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Civic Works Partners with Howard County Government on Home Energy Upgrade Initiative

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Baltimore nonprofit Civic Works has partnered with Howard County Government to establish a home energy upgrade initiative.

BALTIMORE, June 14, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Baltimore nonprofit Civic Works has partnered with Howard County Government to establish a home energy upgrade initiative to help Howard County residents go solar, increase their energy efficiency, and convert to efficient and healthy induction stoves.

“As stewards of our community and advocates for a sustainable future, we are thrilled with this partnership aimed at empowering Howard County residents with climate solutions.” – Dana Stein, Founder and Executive Director of Civic Works.

As part of its Climate Forward: Climate Action & Resiliency Plan (Climate Forward), which was launched by County Executive Calvin Ball last summer, Howard County’s Office of Community Sustainability (OCS) has developed a partnership with Civic Works to pursue County-wide goals in energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy. Civic Works is a proud recipient of a $70,000 Howard County Innovation Grant, which will be used to replace gas stoves with high-efficiency electric induction stoves in qualifying low- and moderate-income households in Howard County.

The induction stove swap program supports the County’s goals to increase energy efficiency in existing residential buildings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through electrification. Induction stoves offer faster, cleaner cooking fueled by electricity, which is increasingly sourced from renewable energy. They eliminate indoor air pollution associated with gas stoves while providing efficient and easy cleaning.

“As stewards of our community and advocates for a sustainable future, we are thrilled with this partnership aimed at empowering Howard County residents with climate solutions,” said Founder and Executive Director of Civic Works Dana Stein. “Together, we will reach our shared goal to bring energy savings to Howard County residents while reducing environmental impacts and improving home energy efficiency.”

The partnership will also allow Civic Works to conduct whole-home energy audits and provide education in electrification and renewable energy (community and rooftop solar), with an emphasis on reaching low- and moderate-income households in Howard County.

Additional offerings include in-depth weatherization enhancements, rooftop solar installations, opportunities for community solar subscriptions, guidance on transitioning from fossil-fuel-based appliances and HVAC systems to electric alternatives, information on accessing relevant rebates, technical support, and practical tips for conserving energy through various straightforward measures.

“Just as we have worked to increase energy efficiency and energy independence in Howard County government operations, we want residents to reap the same rewards in energy efficiency, cost savings, increased comfort, and the benefits of increased energy independence through renewable energy sources like rooftop and community solar,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Our partnership with Civic Works helps residents improve their home environment while supporting our Climate Forward goals to ensure a resilient and sustainable community for the future.”

For more information, visit: https://energyprograms.civicworks.com/howardcounty/

About Civic Works:
Civic Works is Baltimore’s service corps and an AmeriCorps program. Its mission is to strengthen Baltimore’s communities and promote equity for people of all ages through education, skills development, and community service. Civic Works AmeriCorps members tutor
and mentor students, create community parks and gardens, help homeowners conserve energy, grow food for low-income residents, make homes safer for older adults, and recruit volunteers. Civic Works also trains Baltimore residents for employment in the healthcare, construction, and green job industries. For more information, please visit http://www.civicworks.com.

About the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability:
The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability aims to protect and enhance the quality of life in our communities by addressing environmental and economic issues affecting County citizens and future generations. Guided by principles of science, ingenuity, sustainability and stewardship, the Office engages in water quality, economic development, agriculture, energy and education initiatives. Howard County boasts the state’s oldest Office of Sustainability and works to coordinate efforts throughout other Howard County Departments, governments throughout the state and region, and community institutions.

Media Contact

Ellina Buettner, Abel Communications for Civic Works, 4104195945, ellina@abelcommunications.com, https://civicworks.com/our-programs/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/civic-works-partners-with-howard-county-government-on-home-energy-upgrade-initiative-302173205.html

SOURCE Abel Communications for Civic Works

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CGTN: Starting a new era in Asia-Pacific development amid global uncertainty

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BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2024 /CNW/ — Over the decades, the Asia-Pacific region has been a vital driver of global economic growth. In October, the International Monetary Fund predicted the region would contribute approximately 60 percent to global economic growth in 2024.

At the same time, Asia-Pacific cooperation is confronted with challenges such as rising tendencies of geopolitics, unilateralism and protectionism. In this regard, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday called on leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) members to shoulder greater responsibilities.

“We must act in solidarity and cooperation to meet the challenges, fully deliver on the Putrajaya Vision 2040, build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, and start a new era in Asia-Pacific development,” said Xi, when attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Peru’s capital Lima.

China’s proposal

To deepen Asia-Pacific cooperation, the Chinese president on Saturday made three proposals.

Firstly, Xi stressed the need to build an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation, calling for staying committed to multilateralism and an open economy.

China has made great efforts towards an open Asia-Pacific economy. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China is the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies and has actively advanced the building of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, promoted high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.

