrowers

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron has drafted a bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and financial institutions to make climate-related disclosures, by repealing Part 7A of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

    “Rural and regional New Zealanders are being hammered by banking wokery that judges businesses on political fashion rather than commercial sense,” says Mr Cameron.

    “Farmers are already seeing discrimination creeping into interest rates based on perceived emissions. They fear they’ll be the next to be ‘debanked’, not because of financial risk, but because they don’t fit the agenda of the suit-and-tie bigwigs. We’ve already seen it happening to essential industries like mining and service stations.

    “These rules are the ultimate virtue signal that only ACT opposed back in 2021. They reduce banking competition and force significant costs on lenders – and therefore borrowers – for absolutely no environmental gain.

    “This week I wrote to the Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, raising concerns about the harmful impact these regulations have on borrowers, banking competition, and economic growth, and encouraging him to adopt my proposal as a Government Bill.

    “The Bill I’ve drafted sends two clear messages to the banks. First, they will no longer win political favour by making ideological lending decisions, and they can be confident that they won’t be punished for sticking to their core role of serving customers. Second, for those banks that have fallen under ideological capture, it’s a signal to get back to basics – or risk losing customers to competitors who understand what banking is really about.

    “For government and the regulators of banks, it’s about getting back to basics too. The role of financial regulation is to ensure the sound functioning of financial markets in a way that promotes trust, efficiency, and stability. The climate-disclosure requirements are a departure from this limited function into social engineering.

    “It’s also unnecessary. We already have an Emissions Trading Scheme that makes these woke rules completely redundant – emissions are capped and the cost of carbon is already factored into investment and production decisions.

    “So while the disclosure requirements haven’t reduced a single gram of global emissions, they do put pressure on the banks by waving a stick at the banks, tacitly saying ‘if we don’t like who you’re lending to we’ll hit you’. That is part of what’s driving this madness and why ACT believes markets, not ministers should decide where investment is directed.

    “The answer to woke lending practices is not more red tape, it’s getting rid of the existing stuff that’s causing it in the first place.

    “We’ll win the war on banking wokery by letting better ideas and businesses compete against out-of-touch lenders. Piling on additional heavy-handed regulations risks scaring off new entrants to the market, further entrenching the power of the big players. If we want to force their hand, the market is best placed to do it.”

    Mark Cameron’s letter to the Minister can be read here.

    A copy of the Financial Markets Conduct (Repeal of Climate-related Disclosure Requirements) Amendment Bill can be read here.

    The climate-related disclosure requirements were introduced by Labour in 2021 through the Financial Sector (Climate-related Disclosures and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Events – REPORTERS FACING MULTIPLE CHALLENGES COVERING THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY – AUT

    Source: Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
    The challenges faced by journalists covering the climate emergency will be at the heart of a public symposium at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) next month.  
    The symposium, titled Framing the Emergency: Climate Journalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, will explore how journalists report on the climate crisis, what more they can do, and how more climate stories might be told.  
    Speakers will include leading journalists Eloise Gibson (RNZ), Marc Daalder (Newsroom), and Miriama Kamo (TVNZ).  
    Experts and activists in the line-up include Russel Norman (Greenpeace), Jessica Palairet (Lawyers for Climate Action), and Joe Nagera (Pacific Climate Warriors).
    The symposium convenor, Professor Geoffrey Craig, said New Zealand climate journalists had a challenging job relating how the planetary crisis was impacting the nation.  
    They needed to “traverse the complexities of governmental policies and emission trading schemes, the power of corporations and the technicality of scientific research”, he said.  
    “They must cover the politics of land and water management, the advocacy of activists, and the struggles of citizens responding to disasters and building greater sustainability in their communities and everyday lives.”
    Journalists also face the challenge of reporting independently on the “actions and discourses of stakeholders” who frame climate issues in different ways, based on their interests. 
    The climate emergency could be said to transforming our understanding of the relationships between economy, environment and society.  
    “Yet some might argue there is little sense of an ’emergency’ in our public responses to the climate crisis,” he said.  
    “Do we need other climate stories in our media where the mahi and hope of communities point the way forward?”  
    Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is one of the world’s best modern universities. Home to 28,000 students across three campuses, AUT has more than 60 research centres and institutes delivering leading research – from artificial intelligence to robotics,
    and ecology to public health. As a contemporary university, AUT is connected to an extraordinary range of organisations sharing expertise and resources, collaborating on ground-breaking research, and connecting students with industry leaders and employers. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Statement by Minister Todd McClay following the March 2025 Pastoral Sector Group meeting

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Pastoral Sector Group (PSG) has held its first meeting, discussing farm emissions.
    The group consists of Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, and Chairs and CEOs from: Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Dairy NZ, Deer Industry New Zealand, Federated Farmers, and the Meat Industry Association.
    Pasture Sector
    Sector representatives contributed perspectives on the current state of the industry and a desire to work constructively toward a positive outcome for the rural sector.
    They underlined the significant effort made by farmers to date. 
    They stressed the need for any consideration of emissions reduction to be based upon science and to be solutions driven. 
    They stressed the need to revise the domestic methane target based on the principle of no additional warming. 
    They stressed the need for any solutions to be affordable for farmers; and for the need to avoid imposing costs upon industry and government. 
    They voiced concerns about the effects afforestation was having on the pastoral sector and welcomed the Government’s recent announcement to restrict farm to forest conversions. 
    They raised concerns about the negative impact that a price on agricultural emissions would have on production. 
    They stressed the need for certainty and time for the primary sector.
    Government
    Ministers reiterated that this group was to allow the sector to provide their views to government directly and to engage in a respectful dialogue.
    Ministers thanked the primary sector for their significant contribution to New Zealand, and in particular, the importance of a strong primary sector to the New Zealand economy.
    They stressed that the PSG was an opportunity to talk openly and that it was not a decision-making body.
    The members of the group agreed that New Zealand farmers are among the world’s most carbon-efficient food producers and were willing to do their part for New Zealand’s overall commitment to reduce emissions.
    Ministers confirmed the following:

    That the Government has removed agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme.
    That the Government has disbanded He Waka Eka Noa.
    That the Government is committed to a split gas approach.
    That the Government commissioned an independent scientific review on the role of biogenic methane against additional warming.
    That the Government will pass legislation this year to implement its decision of 4 December 2024 to restrict full farm to forest conversions.
    That the Government is committed to meeting New Zealand’s climate obligations without closing down farms or sending jobs and production overseas.
    That all decisions in respect to farm emissions will be informed by accepted science.
    That the Government is mindful of the impact of costs related to emissions reduction on farmers; and the implications that cost could have for production.
    That a revised 2050 biogenic methane target will be set this year.
    That the Government is committed to the use of science and innovation to reduce emissions, not reducing on farm production.
    That it is for New Zealand to decide how to reduce emissions.
    That New Zealand has climate change obligations under some trade agreements and that the Government will be guided by domestic considerations and interests including those of New Zealand producers and the economy.
    The Government currently has a plan that shows New Zealand can meet its obligations while growing the economy and without closing down farms or sending production or jobs overseas.
    That the Government will continue to build confidence in the primary sector.

    The PSG will meet again next month.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Severe Weather Tuesday

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul cautioned New Yorkers in portions of Western and Central New York to prepare for severe weather that includes an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon. Storms with strong winds are predicted along with a possible, isolated tornado for parts of Western New York, Southern Tier, North Country, Finger Lakes into Central New York. Wind gusts could exceed 70 MPH in these locations at times. There is also a possibility for hail up to one inch in diameter within thunderstorms, especially for western parts of the state. Rainfall is expected to be less than a half inch in most areas, but some isolated areas could see up to an inch of rain. There is also a marginal to slight risk for severe thunderstorms for much of the North Country, as well as portions of the Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, and Hudson Valley. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to closely monitor the weather and take any precautions necessary to stay safe through the storms.

    “As storm season approaches and severe weather makes its way to Western and Central New York, I am directing state agencies to be prepared to assist New Yorkers impacted by these storms,” Governor Hochul said. “My highest priority is the safety of New Yorkers, and I implore all those in the path of inclement storms to monitor weather conditions and take necessary precautions to stay safe.”

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories, and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Division’s Office of Emergency Management is in contact with their local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance. State stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed. The State Watch Center is monitoring the storm track and statewide impacts closely.

    Department of Transportation
    The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with 3,730 supervisors and operators available statewide. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond.

    Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

    • 1,528 large dump trucks
    • 334 large loaders
    • 91 chippers
    • 90 tracked and wheeled excavators
    • 33 water pumps
    • 31 traffic and tree crew bucket trucks
    • 29 traffic tower platforms
    • 16 vacuum trucks with sewer jets

    The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit 511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

    Thruway Authority
    The Thruway Authority has 660 operators and supervisors prepared to respond to any wind or flood related issues across the state with small to medium sized excavators, plow/dump trucks, large loaders, portable VMS boards, portable light towers, smaller generators, smaller pumps and equipment hauling trailers, as well as signage and other traffic control devices available for any detours or closures. Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of weather conditions on the Thruway.

    Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

    • 354 Large and Small Dump Trucks
    • 66 Loaders
    • 31 Trailers
    • 6 Vac Trucks
    • 15 Excavators
    • 8 Brush Chippers
    • 99 Chainsaws
    • 20 Aerial Trucks
    • 26 Skid Steers
    • 86 Portable Generators
    • 67 Portable Light Units

    The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download the mobile app, which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to live traffic cameras, real-time traffic information and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway, follow @ThruwayTraffic on X, and visit thruway.ny.gov to see an interactive map showing traffic conditions for the Thruway and other New York State roadways.

    Department of Public Service
    New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across New York State, as necessary. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    New York State Police
    State Police instructed all Troopers to remain vigilant and will deploy extra patrols to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are in service, and all specialty vehicles are staged and ready for deployment.

    Department of Environmental Conservation
    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    DEC reminds local officials to watch for potential flooding in their communities. Municipalities are encouraged to undertake local assessments of flood-prone areas and to remove any accumulating debris. DEC permits and authorization are not required to remove debris unless stream banks or beds will be disturbed by debris removal and/or the use of heavy equipment. Municipalities and local governments are advised to contact DEC’s Regional Permit Administrators if assistance is required and to help determine if a permit is necessary.

    If a permit is necessary, DEC can issue Emergency Authorizations to expedite approval of projects in place of an individual permit. DEC approves Emergency Authorizations for situations that are deemed an emergency based on the immediate protection of life, health, general welfare, property, or natural resources.

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, snow, ice, and colder temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience. Trails have mixed conditions of snow, ice, slush, and mud.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information.

    Backcountry visitors should Hike Smart and follow proper safety guidelines. Plan trips accordingly. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
    New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free mobile app, or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.

    Thunderstorm Safety Tips

    Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that can produce 50+ mph winds, lightning, hail and cause flash flooding and tornadoes. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to a safe shelter immediately.

    • Move to a sturdy building. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles.
    • If lightning occurs and sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep windows up.
    • Get out of boats and away from water.
    • Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances not necessary for obtaining weather information. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances.
    • Do not take a bath or shower.
    • Turn off air conditioners — power surges from lightning can overload compressors.
    • Get to higher ground if flash flooding or flooding is possible.
    • Do not attempt to drive to safety — most flash flooding deaths occur in automobiles.
    • If outdoors, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles.
    • If you are in the woods, take shelter under short trees.
    • If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stands on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet; place your hands on your knees with your head between them; make yourself the smallest target possible; and minimize your contact with the ground.

    Tornado Safety Tips

    • If outdoors: Seek shelter in a substantial building immediately. If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.
    • Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately.
    • If at home or in a small building: Go to the basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the building. Stay away from windows. Closets, bathrooms, and other interior rooms offer the best protection. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.
    • If in a school, hospital, or shopping center: Go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from large open areas and windows. Do not go outside to your car.
    • If in a high-rise building: Go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not use the elevators. Use the stairs.
    • If in a mobile home or vehicle: Get out of mobile homes or vehicles – they are easily tossed about by strong winds in the tornado.
    • Take shelter in a substantial structure: If there is no shelter near-by, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.

    Flood Safety

    • During flash flooding, never attempt to drive on a flooded road. Turn around and go another way. If water begins to rise rapidly around you in your car, abandon the vehicle immediately.
    • Do not underestimate the power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast-moving flood water will float your car, and water moving at two miles per hour can sweep cars off a road or bridge.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $7 million in Hurricane Ida aid for southeast Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $7,044,721 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.

    “Communities like Lafourche Parish, New Orleans and Dulac continue to deal with the impacts of Hurricane Ida today. This $7 million will help southeast Louisiana cover the costs of repairing key educational and recreational facilities,” said Kennedy.

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $4,262,342 to the Terrebonne Parish Recreation District #4 for repairs to the Grand Caillou Recreation Center Building in Dulac, La. resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
    • $1,643,621 to the Academy of the Sacred Heart of New Orleans for repairs to the Mater Campus Education Building resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
    • $1,138,758 to the Lafourche Parish School Board for repairs to South Lafourche High School athletic facilities due to Hurricane Ida damage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Budd Secures $1.4 Billion Grant for Western North Carolina

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved North Carolina’s Action Plan for $1.4 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. Sen. Budd led a bipartisan, bicameral letter on April 11, 2025, calling on the Trump administration to expedite consideration for North Carolina’s Action Plan.
    “After Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, we have been working tirelessly to rebuild homes, businesses, and infrastructure across the region. Earlier this month, I was proud to lead a bipartisan majority of North Carolina’s congressional delegation in urging the Trump administration to deliver the critical funding our communities need. Just last week, Secretary Scott Turner announced North Carolina has been awarded $1.4 billion to jumpstart the rebuilding process. This life-changing investment will provide real relief to the thousands of families who suffered from Helene’s destruction. I am grateful to the Trump administration for answering our call, acting swiftly, and demonstrating their commitment to our state’s recovery,” said Senator Budd.
    BACKGROUND
    Sen. Budd led eleven of his congressional colleagues in sending the letter to HUD earlier this month, to help secure this CBDG-DR funding. Read the full letter text HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Two Senior Executives Join the Diginex Team to Drive Sustainable Finance Initiatives and strategic M&A

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diginex Limited (“Diginex”) (NASDAQ: DGNX), a leading impact technology company focused on solving pressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, is thrilled to announce the appointment of two senior executives to the Diginex team. This builds off recent news of strategic alliances signed with Russell Bedford International, Forvis Mazars, and Baker Tilly Singapore, marking a significant step for Diginex to support a sustainable and innovation-driven economy.

    Dan Campion was appointed as Diginex’s Global Chief Commercial Officer. With a distinguished career in strategic leadership and business development, Mr. Campion will spearhead Diginex’s efforts to expand its ESG solutions and sustainable finance offerings, reinforcing the Diginex’s commitment to creating a more responsible and resilient global economy.  

    Mr. Campion brings a wealth of experience to Diginex, having held senior leadership roles across multiple industries, including most recently as Global Head of “Markets” Sales at S&P Global. His expertise in navigating complex markets and delivering client-focused solutions aligns seamlessly with Diginex’s mission to empower organizations with cutting-edge tools for sustainability and ethical governance. In his new role, Mr. Campion will oversee Diginex’s global commercial strategy, help to accelerate market penetration, and strengthen Diginex’s position as a trusted partner in ESG and sustainable finance.  

    Lorenzo Romano was appointed as Diginex’s Lead Strategic Advisor on M&A. Mr. Romano is a seasoned banking executive with a distinguished track record in private banking, wealth management, and strategic growth advisory. Formerly Head of Private Banking at EFG Bank, Geneva, Mr. Romano spearheaded key initiatives to elevate client experience and expand the bank’s footprint. Prior to that, Mr. Romano served as Head of Switzerland, Europe, and the Middle East at Syz Bank, where he successfully led cross-border operations and business development across multiple regions. Leveraging over two decades of leadership in the financial sector, Mr. Romano will help to identify and execute accretive transactions across the Sustainability RegTech sector as the Company pursues a strategy of growth through acquisitions to complement the organic growth of its existing product lines.

    “We are delighted to welcome both Dan Campion and Lorenzo Romano to the Diginex team,” said Miles Pelham, Chairman and Founder of Diginex. “Their deep understanding of commercial dynamics and passion for sustainable innovation makes them the ideal leaders to advance our Sustainable RegTech solutions. Their appointments mark an exciting step forward as we continue to support businesses worldwide in achieving their sustainability goals as well as look to grow through accretive M&A transactions.”  

    About Diginex Limited

    Diginex Limited (Nasdaq: DGNX; ISIN KYG286871044), headquartered in London, is a sustainable RegTech business that empowers businesses and governments to streamline ESG, climate, and supply chain data collection and reporting. The Company utilizes blockchain, AI, machine learning and data analysis technology to lead change and increase transparency in corporate regulatory reporting and sustainable finance. Diginex’s products and services solutions enable companies to collect, evaluate and share sustainability data through easy-to-use software. 

    The award-winning diginexESG platform supports 17 global frameworks, including GRI (the “Global Reporting Initiative”), SASB (the “Sustainability Accounting Standards Board”), and TCFD (the “Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures”). Clients benefit from end-to-end support, ranging from materiality assessments and data management to stakeholder engagement, report generation and an ESG Ratings Support Service.

    For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.diginex.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Diginex
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@diginex.com  

    IR Contact – Europe
    Anna Höffken
    Phone: +49.40.609186.0
    Email: diginex@kirchhoff.de

    IR Contact – US
    Kincade Ayers
    Lambert by LLYC
    Phone: +1 (616) 258-5794
    Email: kincade.ayers@llyc.global

    IR Contact – Asia
    Shelly Cheng
    Strategic Public Relations Group Ltd.
    Phone: +852 2864 4857
    Email: sprg_diginex@sprg.com.hk

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Here’s how to make your backyard safer and cooler next summer

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pui Kwan Cheung, Research Fellow in Urban Microclimates, The University of Melbourne

    Varavin88, Shutterstock

    Our backyards should be safe and inviting spaces all year round, including during the summer months.

    But the choices we make about garden design and maintenance, such as whether to have artificial turf or real grass for a lawn, can have serious consequences. Children, elderly people and pets are particularly susceptible to burns from contact with artificial turf on a hot day.

    Watering your lawn or planting a shady tree can also dramatically change how hot your backyard feels in summer. Ultimately, these factors will influence how much time you and your family spend outside.

    No matter where in the world you live, it is never too late to find out how to make your backyard safer and cooler next summer.

    The case against artificial turf

    Artificial turf or synthetic grass, commonly used on sports fields, has become popular in private outdoor spaces such as backyards.

    People may think it’s cheaper and easier to maintain than real turf. Perhaps they like the idea of saving water and having the look of lawn without the hassle of mowing and fertilising it.

    But this type of plastic surface is known to become very hot on a sunny day.

    We wanted to find out just how hot artificial turf can get in a suburban backyard over summer.

    So we set up an experiment to compare the temperatures of artificial turf, dry natural turf, and watered natural turf in Melbourne. We took surface temperature measurements continuously for 51 days during the summer of 2023–24.

    The research was part of a project demonstrating the benefits of green space in residential properties. The project received funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia, a grower-owned not-for-profit research and development corporation. That funding, in part, came from three water authorities.

    Thermal imaging reveals artificial turf is hotter than natural turf on a hot sunny day.
    Pui Kwan Cheung

    Feeling the heat

    In adults, irreversible burns occur when the skin is in contact with a surface that is 48°C or hotter for ten minutes.

    The temperature needed to cause skin burns in children is approximately 2°C lower, because their skin is thinner and more sensitive.

    Contact skin burns due to the high surface temperature of artificial turf has been identified as a health risk.

    In our latest research, the artificial turf reached a scorching 72°C, which is sufficient to cause irreversible skin burns in just ten seconds. In contrast, the real turf was never hot enough to cause such burns (maximum temperature of 39°C).

    Over the course of our experiment, the artificial turf was hot enough to cause adults irreversible skin burns for almost four hours a day. While adults might be expected to move away from the heat before it burns, vulnerable people such as babies and the elderly, as well as pets, are most at risk because they may be unable to move away.

    We also took measurements in real backyards on a hot sunny summer’s day. We compared the risk of skin burns on four different surfaces: artificial turf, mulch, timber and real turf. The only surface that did not get hot enough to cause skin burns in adults was real turf.

    Watering the grass can cool your backyard in more ways than one.
    Stephen Livesley

    Why should I water the lawn?

    Grass and other plants release water vapour from little holes in their leaves into the atmosphere. This process helps the plant maintain a liveable leaf temperature on a hot day, but it also cools the air around the leaves.

    It is a good idea to water your lawn throughout summer for two reasons:

    1. well-watered lawn is healthier, stays green for longer, and has more leaves to release water vapour into the air (“transpire”).

    2. more water is available to evaporate from the soil and leaves, adding to the cooling effect.

    If you’re worried about wasting drinking water on your lawn, you can install a rainwater tank or household water recycling plant. Having access to alternative water sources will become increasingly important as the world warms and the climate dries.

    More shade will cool your backyard.
    Stephen Livesley

    What about shade?

    The most effective way to make you feel cooler in your backyard is to provide adequate shade. This reduces the amount of sun energy hitting your body or the ground, heating the surface and warming the surrounding air.

    A single tree can lower the level of heat stress from extreme to moderate. This may be the difference between wanting to spend time outside on a hot day and avoiding your backyard altogether.

    Even small trees can still make you feel cooler, if they provide some shade.

    However, too-dense tree canopy cover may prevent air flow – so there is a happy medium. Air flow is necessary to move the heat away from your backyard and cool your body down.

    Taking all the above measures will keep your backyard safe and cool throughout summer. This will allow you and your family to spend more quality time in your backyard, cool your home, and improve your quality of life.

    Pui Kwan Cheung receives funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) for the research project “demonstrating the benefits of increasing available green infrastructure in residential homes”, which is relevant to this article.
    The project involves co-investment from South East Water, Greater Western Water, Yarra Valley Water, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (Victoria), Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (New South Wales), The University of Melbourne, and the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

    Stephen Livesley receives funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia, the Australian Research Council and various water authorities.

    – ref. Here’s how to make your backyard safer and cooler next summer – https://theconversation.com/heres-how-to-make-your-backyard-safer-and-cooler-next-summer-254928

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Making every drop of water count

    Demand for water is rising and Alberta is looking at ways to make more water available for farmers, ranchers, businesses and growing communities. The Water Act has not been updated in 25 years and with more families, agri-businesses, food processing plants and many others coming to Alberta, it is important that the system makes every drop count.

    While most of the Water Act is working well, government recently heard from over a thousand Albertans who suggested improvements that could potentially help make the system stronger. Alberta’s government is now seeking public feedback on some of the targeted changes put forward by Albertans to maximize the water supply and make more water available to those who need it.

    “We need to ensure we have the water we need for people, our environment and our major industries for today, tomorrow and for generations to come. Albertans have given us clear feedback on the Water Act, that it can and should be reviewed, and suggested specific updates for further discussion. We know there are many different views and perspectives, and we’re grateful for the participation and engagement to help us get this right.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    Critical areas are not up for discussion

    The foundation of Alberta’s water management system is already working successfully. For example, Alberta’s priority system will continue to be based on principles of first-in-time, first-in-right – a system that has worked well for more than 100 years. There will be no changes considered that reduce anyone’s current water allocations, nor add any new royalties, bulk or volumetric pricing for water.

    Alberta’s Water for Life strategy will keep guiding the province’s water system, ensuring healthy, secure and sustainable water supply for communities, economy and aquatic ecosystems. Alberta will also continue to support water allocation transfers in basins with approved water management plans and will continue to require a special act of the legislature for any high-risk inter-basin transfers.

    Targeted improvements proposed by Albertans

    Having heard from Albertans directly, government is seeking feedback on some of the most commonly raised, or practical, changes that were proposed. The updates could:

    • Streamline regulatory decisions on licence amendments and transfers.
    • Enhance water use information to support licence and transfer decisions.
    • Enable lower risk inter-basin transfers where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
    • Enable management of alternative water sources, such as rainwater, stormwater and wastewater reuse.

    Albertans can provide feedback on the specific proposals until June 30.  

    There will also be targeted in-person sessions across the province with Indigenous communities and water using sectors in May. No decisions have been made, and government will review all the feedback before determining what changes, if any, move forward.

    This engagement builds off the first phase undertaken in fall 2024 and winter 2025, but there is more work to do. Engagement on other ideas for regulatory, policy and program changes put forward by Albertans to improve water availability may also take place in the future as government works to strengthen the water management system.

    Quick facts

    • Alberta’s government engaged with Albertans to hear ideas about how to strengthen and modernize the water system.
      • Phase one occurred October 2024 through January 2025 with more than 1,400 people participating and sharing ideas.
    • Alberta continues to improve water management across the province, including:
      • $5 million over three years for the Alberta Water Storage Assessment Program.
      • $12 million over two years for Bow River Reservoir (with Transportation and Economic Corridors).
      • $25 million investment this year through the Drought and Flood Protection Program.
      • $8.7 million for wetlands through the Wetlands Replacement Program
      • $3.5 million through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program.