Secondly, Xi emphasized the need to make green innovation a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific, saying APEC economies should push forward coordinated digital and green transformation and development to create new momentum and new drivers for Asia-Pacific development.

China is developing new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions and deepening cooperation with interested parties on green innovation. Xi announced on Saturday that China will launch a Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative.

China has put forward initiatives for cooperation between APEC member economies in green agriculture, sustainable city development, green and low-carbon energy transition, and marine pollution control and prevention.

The Chinese president also urged efforts to uphold a universally beneficial and inclusive vision for Asia-Pacific development. The data unveiled by the Chinese Foreign Ministry showed China contributes 64.2 percent of the region’s economic growth, 37.6 percent of the growth in goods trade, and 44.6 percent of the growth in services trade.

Xi told APEC leaders that China will advance initiatives through the APEC platform on increasing residents’ income and promoting the industrial cluster development of small- and medium-sized enterprises, for the purpose of bringing about universally beneficial and inclusive development of Asia-Pacific economies.

China’s commitments

China will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026, Xi announced on Saturday, saying China welcomes all parties to continue riding the “express train” of its development and grow together with the Chinese economy.

The Chinese president reiterated China’s commitments to reform and opening up. “Reform and opening up is a historic process in which China and the world achieve development and progress together,” he said.

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, at its third plenum in July, laid out systematic plans for further deepening reform across the board with more than 300 consequential reform measures being unveiled, pertaining to building a high-standard socialist market economy, advancing high-quality economic development, promoting high-standard opening up, improving the people’s quality of life, and building a beautiful country.

In his written speech at the APEC CEO Summit on Friday, Xi also said China will introduce more policies for voluntary and unilateral opening up, expand its globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, and open its door even wider to the world.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-11-17/Starting-a-new-era-in-Asia-Pacific-development-amid-global-uncertainty-1yAvmNr7lYc/p.html 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-starting-a-new-era-in-asia-pacific-development-amid-global-uncertainty-302307697.html

SOURCE CGTN

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CGTN: How does Chancay Port light up Asia-Pacific cooperation?

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BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2024 /CNW/ — From the arrival of the first ship at Chancay Port to its official inauguration, the port has gained global attention in recent days, boosting confidence in the prospects of more open and inclusive Asia-Pacific economic development.

The port, a cooperative project between Peru and China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), will reduce sea shipping time from Peru to China to 23 days, cutting logistics costs by at least 20 percent. It is expected to generate $4.5 billion in annual revenue for Peru and create over 8,000 direct jobs. The port, capable of accommodating ultra-large container ships with a capacity of 18,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), has a designed annual throughput capacity of 1 million TEUs in the near term and 1.5 million TEUs in the long term, positioning it as a key hub for trade between Latin America and Asia.

Noting that the port connects Chancay and Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping remarked that “what we are witnessing is not only the root and blossom of the BRI in Peru but also the birth of a new gateway that connects land and sea, Asia and Latin America” during his address via video link at the port’s inauguration ceremony.

Peruvian officials: ‘More job opportunities and economic growth’ brought to Peru

Senior Peruvian officials and ordinary citizens have said they are looking forward to benefiting from the first smart and green port in South America.

Prime Minister of Peru Gustavo Adrianzen said that cooperation between China and Peru, including the Chancay Port project and other fields, will bring more job opportunities and economic growth to Peru, improving people’s living standards.

Jose Tam, president of the Chinese-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce, talked about the significance of Peru’s Chancay megaport with CGTN, saying the port will be an “engine” for the local economy.

Juan Carlos Capunay, former executive director of the APEC Secretariat and former Peruvian ambassador to China, also stated that the port will play an important role in deepening bilateral relations and fostering practical cooperation between China and Peru.

Entrepreneur Cielo Augusto from Chancay said he is looking forward to building the first levels of business while noting that industries such as hospitality will also be boosted, as there will be a significant influx of people from abroad.

“The port will save time, increase efficiency and bring new opportunities to Peru,” Karla Santuyomarca, a Peruvian citizen, told CGTN.

Some 78.3 percent of respondents to a CGTN survey of Peruvians said they support their country’s participation in the BRI, which includes Chancay Port. Additionally, 93.6 percent of respondents expressed support for deepening practical cooperation in various fields between China, Peru and other Latin American countries.

Open, interconnected Asia-Pacific cooperation

With its official opening on Thursday, Chancay Port is expected to integrate the entire Latin American region into the dynamic economic framework of the Asia-Pacific, greatly enhancing connectivity within and beyond the continent.

Peruvian Foreign Minister Elmer Schialer Salcedo said, “The Pacific Ocean does not separate us, but it connects us,” adding that Chancay Port will halve the time and costs of connecting South America with Asia.

Carlos Aquino Aquino Rodriguez, professor of Asian economies at San Marcos National University, said the port is crucial to the economic development and connectivity of the Asia-Pacific and can also promote mutual benefits for raw material buyers, suppliers of manufactured goods and investors.

In a CGTN global poll on