    Related information

    • Water availability engagement

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Announces Over $8 Million for Hurricane Ida Recovery

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced Louisiana will receive $8,052,763.14 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for permanent repairs and recovery efforts following Hurricane Ida.
    “Southeast Louisiana took the worst of Hurricane Ida,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This funding helps return schools, recreation centers, and critical infrastructure to these communities.” 
    Grant Awarded
    Recipient
    Project Description
    $1,643,621.32
    Academy of the Sacred Heart of New Orleans
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to the Mater Campus Education Building damaged by Hurricane Ida.
    $4,262,341.50
    Terrebonne Parish Recreation District #4
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent replacement of the Grand Caillou Recreation Center as a direct result of Hurricane Ida.
    $1,138,757.94
    Lafourche Parish School Board
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to South Lafourche High School athletic facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida.
    $1,008,042.38
    St. John the Baptist Parish
    This grant will provide federal funding for permanent repairs to sewer lift stations damaged by Hurricane Ida.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA to Host Housing Resource Fair May 3 in Jeff Davis County

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA to Host Housing Resource Fair May 3 in Jeff Davis County

    FEMA to Host Housing Resource Fair May 3 in Jeff Davis County

    FEMA is hosting a Housing Resource Fair from 9 a

    m

    to 5 p

    m

    , Saturday, May 3, in Jeff Davis County at the following location:Jeff Davis Public Library189 E

    Jarman St

     Hazlehurst, GA 31539The Housing Resource Fair will bring together federal, state and local agencies in one place to offer services and resources to families recovering from Hurricane Helene

     The goal of this collaborative effort is to help connect eligible disaster survivors with affordable housing along with valuable information and resources on their road to recovery

    Survivors will get information on available rental properties, the HEARTS Georgia Sheltering Program, and U

    S

    Small Business Administration (SBA) loans

    The Housing Resource Fair is an opportunity for survivors to: Explore affordable housing options and rental assistance programs

    Gain access to resources for displaced individuals and families

    Learn from community partners about educational funding resources

     For FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Wallace, the Housing Resource Fair is opportunity to give survivors a one-on-one experience: “We want survivors to know we are here for them and want to see the best outcome, which is moving into safe, sanitary and functioning housing,” he said

     “We will walk them through their options to ensure they are aware of the resources that are available to fit their need

    ”Anyone affected by Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene, whether they have applied for FEMA assistance or not, is welcome to attend

    julia

    hendersonkobin
    Mon, 04/28/2025 – 12:54

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Need for a realistic and flexible approach to emissions and mobility regulation in the EU – E-000932/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Delivering on the EU’s climate targets[1] requires a swift decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors, including transport. It is also urgent to reduce Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, which makes the EU more vulnerable to external pressure and global market uncertainty — in 2022, the EU’s fossil-fuel energy import bill reached EUR 604 billion.

    The CO2 standards Regulation[2] sets targets for new cars and vans, which get more stringent over time, up to a 100% emission reduction as of 2035.

    This creates long-term predictability for manufacturers and investors, while giving industry the necessary lead-time to adapt. This also supports competitiveness — EU manufacturers are strongly investing in zero-emission technologies and a strong home market is a crucial enabler for them to regain leadership in this area.

    The 2025 CO2 targets, which require a 15% reduction of emissions from baseline, can be met through a mix of technological options, including electric and hybrid vehicles.

    For manufacturers that may not be able to comply on their own , the regulation, as strongly requested by the industry, provides the option to pool with other manufacturers. Pooling is not required under the regulation — it is one option in manufacturers’ compliance strategy.

    As announced in the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector[3], on 1 April 2025 the Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the CO2 standards, whereby compliance would be assessed over the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 combined instead of annually[4].

    This will contribute to safeguarding the EU industry’s capacity to invest, keeping the overall ambition of the 2025 targets. The Commission will also accelerate work on the preparation of the review of the regulation .

    • [1] Enshrined in the European Climate Law — http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/851/oj/eng
    • [3] COM(2025) 95 final, 5.3.2025.
    • [4] COM(2025) 136 final, 1.04.2025.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European standards undermining the competitiveness of the European automotive industry – E-000657/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Delivering on the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 and the climate neutrality target by 2050[1] calls for ambitious action to ensure a swift decrease in emissions from all sectors, including transport.

    The revised CO2 standards Regulation[2] sets targets which get more stringent over time, up to a 100% emission reduction for new cars and vans registered in the EU as of 2035.

    This gradual transition towards zero-emission mobility gives industry enough lead-time to develop an adequate compliance strategy.

    The 2025 target requiring a 15% reduction of emissions from the 2021 baseline was agreed by the co-legislators in 2019 and confirmed in 2023. Manufacturers may rely on various technologies to achieve this target, such as zero-emission and hybrid vehicles, or improvements of conventional vehicles.

    For manufacturers that may not be in a position to achieve target compliance on their own, the regulation provides the option to pool with other manufacturers. Pooling is not mandatory, but is one option as part of manufacturers’ compliance strategy.

    As announced in the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector[3], on 1 April 2025 the Commission proposed a targeted amendment of the CO2 emission standards, whereby the compliance would be assessed over the years of 2025, 2026 and 2027 instead of annually[4].

    This will contribute to safeguarding industry’s capacity to invest, keeping the overall ambition of the 2025 targets. The Commission will also accelerate work on the preparation of the review of the regulation.

    • [1] Enshrined in the European Climate Law — http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1119/oj
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/851/oj/eng
    • [3] COM(2025) 95 final.
    • [4] COM(2025) 136 final, 1.04.2025.
    Last updated: 28 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Supercomputing Mission

    Source: Government of India

    National Supercomputing Mission

    Powering India’s Future with Indigenous High-Performance Computing

    Posted On: 28 APR 2025 6:00PM by PIB Delhi

     

    “India’s mantra is Atmanirbharta through research, Science for Self-Reliance.”

    – Prime Minister Narendra Modi

     

    Introduction

    The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India to empower the country with high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities. Launched in 2015, the mission aims to enhance India’s technological prowess in supercomputing, foster research and development (R&D), and support scientific advancements across academia, industry, and government sectors.

    The Mission envisages empowering our national academic and R&D institutions spread over the country by installing supercomputers of various capacities. Access to these supercomputers is provided through the National Knowledge Network (NKN). The NKN is another program of the government which connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high-speed network.

    Academic and R&D institutions as well as key user departments/ministries would participate by using these facilities and develop applications of national relevance. The Mission also includes development of highly professional High-Performance Computing (HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these applications. HRD activities in this area are steered through five training centres at Pune, Kharagpur, Chennai, Palakkad, and Goa to expand the awareness and familiarization of supercomputing with college students and researchers.

     

    Current Status & Achievements

     

    Under NSM, as of March 2025, a total of 34 supercomputers with a combined compute capacity of 35 Petaflops, have been deployed across various academic institutions, research organizations, and R&D labs, including prominent institutions like IISc, IITs, C-DAC, and other institutions from Tier-II and Tier III cities of the country under NSM. The supercomputing systems commissioned under NSM have achieved an overall utilization rate of over 85%, with many systems exceeding 95%, demonstrating a high level of usage and efficiency in their computational capacity

    The contribution of these supercomputing systems to the Research and Development (R&D) sector has been highly impactful, facilitating over 10,000 researchers, including more than 1,700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic institutions and R&D labs across the country. These supercomputing systems have supported research in critical domains such as Drug Discovery, Disaster Management, Energy Security, Climate Modeling, Astronomical Research, Computational Chemistry, Fluid Dynamics, and Material Research. NSM has created opportunities for researchers from Tier II and Tier III cities to conduct research by providing access to state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities. These researchers have completed over 1 crore compute jobs and published more than 1,500 papers in leading national and international journals. Additionally, more than 22,000 individuals have been trained in HPC and AI skills. Start-ups and MSMEs are leveraging these supercomputing resources to advance their HPC-driven projects.

     

     

    In parallel, under the NSM, C-DAC has developed the indigenous high-speed communication network, “Trinetra,” to enhance data transfer and communication between computing nodes, strengthening India’s supercomputing capabilities. Trinetra is being implemented in three phases: Trinetra-POC, a proof-of-concept system to validate key concepts; Trinetra-A (100 Gigabits per second), a network with advanced connections, successfully deployed and tested in the 1PF PARAM Rudra at C-DAC Pune; and Trinetra-B (200 Gigabits per second), an upgraded version with improved capabilities, set to be deployed in the upcoming 20PF PARAM Rudra supercomputer at C-DAC Bangalore.

    In 2024, the Prime Minister dedicated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers to the young researchers, scientists and engineers of nation facilitating advanced studies in physics, earth sciences, and cosmology. These supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research. PARAM Rudra supercomputers are built using indigenously designed and manufactured HPC servers, known as “Rudra”, along with an indigenously developed system software stack. “Rudra” Server is the first of its kind in India which is at par with globally available other HPC class Servers.

    The Government has initiated a project AIRAWAT for providing a common compute platform for AI research and knowledge assimilation. This AI computing infrastructure will be used by all Technology Innovation Hubs, research labs, scientific community, industry, start-ups and institutions under the NKN. The Proof of Concept (PoC) for AIRAWAT will be developed with 200 petaflops mixed precision AI machine which will be scalable to a peak compute of 790 AI petaflops. The AIRAWAT has secured 75th position in Top 500 Global Supercomputing List declared at International Supercomputing Conference (ISC 2023), Germany putting India on top of AI Supercomputing nations worldwide.

    In 2022, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has installed Param Pravega, one of the most powerful Indian supercomputers. Param Pravega having a supercomputing power of 3.3 petaflops, is the largest supercomputer that has been installed in an Indian academic institution.

    In 2019, the Prime Minister inaugurated National Supercomputing Mission’s first indigenously build supercomputer ‘Param Shivay’ at Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi.

    In 2024-25, additional ~45 PF of computing infrastructure creation is envisaged using indigenously developed server and technologies.

     

    NSM Infrastructure

    The National Supercomputing Mission aims at achieving the goals of attaining self-reliance in supercomputing, building the culture of using supercomputing for carrying out R&D and problem-solving in various domains of scientific and technological endeavours, and designing solutions for various societal applications, and positioning the supercomputing ecosystem in the country at a globally competitive level. The systems and facilities created as part of the infrastructure under this mission are divided into three phases: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III.

    Phase 1: This phase focused on creating a basic supercomputing infrastructure by installing six supercomputers across various institutions, with a significant portion of the components being assembled domestically. The aim was to build an ecosystem for the assembly of system components within the country.

    Phase 2: Building on Phase 1, this phase aimed to move towards indigenous manufacturing of supercomputers, including developing a local software stack. This phase also saw an increase in the value addition from India to 40%.

    Phase 3: This phase focuses on complete indigenization of supercomputing, including the design, development, and manufacturing of key components within India. The plan includes installing supercomputers at various academic and research institutions, as well as establishing a national facility with a high-performance computing capability.

    The Mission is being steered jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The Mission implementation would bring supercomputing within the reach of the large scientific & technology community in the country and enable the country with a capacity of solving multi-disciplinary grand challenge problems.

    NSM has planned to expand the number of supercomputers to select institutions including IITs with more compute power including 20 Peta Flop systems. An amount of Rs. 1874 crore has been allocated / utilized to develop and provide the super-computing facility for research and other allied areas. This includes funds for infrastructure creation, undertaking R&D in applied areas, applications, HRD and for mission management.

     

    Strengthening NSM through India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

     

    The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is set to give a big boost to the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). Supercomputers need powerful parts like processors, memory chips, and special accelerators — all of which are made using advanced semiconductor technology. Until now, India had to rely heavily on imports for these components.

    With ISM, India is focusing on making these high-tech parts right here at home. This will make supercomputers faster, more energy-efficient, and much more affordable. It will also allow India to build supercomputers that are customized for our own scientific and industrial needs. By developing these technologies within the country, ISM will help NSM move closer to its dream of making India self-reliant and a global leader in supercomputing.

     

    Conclusion

     

    The National Supercomputing Mission is a transformative initiative that strengthens India’s position in global supercomputing. By fostering indigenous development, research, and innovation, NSM supports critical sectors and prepares the nation for future technological challenges. With continued investment and strategic deployment, India is poised to become a global leader in High-Performance Computing.

     

    References

    https://nsmindia.in/

    https://ism.gov.in/

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1666447

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2081061

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1800356

    https://dst.gov.in/pm-launches-country-1st-indigenously-build-supercomputer

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2087506

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088268

    https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU2084_k8K63G.pdf?source=pqals

    https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/267/AU3905_rZLY5P.pdf?source=pqars

    National Supercomputing Mission

    ***

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Rishita Aggarwal

    (Release ID: 2124920) Visitor Counter : 42

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No MDs are in effect as of Mon Apr 28 17:46:02 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Mesoscale DiscussionsUpdated:  Mon Apr 28 17:50:03 UTC 2025 No Mesoscale Discussions are currently in effect.

    Notice:  The responsibility for Heavy Rain Mesoscale Discussions has been transferred to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on April 9, 2013. Click here for the Service Change Notice.
    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 180 Status Reports

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Search by city or zip code. Press enter or select the go button to submit request
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul O’Hare, Lecturer in Human Geography and Urban Development, Manchester Metropolitan University

    John_T/Shutterstock

    Climate breakdown poses immense threats to global economies, societies and ecosystems. Adapting to these impacts is urgent. But many cities and countries remain chronically unprepared in what the UN calls an “adaptation gap”.

    Building climate resilience is notoriously difficult. Economic barriers limit investment in infrastructure and technology. Social inequities undermine the capacity of vulnerable populations to adapt. And inconsistent policies impede coordinated efforts across sectors and at scale.

    My research looks at how cities can better cope with climate change. I have identified five ways to catalyse more effective – and ultimately more progressive – climate adaptation and resilience.

    1. Don’t just ‘bounce back’ after a crisis

    When wildfires, storms or floods hit, all too often governments prioritise rebuilding as rapidly as possible.

    Though understandable, resilience doesn’t just entail coping with the effects of climate change. Instead of “bouncing back” to a pre-shock status, those in charge of responding need to encourage “bouncing forward”, creating places that are at less risk in the first place.

    After the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011, the New Zealand authorities “built back better”, improving building codes and regulations and relocating vulnerable communities. Critics suggested reconstruction provided too much uncertainty and failed to acknowledge private property rights. But the rebuild did encourage better integration of planning policies and land use practices.



    Read more:
    ‘Build back better’ sounds great in theory, but does the government really know what it means in practice?

    Swales and sustainable urban drainage in Gorton climate resilient park, Manchester, UK.
    Paul O’Hare, CC BY-NC-ND

    2. Informed by risk

    It can be difficult to predict what the consequences of a crisis might be. Cities are complex, interconnected places. Transboundary risks – the consequences that ripple across a place – must be taken into account.

    The best climate adaptation plans recognise that vulnerability varies across places, contexts and over time. The most effective are holistic: tailored to specific locations and every aspect of society.

    Assessments must also consider both climatic and non-climatic features of risk. In 2015, in the UK, a flood affected one of Lancaster’s electrical substations, causing a city-wide power failure that took several days to rectify. In this instance, as with so many others, people had to deal not just with the direct impacts of flooding, but the ‘cascading’ or knock-on impacts of infrastructure damage.



    Read more:
    Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature

    Many existing assessments have limited scope. But others do acknowledge how ageing infrastructures and pressures to develop land to accommodate ever intensifying urban populations exacerbate urban flood risk. Others too, such as the recently published Cambridge climate risk plan, detail how climate risk intersects with the range of services provided by local government.

    Systems thinking – an approach to problem-solving that views problems as part of wider, interconnected systems – can be applied to identify interdependencies with other drivers of change.

    Good risk assessments will, for example, take note of demographics, age profiles and the socio-economic circumstances of neighbourhoods, enabling targeted support for particularly vulnerable communities. This can help ensure communities and systems adapt to evolving challenges as climate change intensifies, and as society evolves over time.

    Complex though this might be, city leaders can access advice about improving risk assessments, including from the C40 network, a global coalition of 100 mayors committed to addressing climate change.

    3. Transformative action

    There is no such thing as a natural disaster. The effects of disasters including floods and earthquakes are influenced by pre-existing, often chronic, social and economic conditions such as poverty or poor housing.

    Progressive climate resilience looks beyond the immediacy of shocks, attending to the underlying root causes of vulnerability and inequality. This ensures that society is not only better prepared to withstand adverse events in the future, but thrives in the face of uncertainty.

    Progressive climate resilience therefore demands tailored responses depending on the population and place. In Bangladesh, for instance, communities are building floating gardens to grow crops during floods. These enhance food security and provide a sustainable livelihood option in flood-prone areas.

    Floating vegetable gardens in Bangladesh.
    Mostafijur Rahman Nasim/Shutterstock



    Read more:
    Climate change isn’t fair but Tony Juniper’s new book explains how a green transition could be ‘just’

    4. Collective approaches

    Effective climate resilience demands collective action. Sometimes referred to as a “whole of society” response, this entails collaboration and shared responsibility to address the multifaceted challenges posed by a changing climate.

    The most effective initiatives avoid self-protection, of people, buildings and cities alike, and consider both broader and longer-term risks. For instance, developments not at significant risk should still incorporate adaptation measures including rainwater harvesting or enhanced greening to lower a city’s climate risk profile and benefit local communities, neighbouring authorities and surrounding regions.

    So, progressive resilience is connected, comprehensive and inclusive. Solidarity is key, leveraging resources to address common challenges and fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support.

    Solar panels on the surface of a reservoir not only provide a source of renewable energy but also provide shade and therefore help conserve water.
    Tom Wang/Shutterstock

    5. Exploiting co-benefits

    The most effective resilience projects exploit co-benefits – what the UN calls “multiple resilience dividends” – to leverage additional benefits across sectors and policies, reducing vulnerability to shocks while addressing other social and environmental challenges.

    In northern Europe, for example, moorlands can be restored to retain water helping alleviate downstream flooding, but also to capture carbon and provide vital habitats for biodiversity.

    In south-East Asia solar panels installed on reservoirs generate renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing shade to reduce evaporation and conserve water resources during droughts.

    In short, adaptation is obviously crucial for tackling climate change across the globe. But the real challenge is to deal with the impacts of climate change while simultaneously creating communities that are fairer, healthier, and better equipped to face any manner of future risks.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Paul O’Hare receives funding from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Award reference NE/V010174/1.

    – ref. Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-make-cities-more-resilient-to-climate-change-252853

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Condemn Trump and DOGE for Gutting AmeriCorps

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 28, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chris Coons (D-DE), along with 146 fellow Congressional colleagues, called out President Donald Trump for targeting AmeriCorps and NCC AmeriCorps members, demanding he reverse cuts to the program made last week by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Trump Administration placed a majority of AmeriCorps employees on leave last week as part of DOGE’s broader spending cuts. Programs such as AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors deploy more than 200,000 Americans annually to carry out results-driven projects at over 35,000 locations across the country. Working in partnership with thousands of nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations, these dedicated volunteers and workers help promote employment opportunities, strengthen the workforce and support those in need.
    “We are deeply concerned these actions will prevent the agency from continuing to deliver critical services, which include supporting veterans, fighting wildfires, tutoring in schools, combatting the fentanyl epidemic, and much more,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Trump. 
    The lawmakers highlighted the program’s benefits to society, to AmeriCorps members and to the federal government—pointing to a non-partisan study showing that there are an estimated $17 in benefits returned for every taxpayer dollar spent. Additionally, the recently passed Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025 maintains AmeriCorps funding at its fiscal year 2024 level and serves as a continuing resolution to extend federal government funding through the end of fiscal year 2025. The senators emphasized that the administration is expected to implement the law in a manner consistent with the funding levels enacted in fiscal year 2024. Failing to do so would be a violation of the law.
    “If not reversed, these recent actions will both stop current programs and prevent timely and efficient execution of the agency’s fiscal year 2025 appropriations, delaying or even halting the recruitment and deployment of new AmeriCorps members around the country,” the lawmakers added.
    AmeriCorps programs serve communities nationwide, where roughly 200 AmeriCorps members and more than 1,000 AmeriCorps Seniors respond to disasters, improve housing, help veterans and support educational services. If the Trump Administration’s actions aren’t reversed, these critical services could come to a halt.
    “We are deeply concerned that this is the goal: to eliminate AmeriCorps, in direct conflict with recently enacted appropriations. However, even delays will disrupt programs Americans rely on for their health, education, and safety. We urge you to reverse these actions and instead work with Congress on bipartisan improvements to AmeriCorps so that more Americans have the opportunity to serve their communities,” the lawmakers concluded. 
    In addition to Duckworth, Durbin and Coons, the letter is co-signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Fetterman (D-PA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and 103 other House Representatives signed on.
    Full text of the letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    We write to express our strong support for AmeriCorps and urge you to reverse both the recall of all NCCC AmeriCorps members and the recently implemented drastic reductions in force across the AmeriCorps agency. We are deeply concerned these actions will prevent the agency from continuing to deliver critical services, which include supporting veterans, fighting wildfires, tutoring in schools, combatting the fentanyl epidemic, and much more.
    For more than thirty years, AmeriCorps has been our nation’s leading provider of grants that support and promote national service and volunteerism. Through programs like AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, more than 200,000 Americans participate in results-driven service projects at more than 35,000 locations across the country each year. Working hand in hand with thousands of nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations, these dedicated Americans recruit and manage millions of additional volunteers as they work to promote employment opportunities, prepare a better-trained workforce, and provide essential services to veterans, children, and seniors. AmeriCorps’ track record of delivering for Americans has earned broad and longstanding support from business leaders, mayors, and governors of both parties.
    AmeriCorps is a public-private partnership that leverages approximately $1 billion in matched resources from the private sector, foundations, and local agencies to support organizations across the country working in creative ways to tackle our most persistent and costly challenges. While it is important the agency continues to make measurable progress toward an improved audit performance, federal investments in AmeriCorps already deliver returns for the American people. A 2020 study found that for every one dollar that Congress appropriates to AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs, they return over $17 in benefits to society, program members, and the government. Further, the AmeriCorps programs are a smart investment in our country’s future. AmeriCorps service allows members to gain marketable job skills in high-demand fields and pursue higher education, preparing more Americans to succeed in the workforce. We have seen firsthand the critical impact these programs have across the states we represent. We urge the administration to continue implementing the statutory requirements of the national service laws:
    Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113.
    National and Community Service Act of 1990, Public Law 101-610.
    National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, Public Law 103-82.
    Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009, Public Law 111-13.
    Additionally, Congress recently passed the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2025, which maintained funding for AmeriCorps at its Fiscal Year 2024 level. We expect that the administration will implement this law in a manner consistent with the allocations enacted in Fiscal Year 2024. However, we have grave concerns that significant reductions in force will prevent AmeriCorps from being able to effectively and efficiently award appropriated funding to programs operating in communities across the country.
    We are deeply concerned by reports that a majority of AmeriCorps staff have been placed on administrative leave and that more than 750 NCCC members have already been recalled from their field assignments. Many of these volunteers were working in disaster response roles, including building homes for individuals who lost theirs in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. If not reversed, these recent actions will both stop current programs and prevent timely and efficient execution of the agency’s fiscal year 2025 appropriations, delaying or even halting the recruitment and deployment of new AmeriCorps members around the country. We are deeply concerned that is the goal: to eliminate AmeriCorps, in direct conflict with recently enacted appropriations. However, even delays will disrupt programs Americans rely on for their health, education, and safety. We urge you to reverse these actions and instead work with Congress on bipartisan improvements to AmeriCorps so that more Americans have the opportunity to serve their communities.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Secretary Chris Wright Delivers Keynote Remarks at the Three Seas Business Forum in Warsaw, Poland

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WARSAW, POLAND— U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivered keynote remarks today at the Inaugural Session of the Three Seas Business Forum. 

    Secretary Wright’s full remarks from the Three Seas Business Forum are below:

    It is a great honor to stand here before you all at the 2025 Three Seas. A truly visionary idea from 10 years ago to unite the proud Central European nations in building infrastructure and investment in pursuit of opportunity and prosperity.

    Eight years ago, President Trump addressed the Three Seas right here in Poland and I will quote his words: “We support your drive for greater prosperity and security. We applaud your initiative to expand infrastructure. And we welcome this historic opportunity to deepen our economic partnership with your region.” 

    I can’t top those words, but I can reiterate them today. The United States stands here in partnership with all of you. We seek to work with you all for much betterment via energy, economic and strategic cooperation. 

    President Trump’s agenda is simple: Prosperity at home and peace abroad. He was elected by the American people to bring back commonsense to Washington and focus on bettering the lives of our citizens and our allies. I am in a room full of allies. Thank you all for that. 

    I thank Poland for hosting this fabulous conference and for inviting me to attend. I thank Poland and its people for its steadfast alliance with the United States that began with our Revolutionary War and continues today, as evidenced by our growing cooperation in LNG and our large-scale partnership in nuclear energy that was highlighted earlier today with a signing ceremony and press conference. 

    This nuclear partnership is strategic and long-lasting. It will grow and scale as we jointly pursue expansions of nuclear deployment in Poland and other countries. I am here to celebrate this emerging nuclear partnership between the United States and Poland, made possible through the tireless efforts of President Duda and Prime Minister Tusk.

    Partnership in energy, if chosen wisely, tends to be very long lasting. The U.S. nuclear relationship with Poland will tightly bind our nations through the next century. I will come back to natural gas and nuclear at the end of my words. 

    This visit is personal to me. I love the Three Seas nations. You have faced grave geopolitical challenges throughout history and have always faced them with courageous resolve. 

    I traveled on my own to Czechoslovakia — yes, that was a country then — and Hungary in 1987. I saw a people struggling under an external yoke and stymied in their pursuit of freedom and prosperity. Yet, I also saw unbowed commitment to our universal values and a yearning for freedom. I engaged in hushed conversations with those that I met. I left with the conclusion that surely this externally imposed suppression cannot last forever. 

    Little did I realize then that it would all come crashing down only two and half years later. Amen. A fork in the road arrived and Central Europe chose freedom and prosperity. 

    As a lifelong energy entrepreneur, please allow me to be blunt regarding another fork in the road. This is a “time for choosing”, to quote the late, great President Ronald Reagan. 

    After the Global Financial Crisis 15 years ago, the major nations of Western Europe — not Central Europe — choose one side of a fork in the road and the U.S. chose the other side. On one side is energy for the sake of human flourishing. Energy that is abundant, secure, affordable and reliable. Energy that comes from innovation and choice. 

    This is the road to economic growth, advancing the interests of our citizens and securing the economic and national security of our nations. A simple realization that energy’s true purpose is to better human lives. Full stop. 

    I testified in the British House of Lords more than a decade ago, urging the U.K. to choose our side of the fork. I failed. 

    The other side of the fork deprives citizens, consumers of choice. It is top-down imposition of mandates for the energy system. This top-down imposition of enforced “climate policies” is justified as necessary to save the world from climate change. 

    Might the causation actually run in the opposite direction? Could it be instead that a desire to grow centralization and re-establish top-down control is best served by climate alarmism? Is it the chicken or the egg? I don’t know.

    But I can say that climate alarmism has clearly reduced energy freedom, and, hence, prosperity and national security across Western Europe. Let me say that again. Climate alarmism has reduced freedom, prosperity, and national security. 

    On the other hand, top-down diktats have not been successful in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. They have indeed reduced local Western European greenhouse gas emissions. Europe, however, represents only 8% of global emissions and this impoverishing energy model is unlikely to spread globally because the emissions reductions are mainly due to two highly undesirable factors: 

    First, as Germany and the U.K. have both illustrated, an expensive and unreliable energy system drives industry and economic activity out of national borders and towards other nations with more rational energy policies. Moving industry from your nation and to another nation. Is that success? I suggest it is not. 

    Second, we have seen that more expensive energy imposes on citizens an economic necessity to reduce energy consumption and shrink families spending power, which limits a nation’s citizens’ pursuit of hopes and dreams. 

    Germany has more than doubled its electricity generation capacity over the last 15 years, yet German electricity production today is 20% below where it was 15 years ago. And each unit of electricity has tripled in cost. Is that success?

    Let me illustrate my point via a macroeconomic comparison of the EU and the U.S. over the last 15 years since the fork in the road. 

    In 2010, the U.S. and the EU each represented roughly 25% of global consumption. Today, U.S. consumption has risen to 28% of global consumption and EU consumption has declined to only 18% in dollar terms. This data is from 2023, but I have not seen any recent reversal of this trend. 

    Surely many things are responsible for this dramatic divergence. It is my belief that diverging energy pathways has been the largest driver of economic outcomes. Affordable, reliable, secure energy is essential to economic prosperity and national security.

    The previous U.S. administration worked hard to move the United States onto that same fork. The fork with mandated, top-down, expensive, unreliable energy that would drive de-industrialization of America. The American people rejected this pathway after seeing the ruinous toll that lay down that road. Instead, they re-elected President Trump to bring back freedom and prosperity. 

    Before I conclude let me say a few more words about climate change. I have been engaged in the climate discussion for over 20 years, mostly in the areas of physical science and economics.

    Unfortunately, most of the climate action we hear today in the media has been in the politics and social science areas of climate change. I urge a little more focus on the science and economics. I believe that might help drive a more balanced and beneficial approach. 

    While climate change is a real physical phenomenon, nothing in the data indicates that climate change is even close to the world’s most urgent problem. In fact, the clarion conclusion from economic studies of climate change is that Net Zero 2050 is absolutely the wrong goal. Not only is it unachievable, but the blind pursuit of it will cause, is causing, far more human damage than climate change itself. 

    Over two billion people today still lack access to basic energy services like clean cooking fuels. Millions annually die from indoor air pollution from burning wood and dung indoors. More than half of humanity is still living their lives in hand washed cloths still not utilizing the enormous time-saving and women-liberating benefits of washing machines.

    Today, folks struggling to pay their bills while aspiring to live highly energized lifestyles like you and I is a far bigger global challenge than climate change. Energy access is far too important to get wrong. 

    Only a billion people live the highly energized lifestyles of the people in this room traveling to conferences, having custom controls on our temperatures, turning off our cooking stoves when we want, driving around in motorized transport or riding in motorized transport. Seven billion people only aspire to what we have. Fulfilling their energy aspirations is the energy challenge of our time. 

    For my friends tightly focused on climate change, no nation has reduced greenhouse gas emissions more than the United States. While the U.S. gets a little more than 80% of our energy from hydrocarbons, Germany still gets 74%. A little difference. Not a lot. Although the difference in human opportunity through energy cost and availability is a lot. 

    It turns out to be very hard to transform energy systems. Decarbonization will likely take generations. Only time and innovation will deliver the low-carbon affordable, reliable secure energy that will gain widespread adoption.

    The two biggest “climate solutions” in the coming decades are the same as they were in the last two decades, natural gas and nuclear, for the simple reason that they work. They supply affordable, reliable, secure energy. 

    Central Europe faces a time for choosing. You all have a long history of choosing freedom and sovereignty for your citizens. 

    We warmly welcome you to join us on Team Energy Freedom and prosperity for citizens. President Trump’s agenda of prosperity at home and peace abroad is a team sport! God bless you all.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul O’Hare, Lecturer in Human Geography and Urban Development, Manchester Metropolitan University

    John_T/Shutterstock

    Climate breakdown poses immense threats to global economies, societies and ecosystems. Adapting to these impacts is urgent. But many cities and countries remain chronically unprepared in what the UN calls an “adaptation gap”.

    Building climate resilience is notoriously difficult. Economic barriers limit investment in infrastructure and technology. Social inequities undermine the capacity of vulnerable populations to adapt. And inconsistent policies impede coordinated efforts across sectors and at scale.

    My research looks at how cities can better cope with climate change. I have identified five ways to catalyse more effective – and ultimately more progressive – climate adaptation and resilience.

    1. Don’t just ‘bounce back’ after a crisis

    When wildfires, storms or floods hit, all too often governments prioritise rebuilding as rapidly as possible.

    Though understandable, resilience doesn’t just entail coping with the effects of climate change. Instead of “bouncing back” to a pre-shock status, those in charge of responding need to encourage “bouncing forward”, creating places that are at less risk in the first place.

    After the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011, the New Zealand authorities “built back better”, improving building codes and regulations and relocating vulnerable communities. Critics suggested reconstruction provided too much uncertainty and failed to acknowledge private property rights. But the rebuild did encourage better integration of planning policies and land use practices.



    Read more:
    ‘Build back better’ sounds great in theory, but does the government really know what it means in practice?

    Swales and sustainable urban drainage in Gorton climate resilient park, Manchester, UK.
    Paul O’Hare, CC BY-NC-ND

    2. Informed by risk

    It can be difficult to predict what the consequences of a crisis might be. Cities are complex, interconnected places. Transboundary risks – the consequences that ripple across a place – must be taken into account.

    The best climate adaptation plans recognise that vulnerability varies across places, contexts and over time. The most effective are holistic: tailored to specific locations and every aspect of society.

    Assessments must also consider both climatic and non-climatic features of risk. In 2015, in the UK, a flood affected one of Lancaster’s electrical substations, causing a city-wide power failure that took several days to rectify. In this instance, as with so many others, people had to deal not just with the direct impacts of flooding, but the ‘cascading’ or knock-on impacts of infrastructure damage.



    Read more:
    Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature

    Many existing assessments have limited scope. But others do acknowledge how ageing infrastructures and pressures to develop land to accommodate ever intensifying urban populations exacerbate urban flood risk. Others too, such as the recently published Cambridge climate risk plan, detail how climate risk intersects with the range of services provided by local government.

    Systems thinking – an approach to problem-solving that views problems as part of wider, interconnected systems – can be applied to identify interdependencies with other drivers of change.

    Good risk assessments will, for example, take note of demographics, age profiles and the socio-economic circumstances of neighbourhoods, enabling targeted support for particularly vulnerable communities. This can help ensure communities and systems adapt to evolving challenges as climate change intensifies, and as society evolves over time.

    Complex though this might be, city leaders can access advice about improving risk assessments, including from the C40 network, a global coalition of 100 mayors committed to addressing climate change.

    3. Transformative action

    There is no such thing as a natural disaster. The effects of disasters including floods and earthquakes are influenced by pre-existing, often chronic, social and economic conditions such as poverty or poor housing.

    Progressive climate resilience looks beyond the immediacy of shocks, attending to the underlying root causes of vulnerability and inequality. This ensures that society is not only better prepared to withstand adverse events in the future, but thrives in the face of uncertainty.

    Progressive climate resilience therefore demands tailored responses depending on the population and place. In Bangladesh, for instance, communities are building floating gardens to grow crops during floods. These enhance food security and provide a sustainable livelihood option in flood-prone areas.

    Floating vegetable gardens in Bangladesh.
    Mostafijur Rahman Nasim/Shutterstock



    Read more:
    Climate change isn’t fair but Tony Juniper’s new book explains how a green transition could be ‘just’

    4. Collective approaches

    Effective climate resilience demands collective action. Sometimes referred to as a “whole of society” response, this entails collaboration and shared responsibility to address the multifaceted challenges posed by a changing climate.

    The most effective initiatives avoid self-protection, of people, buildings and cities alike, and consider both broader and longer-term risks. For instance, developments not at significant risk should still incorporate adaptation measures including rainwater harvesting or enhanced greening to lower a city’s climate risk profile and benefit local communities, neighbouring authorities and surrounding regions.

    So, progressive resilience is connected, comprehensive and inclusive. Solidarity is key, leveraging resources to address common challenges and fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support.

    Solar panels on the surface of a reservoir not only provide a source of renewable energy but also provide shade and therefore help conserve water.
    Tom Wang/Shutterstock

    5. Exploiting co-benefits

    The most effective resilience projects exploit co-benefits – what the UN calls “multiple resilience dividends” – to leverage additional benefits across sectors and policies, reducing vulnerability to shocks while addressing other social and environmental challenges.

    In northern Europe, for example, moorlands can be restored to retain water helping alleviate downstream flooding, but also to capture carbon and provide vital habitats for biodiversity.

    In south-East Asia solar panels installed on reservoirs generate renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing shade to reduce evaporation and conserve water resources during droughts.

    In short, adaptation is obviously crucial for tackling climate change across the globe. But the real challenge is to deal with the impacts of climate change while simultaneously creating communities that are fairer, healthier, and better equipped to face any manner of future risks.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Paul O’Hare receives funding from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Award reference NE/V010174/1.

    – ref. Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-make-cities-more-resilient-to-climate-change-252853

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: ReversingLabs Named Winner of the Global InfoSec Awards at RSA 2025 Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ReversingLabs Spectra Assure® Named Most Advanced Software Supply Chain Security Solution

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RSAC 2025: Booth N-4428 — ReversingLabs (RL), the trusted name in file and software security, today announced that Spectra Assure has been named a winner in the Top Global InfoSec Awards in the Most Advanced Software Supply Chain Security category from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine.

    “At this year’s RSA conference, conversations about software supply chain security threats remain front and center, with awareness shifting from threats hiding within open source to identifying and eliminating malware and tampering within the largest and most under-addressed attack surface for enterprises today, third-party commercial software,” said Mario Vuksan, CEO and co-founder, ReversingLabs. “We are excited that Cyber Defense Magazine has recognized Spectra Assure, which is helping software vendors and enterprise buyers see and stop supply chain threats they never could before with their legacy AST solutions.”

    The 2025 Global InfoSec Award winners were announced today during RSAC 2025 in San Francisco. You can access the complete list of winners at http://www.cyberdefenseawards.com.

    “ReversingLabs embodies three major features we judges look for to become winners: understanding tomorrow’s threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution, and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach,” said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine.

    ReversingLabs at RSAC 2025
    In addition to the award, RL executives will be on-site at this week’s RSA Conference at Booth #N-4428, where attendees can hear about Spectra Assure and the recent news that it has expanded support for CycloneDX Extended Bill of Materials (xBOMs), including Cryptographic Bill of Materials (CBOM), Software-as-a-Service Bill of Materials (SaaSBOM), and Machine Learning Bill of Materials (ML-BOM), providing the most comprehensive xBOM and risk analysis for fully compiled commercial software.

    RL executives will be speaking about current software supply chain challenges and opportunities. Details include:

    • ReversingLabs: What’s in Your Commercial Software?
    • Executive: RL Chief Trust Officer Saša Zdjelar
    • Time: Tuesday, April 29 from 12:40 PM – 1:00 PM PT
    • Location: Briefing Center, South Expo Hall, S-2100
    • Topic:  How the attacks on SolarWinds, CodeCov, and 3CX show that enterprises need a better tool to identify the risks in third-party commercial software beyond vulnerabilities. Come learn why SBOMs and questionnaires won’t protect your business from third-party software risks like malware and tampering and how two F100 companies use binary analysis to stay safe.

    Additionally, the RL booth will feature the second annual RL Book Club at RSAC. This year’s authors include:

    • Michael Sikorski, author of Practical Malware Analysis: The Hands-On Guide to Dissecting Malicious Software
      Date / Time: Tuesday, April 29 at 2 pm PT
    • Joseph Menn, author of Cult of the Dead Cow: How the Original Hacking Supergroup Might Just Save the World
      Date / Time: Wednesday, April 30 at 2 pm PT

    For complete details on all ReversingLabs RSA activities and to schedule a meeting, visit here. For additional details on the award-winning Spectra Assure software supply chain security solution, click here.

    About ReversingLabs
    ReversingLabs is the trusted name in file and software security. We provide the modern cybersecurity platform to verify and deliver safe binaries. Trusted by the Fortune 500 and leading cybersecurity vendors, RL Spectra Core powers the software supply chain and file security insights, tracking over 422 billion searchable files with the ability to deconstruct full software binaries in seconds to minutes. Only ReversingLabs provides that final exam to determine whether a single file or full software binary presents a risk to your organization and your customers.

    About Cyber Defense Magazine
    Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of cyber security news and information for InfoSec professionals in business and government. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products, and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives. Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is power.

    Media Contact
    Doug Fraim
    Guyer Group
    Doug@Guyergroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huffman, Merkley Lead Bill to End Drilling in the Arctic Ocean

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    April 22, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – On Earth Day, U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act, which would permanently ban new or renewed leases for oil, gas, or mineral extraction in the Arctic Ocean Planning Areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. This legislation protects one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems and all the Alaska Native communities that rely on it, closing the door on future drilling in the region once and for all.

    “Big Oil sees a melting Arctic as a business opportunity. I see it as our final wake-up call,” said Ranking Member Huffman. “We can either let polluters exploit this sacred region — threatening fragile ecosystems, endangered wildlife, and Indigenous communities who have protected these waters since time immemorial — or rise to the occasion and safeguard the Arctic from irreversible harm. There is no safe way to drill in the Arctic Ocean, but there is a safer, cleaner, more just path forward. My Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act is our chance to take that path and respond to the climate crisis with the urgency and leadership it demands.”

    “Trump’s Dirty Energy First strategy would see his administration expand Arctic Ocean drilling—all to enrich billionaire corporate polluters,” said Senator Merkley. “Communities across America and around the world right now face the devastating impacts of climate chaos, which disproportionately harm Alaska’s Native and rural populations that depend on healthy Arctic ecosystems for their livelihoods. It’s time to make this region permanently off-limits for oil and gas corporations, and Congress must stop the Trump Administration from opening up more of the Arctic and protected waters off our coasts for dangerous drilling. We must protect our oceans, planet, and future.”
     

    BACKGROUND

    The Arctic Ocean is a place of rich biodiversity and some of the planet’s most delicate ecosystems. For Alaska Native communities like the Iñupiat, the Arctic Ocean is a lifeline, sustaining transportation, food security, and cultural traditions passed down for generations. But the region is in crisis—warming four times faster than the rest of the planet and facing rapid sea ice loss, ocean acidification, and widespread ecological disruption.

    The High Arctic is a bellwether for climate collapse, warming at breakneck speed and facing growing pressure from industrial expansion. Oil and gas development here threatens to irreparably damage ecosystems that have withstood extremes for millennia. That threat escalated with the Interior Secretary Burgum’s latest move to designate the High Arctic as a new planning area in its 11th Offshore Leasing Program — a clear sign that no corner of the Arctic is safe from corporate polluters under the Trump administration.

    President Obama permanently protected these waters in 2016. Just a year later, President Trump attempted to undo those protections, illegally moving to reopen the Arctic to drilling on his first day in office. A judge in the District Court for Alaska later determined that the underlying statute does not give the president authority to revoke prior withdrawals. President Trump has again sought to illegally open the Arctic to drilling during his second term. But his intentions have been clear from the start: during his first administration, the Interior Department proposed a sweeping offshore leasing plan with 47 lease sales across nearly every U.S. coastline, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.

    Drilling in the Arctic presents uniquely dangerous risks due to the region’s extreme cold, treacherous seas, and prolonged periods of darkness during the winter months. These harsh and unpredictable conditions not only increase the chances of catastrophic spills, but also make emergency response efforts significantly more difficult and delayed, increasing the threat to nearby communities, fragile ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them.

    Scientists estimate that ending new offshore drilling could prevent up to 19 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions, a crucial step toward meeting our climate goals. The Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act is a cornerstone in the fight to end our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels and build a cleaner, safer future. 

    Companion legislation was introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley.

    Original cosponsors of the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act
    House:     Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.).
    Senate: Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

    Statements of Support

    Alaska Wilderness League
    “We applaud Rep. Huffman and Rep. Merkley for their leadership in introducing this vital bill to protect the Arctic Ocean from destructive drilling,” said Alex Cohen, Government Affairs Director at Alaska Wilderness League. “Oil giants like Shell have already abandoned their attempts to drill here, proving that this extreme region is too risky, too expensive, and incompatible with a thriving Arctic ecosystem. These waters are home to beluga whales, walruses, and some of the most resilient yet vulnerable wildlife on Earth—species that cannot afford the dangers of oil spills and climate disruption. Keeping the Arctic Ocean free from drilling isn’t just about protecting biodiversity; it’s about upholding our responsibility to future generations.” 

    NRDC
    “The Trump administration is determined to sell off our oceans to pad Big Oil pockets. Permanently protecting the Arctic Ocean puts coastal communities and wildlife above polluters and brings us closer to a world where our waters are free from oil spills, endangered whale populations are free from seismic blasting, and Arctic ecosystems have a chance to thrive,” said Taryn Kiekow Heimer, Director of Ocean Energy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council).  “Now more than ever, we need leadership from Congress to set us back on track to tackle climate change and protect our ocean from an industry that only cares about its bottom line.”

    Defenders of Wildlife
    “Drilling in Arctic waters would disrupt and ultimately devastate fragile habitats for many species that may not withstand the stresses of offshore drilling. These areas — crucial to the survival of polar bears and other marine life — make up some of the few remaining pristine American landscapes and deserve protection,” said Nicole Whittington-Evans, Defenders of Wildlife Senior Director of Alaska and Northwest Programs.
      
    The Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act is endorsed by Alaska Wilderness League, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Earthjustice, Surfrider Foundation, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club, Lee (MA) Greener Gateway Committee, South Shore Audubon Society (Freeport, NY), Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Oceana, Ocean Conservancy, Environment America; Food & Water Watch, Environmental Protection Information Center, Peace Boat US, Defenders of Wildlife, Ocean Defense Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Project, Animal Welfare Institute, Wild Cumberland, Climate Reality Project – North Broward and Palm Beach County Chapter, U.S. Climate Action Network, American Bird Conservancy, Clean Ocean Action, and Hispanic Access Foundation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Huffman, Pallone, and Castor Introduce Bills to Permanently Protect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans from Offshore Drilling

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    April 22, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – On Earth Day, Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), announced a package of legislation to permanently protect the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean from the dangers of fossil fuel drilling. This package includes Rep. Huffman’s West Coast Ocean Protection Act, Rep. Pallone’s Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act, and Rep. Castor’s Florida Coast Protection Act. 

    This legislation comes days after the 15th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which resulted in the deaths of 11 workers, 134 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf over 87 days, the demise of thousands of marine mammals and sea turtles, and billions of dollars in economic losses from the fishing, outdoor recreation, and tourism industries.  

    “It’s clear that in the 15 years since the most catastrophic oil spill disaster in history, Republicans in the pocket of Big Oil have learned nothing. Offshore drilling poses significant threats to our public health, coastal economies, and marine life. The science is clear, and so is the public sentiment: we need to speed up our transition to a clean energy future, not lock ourselves into another generation of fossil fuel fealty,” said Ranking Member Huffman. “We cannot let history repeat itself. My Democratic colleagues aren’t standing idly by as the Trump administration tries to reverse all of our progress so they can give handouts to Big Oil. Our legislation will cut pollution and ramp up clean energy, ensuring our coasts remain safe, clean, and open to all Americans— not turned into open season for fossil fuel billionaires looking to drill, spill, and cash in.”

    “We must end offshore oil drilling in coastal waters once and for all,” said Senator Padilla. “Over 50 years ago, after a catastrophic oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Californians rose up and demanded environmental protections, spurring the modern environmental movement and creating the very first Earth Day. As the Trump Administration threatens to recklessly open our coasts to new drilling, California and the West Coast need permanent safeguards to protect our communities from the devastation of fossil fuels and disastrous oil spills. We must act now to fulfill the promises we made to our children and our constituents to meet the urgency of this environmental crisis with bold action.” 

    “This week marks both Earth Day and the 15th anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster,” said Senator Booker. “I’m standing alongside my colleagues in the House and Senate to reaffirm our commitment to protecting our communities and our environment. Offshore drilling endangers our coastal communities – both their lives and their livelihoods – and threatens marine species and ecosystems. The COAST Act, along with this critical package of legislation, will ensure that marine seascapes along the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, and the wildlife, industries, and communities that rely on them, are protected from the dangers of fossil fuel drilling. 

    “Offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean would open up the eastern seaboard to considerable risk, and we have seen the destruction that an accident can cause. This legislation is about more than simply protecting the environment, it’s also about protecting the tourism and fishing industries that create jobs and help power Rhode Island’s economy,” said Senator Reed.

    “For decades, I’ve fought to protect our coasts from the dangers of oil and gas development, and this legislative package reaffirms that commitment. Offshore drilling risks devastating spills, accelerates climate change, and threatens the livelihoods of coastal communities like those in New Jersey. On Earth Day and every day, we must stand up to Big Oil and prioritize renewable energy that actually protects our planet,” Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

    “Florida is a beautiful but fragile place, and we depend on clean water and healthy beaches,” said Rep. Castor. “I’m proud to lead the Florida Coastal Protection Act as part of this larger package to stop dangerous oil drilling near our coasts for good. The Deepwater Horizon disaster served as a wake-up call, as the blowout hurt people, our environment and our economy. We can’t let that happen again. Our beaches, fishing, and tourism are too important to risk. We must protect our oceans, our way of life and our future.”

    These bills reaffirm vital protections for America’s coastal communities and ecosystems. Under President Biden, more than 625 million acres of U.S. ocean waters—including the entire East Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and parts of the Northern Bering Sea—were permanently protected from offshore oil and gas drilling. President Trump wasted no time trying to rollback those protections, attempting to illegally reopen those same areas to drilling on day one of his second term. His record speaks for itself: during his first administration, the Interior Department proposed a sweeping plan to open 47 offshore oil and gas lease areas across nearly every U.S. coastline, from California to New England.

    Congressional Democrats are taking a stand to protect coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems. U.S. coastal counties support 54.6 million jobs, $10 trillion in goods and services, and pay $4 trillion in wages. Offshore drilling poses significant threats to our public health, coastal economies, and marine life. Our oceans are home to diverse marine wildlife, including the California sea lion, North Atlantic right whale, yellowtail flounder, and countless other economically, ecologically, and culturally important species. There is a long history of bipartisan efforts to protect U.S. coasts from offshore drilling to safeguard our oceans’ enormous environmental, economic, and cultural values, safeguard coastal communities, restore ecosystems, and defend against climate change. 

    Rep. Huffman’s West Coast Ocean Protection Act prohibits new oil and gas leases off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. Companion legislation was introduced today by Sen. Padilla.

    Rep. Pallone’s COAST Anti-Drilling Act permanently prohibits the U.S. Department of Interior from issuing leases for the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida Planning Areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Companion legislation was introduced by Sen. Booker and Sen. Reed.

    Rep. Castor’s Florida Coast Protection Act places a permanent moratorium on oil and natural gas preleasing, leasing, and related activities off Florida’s coast. 

    Other offshore drilling legislation introduced by House Democrats include: 

    • New England Coastal Protection Act of 2025 (Rep. Magaziner)
    • Defend our Coast Act (Rep. Ross)
    • California Clean Coast Act of 2025 (Rep. Carbajal)
    • Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act (Rep. Levin)
    • Central Coast of California Conservation Act of 2025 (Rep. Panetta)

    Original cosponsors of the West Coast Ocean Protection Act

    House: Representatives Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), 

    Senate: Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Original cosponsors of the COAST Anti-Drilling Act 

    House: Representatives Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Thomas Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Robyn McIver (D-N.C.), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), David Scott (D-Ga.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).

    Senate: Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Original cosponsors of the Florida Coast Protection Act 

    House: Representatives Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).

    Read Statements of Support

    Supporters of the COAST Anti-Drilling Act include Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Oceana, Surfrider Foundation, Earthjustice, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club, Lee (MA) Greener Gateway Committee, South Shore Audubon Society (Freeport, NY), Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Futureswell, Ocean Conservancy, Environment America, Food & Water Watch, Waterspirit, Business Alliance to Protect the Atlantic, Clean Ocean Action, Jersey Coast Anglers Association (NJ), American Littoral Society, Save Coastal Wildlife, Environmental Protection Information Center, Defenders of Wildlife, Ocean Defense Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Project, North Carolina Coastal Federation, Animal Welfare Institute, Wild Cumberland, Climate Reality Project – North Broward and Palm Beach County Chapter, U.S. Climate Action Network, National Aquarium, American Bird Conservancy, and Hispanic Access Foundation.

    Supporters of the West Coast Protection Act include Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Oceana, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Surfrider Foundation, Seattle Aquarium, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club, Lee (MA) Greener Gateway Committee, South Shore Audubon Society (Freeport, NY), Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Futureswell, Ocean Conservancy, Environment America, WILDCOAST, Food & Water Watch, Environmental Protection Information Center, Ocean Defense Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Project, Business Alliance to Protect the Pacific Coast, Animal Welfare Institute, Wild Cumberland, Climate Reality Project – North Broward and Palm Beach County Chapter, U.S. Climate Action Network, American Bird Conservancy, Surf Industry Members Association, Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast (BAPPC), Clean Ocean Action, and Hispanic Access Foundation.

    Supporters of the Florida Coastal Protection Act include Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Oceana, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Healthy Gulf, League of Conservation Voters, Environment America, Surfrider Foundation, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club, Lee (MA) Greener Gateway Committee, South Shore Audubon Society (Freeport, NY), Sierra Club, Ocean Conservancy, Food & Water Watch, Ocean Defense Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, The Ocean Project, Animal Welfare Institute, Wild Cumberland, Climate Reality Project – North Broward and Palm Beach County Chapter, U.S. Climate Action Network, American Bird Conservancy, Clean Ocean Action, and Hispanic Access Foundation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chia Der Jiun: Charting a steady course in a changing world

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    IMAS EXCO
    Ms Carmen Wee, IMAS CEO
    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Good morning. I am delighted to join you today at the 28th IMAS Annual Investment Conference.

    This year’s conference theme – “Navigating an Evolving Landscape” – is apt but may be understating the environment we are in today. Fundamental shifts in trade policy and the geo-strategic landscape have led us into a period of heightened uncertainty in the global economy and volatility in financial markets. In this new landscape of uncertainty and volatility, the asset management industry plays an important role in sustaining investor confidence and contributing to the resilience of markets.

    Role of Asset Management Industry to Manage Uncertainty 

    Let me focus on 3 areas that the asset management industry can help in:

    a. One, build more resilient markets;
    b. Two, provide products and portfolios that meet investors’ diversification and retirement needs; and
    c. Three, support better informed investors.

    Resilient Markets

    There are several components that contribute towards more resilient markets. Transparency, market integrity and settlement efficiency are fundamental. Regulators have a role in putting these right. Market infrastructure operators also have a role. Trading venues should be liquidity enhancing rather than liquidity fragmenting. Margin requirements should be set at levels that avoid amplifying funding stresses.

    Market participants too play a role. Leverage needs to be deployed carefully to mitigate procyclical deleveraging. To be clear, market functionality has generally remained resilient through stress episodes, including through the sharp market repricing of risks and uncertainty in April. But we are also all aware of episodes where volatility spiked and market functionality deteriorated. In August last year, Japanese equities fell sharply and VIX spiked following the unwinding of leveraged carry trades. Earlier this month, 10-year Treasuries rose 50bps over a short period of time, while the dollar weakened. A commonly heard attribution has been the unwind of leveraged trades. Crowded leveraged trades are vulnerable to changing policy, economic and market conditions. Market resilience is better assured through a diversity of market participants, employing a myriad of strategies which provides depth and two-way flows. Let me give the example of Singapore’s FX market, where MAS had sought to foster a diverse ecosystem of market participants to support depth and stability.

    a. In FX markets, we made efforts since 2018 via our Foreign Exchange E-Trading (“FXET”) initiative, to strengthen infrastructure capabilities. This has improved pricing and trade-fill efficiency while reducing latency. Over time, a diverse group of FX players have anchored their matching and pricing engines in Singapore to serve regional market participants. This enhancement of FX capabilities and infrastructure has supported FX price discovery and market functionality in this region during both Business-as-Usual and under stressed periods. Our eFX ecosystem continues to grow well with a diversity of market participants including platforms, banks, real money, hedge funds, and corporate treasuries. This has contributed to Singapore’s continued growth as a leading FX hub in Asia, with the average daily traded volumes crossing US$ 1 trillion in 2024.1

    At this time of heightened uncertainty, MAS is closely watching that Singapore’s foreign exchange and S$ money markets continue to function in an orderly manner. We also monitor the functionality of key funding markets in coordination with central banks globally.

    Products and Portfolios that Meet Diversification and Retirement Needs

    Let me turn to my second point. Asset managers are key to providing fund products that serve the savings and retirement needs for our region. Their products should contribute to portfolio diversification and help investors manage market volatility while investing for the long term. In building and delivering such products,:

    a. Asset managers must have in place an effective liquidity and market risk management framework. There is a need to run regular stress testing on your portfolio risks under conditions when volatility spikes and correlations break down. Funds should also stress your ability to handle redemption spikes amidst adverse market movements. Global regulatory bodies such as the FSB and IOSCO have made calls for further enhancements to strengthen the industry’s resilience in both normal and stressed market conditions, by reinforcing consistency between the funds’ investment strategy and liquidity of fund assets, with redemption terms. In line with this, MAS will study the need to review the current framework for liquidity risk management by asset managers, and will engage the industry when ready.
    b. Product distributors and providers should also ensure that marketing and advertisements are fair and balanced. Marketing should not over-emphasise product features that are not sustainable across a robust range of scenarios. A sudden withdrawal of such product features could cause a loss of confidence and a redemption spike.
    c. Clear and timely disclosures should be provided to investors, to enable them to make well-informed investment decisions in fast-changing market conditions.

    To provide retail investors with a wider set of investment choices, MAS is also currently consulting on a framework for private market investment funds for retail investors.

    a. Private market investments, such as private equity and infrastructure, generally have longer investment horizons and a differentiated set of risk factors that are different than public market investments. Retail investors may be interested in gaining exposure to this asset class as part of a well-diversified investment portfolio.
    b. We welcome feedback from all IMAS members as we work towards developing a balanced and risk-calibrated framework that can support the growth of a robust and sustainable market for such retail funds.

    Support Better Informed Investors

    Third, asset managers support better informed investors, through continued partnership with MAS and the MoneySense community on investor education.

    When MAS launched the national financial education programme MoneySense in 2003, one of its goals was to support consumers in becoming more self-reliant in financial affairs. This was important as consumers needed to exercise their judgement, evaluate the suitability of investments for their own needs, even as more complex and varied products entered the financial markets.

    Over the years, industry associations, including IMAS, community organisations and consumer bodies have been valuable partners. Together, MoneySense’s activities and programmes were launched to enhance consumers’ understanding of financial affairs, whether it is in managing money, insurance protection, or investing and planning for retirement.

    IMAS’ Contributions to Industry

    Let me say a few words of appreciation for IMAS’ role in galvanizing the industry.

    I am happy to see IMAS’ continued efforts to bring partners together to uplift the asset management sector. As I mentioned earlier, IMAS has played an important role in improving public education through your ongoing partnerships with MoneySense, SGX and FundSingapore. IMAS has also contributed efforts towards reskilling and upskilling for industry professionals by developing the iLEARN platform since 2019 as a one-stop platform for relevant training programmes in line with market shifts.

    I am also encouraged to know that IMAS has taken the lead to support its members to deepen expertise in sustainable finance. I am happy today to be part of a significant milestone – the launch of the IMAS Climate Handbook in partnership with Amundi. This practical guide will enable asset managers to integrate climate considerations into risk assessments as well as investment frameworks.

    In closing, as regulator and developer of the asset management industry, we share a common goal with market participants to keep our markets stable and vibrant and to ensure its sustainable growth in the face of global headwinds. MAS will continue to partner with IMAS and its members to build a more resilient, competitive, and innovative asset management ecosystem.

    Thank you and wishing you all a fulfilling Conference ahead.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients May 1 – Oct. 31 to Assist During Hot Weather Months

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients May 1 – Oct. 31 to Assist During Hot Weather Months

    Operation Fan Heat Relief Distributing Fans to Eligible Recipients May 1 – Oct. 31 to Assist During Hot Weather Months
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    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging is partnering with North Carolina area agencies on aging and local service providers to distribute fans statewide to eligible recipients through the Operation Fan Heat Relief program from May 1 – Oct. 31, 2025.

    People aged 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, are eligible to sign up for assistance from May 1 – Oct. 31, 2025, with local service providers across the state. 

    Since 1986, the relief program has purchased fans for older adults and adults with disabilities, providing them with a more comfortable living environment and reducing heat-related illnesses. Last year, the NCDHHS Division of Aging received $86,000 in donations, allowing for the distribution of 3,670 fans and 35 air conditioners in 94 North Carolina counties.

    Donations from Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress and Dominion allow regional area agencies on aging and local provider agencies to purchase fans for eligible individuals. Local provider agencies can also purchase a limited number of air conditioners for individuals with specific health conditions.

    Keeping cool is important because older individuals with chronic medical conditions are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature, and they may be taking medications that worsen the impact of extreme heat. Operation Fan Heat Relief helps vulnerable adults at risk for heat-related illnesses stay safe during the summer.

    In addition to applying for fans, people can take the following steps during high temperatures: 

    • Increase fluid intake
    • Spend time in cool or air-conditioned environments regularly
    • Reduce strenuous activity during the afternoon
    • Speak with a physician before summer about how to stay safe while taking medication that can affect the body’s ability to cool itself (e.g., high blood pressure medications)

    Individuals may contact their area agency on aging or the NCDHHS Division of Aging at 919-855-3400 for additional details.

    More information about Operation Fan Heat Relief, including tips on preparing for extreme heat and a list of local agencies distributing fans, is available at on the NCDHHS Operation Fan Heat Relief webpage.

    La División de Envejecimiento del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte se está asociando con las agencias del área sobre el envejecimiento en Carolina del Norte y los proveedores de servicios locales para distribuir ventiladores en todo el estado a personas elegibles a través del programa Operación Alivio del Calor con Ventilador del 1 de mayo al 1 de octubre de 2025.

    Las personas de 60 años o más, así como los adultos con discapacidades, son elegibles para inscribirse para esta ayuda del 1 de mayo al 31 de octubre de 2025, con proveedores de servicios locales en todo el estado. 

    Desde 1986, el programa de ayuda ha comprado ventiladores para adultos mayores y adultos con discapacidades, proporcionándoles un entorno de vida más cómodo y reduciendo las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor. El año pasado, la División de Envejecimiento del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS, por sus siglas en inglés) recibió $ 86,000 en donaciones, lo que permitió la distribución de 3,670 ventiladores y 35 acondicionadores de aire en 94 condados de Carolina del Norte.

    Las donaciones de Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress y Dominion permiten a las agencias de envejecimiento regionales del área y a las agencias de proveedores locales comprar ventiladores para las personas elegibles. Las agencias proveedoras locales también pueden comprar un número limitado de acondicionadores de aire para personas con afecciones de salud específicas.

    Mantenerse fresco es importante porque las personas mayores con afecciones médicas crónicas tienen menos probabilidades de sentir y responder a los cambios de temperatura, y pueden estar tomando medicamentos que empeoran el impacto del calor extremo. La Operación Alivio del Calor con Ventilador ayuda a los adultos vulnerables en riesgo de enfermedades relacionadas con el calor a mantenerse a salvo durante el verano.

    Además de solicitar ventiladores, las personas pueden seguir los siguientes pasos durante las altas temperaturas: 

    • Aumentar la ingesta de líquidos
    • Pasar tiempo en ambientes frescos o con aire acondicionado con regularidad
    • Reducir la actividad extenuante durante la tarde
    • Hablar con un médico antes del verano sobre cómo mantenerse seguro mientras toma medicamentos que pueden afectar la capacidad del cuerpo para enfriarse (por ejemplo, medicamentos para la presión arterial alta)

    Las personas pueden comunicarse con la agencia envejecimiento de su área o con la División de Envejecimiento del NCDHHS al 919-855-3400 para obtener más detalles.

    Puede encontrar más información sobre la Operación Alivio del Calor con Ventiladores, incluidos consejos sobre cómo prepararse para el calor extremo y una lista de las agencias locales que distribuyen ventiladores, en la página web Operación Alivio del Calor con Ventiladores del NCDHHS.

    Apr 28, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ahead of Conference of the Parties (COP30), Africa champions new approach to measuring green wealth of countries and incentivizing climate action

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    •  Proper valuation of natural capital and the ecosystem services it provides, such as carbon sequestration, is a win-win strategy for growing economies— Urama, African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org)
    • We need to make bold decisions and act swiftly to accelerate the measurement of Africa’s green wealth— Suda-Mafudze, African Union Commission.

    African leaders are advocating for a new approach to measuring the continent’s green wealth, emphasizing that current  gross domestic product measures in most African countries are outdated and underestimate their true wealth.

    They spoke on Thursday at an event hosted by the African Union Commission and the African Development Bank Group at the African Union Mission to the United States on the sidelines of the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “We need to talk the talk and walk the talk. It is time to turn our commitments and pledges into concrete actions,” said Ambassador Hilda Suda-Mafudze, Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the U.S. “We need to invest in our systems of national accounts. If we want to have accurate measures of our wealth and create a store of assets, we can leverage them to drive our ambitions of shared prosperity and sustainable development.”

    The event featured discussion of a 2024 African Development Bank Group report that found that including the value of carbon sequestered in African forests only would have resulted in an additional $66.1 billion of GDP for the continent in 2022, an expansion of about 2.2 percent. Professor Kevin Urama, African Development Bank Chief Economist and Vice President presented key findings from the report, Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations: Natural Capital and Economic Productivity in Africa.

    Leaders emphasized that a proper valuation of Africa’s natural resources would transform the continent’s financial landscape by unlocking access to global financial flows, improving national risk profiles, and creating new capacity for investments in green economies and climate-resilient infrastructure.

    This call to action comes ahead of the November UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, where African leaders are expected to press for reforms to the global economic and financial infrastructure, so these better reflect Africa’s green wealth and sustainability contributions.

    “It is time for us to redefine our identity as Africa,” said Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine in a panel discussion on practical steps towards implementing the 2025 System of National Accounts (SNAs) in Africa. “Africa is underestimated. We must work strategically to change this.”

    Panelists noted that several African countries still use SNAs dating back to 1968. SNAs are an international standard system of concepts and methods  for national accounts that have been adopted by most countries worldwide.

    Madagascar’s Minister of Economy and Finance Rindra Rabarinirinarison called for more robust technology transfer and technical capacity building to enable African countries to build proper statistical systems for natural capital. She outlined that Madagascar has launched pilot projects to leverage and measure the value of its natural resources.

    “Madagascar is a rich country but not rich,” she lamented, pointing to the country’s abundant natural resources.

    Erich Strassner from IMF’s Statistics Department described the report as transformational and assured that the Fund was ready to work with the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and governments to implement its recommendations. He emphasized the need to focus on priorities in each country, “so that together we can put together a plan to bring each country up to speed on the new system of national capital evaluation.”

     Quoting African Development Bank figures, Ambassador Suda-Mafudze observed that if countries rebased their GDP based on carbon sequestration by forests alone, the impact would be substantial, with estimated GDP increases of 38.2% in Côte d’Ivoire, 36.7% in Benin, and 33.5% in Niger. “We need to ensure a proper valuation of Africa’s green wealth. When we know the value of this significant asset base and incorporate its true value into our national accounts, we improve our economies’ risk profiles and enhance access to financial flows for financing our development,” the Ambassador said.

    In his presentation, Vice President Urama pointed to the massive economic value of Africa’s natural resources—estimated at $6.2 trillion in 2018—and the fact that the continent accounts for 26% of global forest-based carbon capture despite contributing only 4% of global carbon emissions.

    “Africa’s green wealth and the important global public goods and ecosystem services it provides to the world are often overlooked in economic valuations,” Urama said. “This significantly underestimates African countries’  gross domestic product, despite abundant green wealth.”

    He said that in addition to natural capital, ecosystem services and informal economic activities were also not factored into GDP. Revaluing these assets through Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) and the updated System of National Accounts, which includes the informal sector, could significantly increase Africa’s GDP and improve access to sustainable finance, Urama noted.

    “This is not just about correcting statistics. It’s about ensuring comparability of the measures of countries’ GDP in Africa and globally. By updating the System of National Accounts in countries, we can ensure that the basket of goods and services included in the measure of GDP of countries is the same, and avoid comparing oranges and  apples,” Urama said

    He called on African countries to allocate appropriate budgets to upgrade their National Accounting Systems and rebase their GDPs, noting that “this is a smart investment that can deliver low-hanging fruit.”  

    The Executive Secretary of the African Economic Research Consortium, Prof. Victor Murinde, described the new model developed by the African Development Bank as transformative.

     “It is a bold step to address a methodological gap in how the GDP of countries is measured to consider the true wealth of nations. Its recommendations provide rich materials for economists to work on in the coming years to improve the methodology for assessing the wealth of nations,” he remarked.

    The African Development Bank expressed a commitment to work with the World Bank, the IMF, and other partners to implement the recommendations of the report. It is also advancing practical steps that include creating standard methods to value natural resources, connecting environmental goals with other policies, training local experts across Africa, and helping African countries sell their environmental benefits in worldwide carbon markets. The Bank Group will also host the African Natural Capital Accounting Community of Practice

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides, are all around you − new research will help scientists describe how they work

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jacqueline Reber, Associate Professor of Earth, Atmosphere, and Climate, Iowa State University

    Sand is one type of granular system – hundreds of grains act collectively. Nenov/Moment via Getty Images

    Did you eat cereal this morning? Or have you walked on a gravel path? Maybe you had a headache and had to take a pill? If you answered any of these questions with a yes, you interacted with a granular system today.

    Scientists classify any collection of small, hard particles – such as puffed rice, sand grains or pills – as a granular system.

    Even though everyone has interacted with these kinds of systems, describing the physics of how the particles collectively act when they are close together is surprisingly hard.

    Granular systems sometimes move like a fluid. Think of an hourglass where sand, a very typical granular material, flows from one half of the glass to the other. But if you’ve run on a beach, you know that sand can also act like a solid. You can move over it without sinking through the sand.

    As a geologist, I’m interested in understanding when a granular system flows and when it has strength and behaves like a solid. This line of research is very important for many agricultural and industrial applications, such as moving corn kernels or pills in a pipeline or shoot.

    Understanding when a granular system might flow is also essential for geologic hazard assessments. For example, geologists would like to know whether the various boulders making up the slope of a mountain are stable or whether they will move as a rockslide.

    Transferring forces between grains

    To understand the behavior of a granular system, scientists can zoom in and look at the interactions between individual grains. When two particles are in contact with each other, they can transfer forces between each other.

    Imagine this scenario: You have three tennis balls – the grains in this experiment. You place the tennis balls in a row and squeeze the three balls between your hand and a wall, so that your hand presses against the first ball. The last ball is in contact with a wall, but the middle ball is free floating and touches only the other two balls.

    Tennis balls can act as grains in this simple granular system experiment. When you push against the tennis ball on the end, you exert a force, which acts upon the other two balls and eventually the wall.
    Jeremy Randolph-Flagg

    By pushing against the first ball, you have successfully transferred the force from your hand through the row of three tennis balls onto the wall, even though you’ve touched only the first ball.

    Now imagine you have many grains, like in a pile of sand, and all the sand grains are in contact with some neighboring grains. Grains that touch transfer forces between each other. How the forces are distributed in this granular system dictates whether the system is stable and unmoving or if it will move – such as a rockslide or the sand in an hourglass.

    On the left are photoelastic discs used for two-dimensional experiments (9 mm diameter), and on the right are photoelastic grains used for three-dimensional experiments (14 mm diameter).
    Nathan Coon

    Tracking forces in the lab

    This is where my research team comes in. Together with my students, I study how grains interact with each other in the laboratory.

    In our experiments, we can visualize the forces between individual grains in a granular system. While all granular systems have these forces present, we cannot see their distribution because force is invisible in most grains, such as sand or pills. We can see the forces only in some transparent materials.

    To make the forces visible, we made grains using a material that is transparent and has a special property called photoelasticity. When photoelastic materials are illuminated and experience force, they split light into two rays that travel at different speeds.

    This property forms bright, colorful bands in the otherwise transparent material that make the force visible. The brightness of the grains depends on how much force a grain is experiencing, so we can see how the forces are distributed in the granular system. The particles themselves do not emit light, but they change how fast light rays travel through them when they experience force – which makes them appear brighter.

    On side A is a three-dimensional photoelastic grain without force applied, while on side B is the same grain once force is applied. In this case, we just squish the grain from the top and bottom. The brighter green bands start at the top and bottom of the grain where the force is applied and are the result of the photoelastic property.
    Jacqueline Reber

    Scientists before us have used photoelasticity to visualize force in granular materials. These previous experiments, however, have examined only a single layer of grains. We developed a method to see the forces in not just a single layer of grains but throughout a whole heap.

    Observing the forces on the outside of the heap of grains is pretty easy, but seeing how the forces are distributed in the middle of the pile is a lot harder. To see into the middle of the granular system and to illuminate grains there, we used a laser light sheet.

    To generate a laser light sheet, we manipulated a laser beam so that the light spread out into a very narrow sheet.

    With this light sheet, we illuminated one slice throughout the granular system. On this illuminated slice, we could see which grains were transferring forces, similarly to the previous two-dimensional experiments, without having to worry about the third dimension.

    We then collected information from many slices across different parts of the grain heap. We used the information from the individual slices to reconstruct the three-dimensional granular system.

    This technique is similar to how doctors reconstruct three-dimensional shapes of the brain and other organs from the two-dimensional images obtained by a medical CT scanner.

    In 3D photoelastic experiments, the cart system shown at the top left is used to obtain regularly spaced laser light slices of the experiments, with the middle being sliced. The bottom left shows a schematic on how multiple slices can recreate a 3D object. The right shows three consecutive photos that are 0.7 cm apart – roughly one grain’s radius. The bright green crosshatch pattern shows how the forces are distributed between the individual grains.
    Nathan Coon

    In our current experiments, we’ve been using only a small number of grains – 107. This way we can keep track of every individual grain and test whether this method works to see the force distribution in three dimensions. These 107 grains fill a cube-shaped box that is about 4 inches (10 centimeters) wide, tall and deep.

    So far, the experimental method is working well, and we’ve been able to see how the force is distributed between the 107 grains. Next, we plan to expand the experimental setup to include more grains and explore how the force changes when we agitate the granular system – for example, by bumping it.

    This new experimental approach opens the door for many more experiments that will help us to better understand granular systems. These systems are all around you, and while they seem so simple, researchers still don’t truly understand how they behave.

    Jacqueline Reber receives funding from the Iowa State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Frontier Science Fund.

    – ref. Granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides, are all around you − new research will help scientists describe how they work – https://theconversation.com/granular-systems-such-as-sandpiles-or-rockslides-are-all-around-you-new-research-will-help-scientists-describe-how-they-work-251689

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: We’re throwing the Moomins a birthday party – and you’re invited

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anna Walker, Senior Arts + Culture Editor

    Tove Jansson published her first Moomin book, The Moomins and the Great Flood, 80 years ago, in 1945. The story follows a family of hippo-like creatures called “Moomintrolls”, who become refugees after a flood washes away their home. Written at the end of the second world war, when millions were displaced, it reflects the struggles of rebuilding lives after disaster.

    The official theme of the anniversary is “the door is always open”, reflecting the themes of acceptance, kindness and chosen families that run through Jansson’s books.

    We’re celebrating 80 wonderful years of her magical creatures with a special screening of the 2014 film Moomins on the Riviera and a panel discussion. Come along to the National Science & Media Museum in Bradford on Friday May 23 to watch the film with us and take part in the Q&A with four expert Moominologists about the theme of the refugee experience in Jansson’s work.

    As a City of Sanctuary and home to one of four public art commissions honouring Moomin 80, Bradford is the perfect place to mark this milestone. Tickets include a free ebook of expert articles about Jansson and her Moominous creations.

    We’d love to see you there, so come along and join in the discussion. Readers of The Conversation get an exclusive 25% off the ticket price – you can book them here using the code Moomins25.

    – ref. We’re throwing the Moomins a birthday party – and you’re invited – https://theconversation.com/were-throwing-the-moomins-a-birthday-party-and-youre-invited-248586

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.265 Per Share

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.265 per share payable May 22, 2025, to shareholders of record on May 8, 2025.

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be named in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies and Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024 and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Vanuatu communities growing climate resilience in wake of Cyclone Lola

    Communities in Vanuatu are learning to grow climate resilient crops, 18 months after Cyclone Lola devastated the country.

    The category 5 storm struck in October 2023, generating wind speeds of up to 215 kmph, which destroyed homes, schools, plantations, and left at least four people dead.

    It was all the worse for following twin cyclones Judy and Kevin earlier that year.

    Save the Children Vanuatu country director Polly Banks said they have been working alongside Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture and local partners, supporting families through the Tropical Cyclone Lola Recovery Programme.

    “It really affected backyard gardening and the communities across the areas affected – their ability to pursue an income and also their own nutritional needs,” she said.

    She said the programme looked at the impact of the cyclone on backyard gardening and on people’s economic reliance on what they grow in their gardens, and developed a recovery plan to respond.

    “We trained community members and also provided them with the equipment to establish cyclone resilient nurseries.

    Ready for harsh weather
    “So for example, nurseries that can be put up and then pulled down when a harsh weather event – including cyclones but even heavy rainfall — is arriving.

    “There was a focus on these climate resilient nurseries, but also through that partnership with the Department of Agriculture, there was also a much stronger focus than we’ve had before on teaching community members climate smart agricultural techniques.”

    Banks said these techniques included open pollinating seed and learning skills such as grassing; and another part of the project was introducing more variety into people’s diets.

    She said out of the project has also come the first seed bank on Epi Island.

    “That seed bank now has a ready supply of seeds, and the community are adding to that regularly, and they’re taking those seeds from really climate-resilient crops, so that they have a cyclone secure storage facility,” she said.

    “The next time a cyclone happens — and we know that they’re going to become more ferocious and more frequent — the community are ready to replant the moment that the cyclone passes.

    Setting up seed bank
    “But in setting the seed bank up as well, the community have been taught how to select the most productive seeds, the seeds that show the most promise; how to dry them out; how to preserve them.”

    Banks said they were also working with the Department of Agriculture in the delivery of a community-based climate resilience project, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund.

    Rolled out across 282 communities across the country, a key focus of it is the creation of more climate-resilient backyard gardening, food preservation and climate resilient nurseries.

    “We’re also setting up early warning systems through the provision of internet to really remote communities so that they have better access to more knowledge about when a big storm or a cyclone is approaching and what steps to take.

    “But that particular project is still just a drop in the ocean in terms of the adaptation needs that communities have.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –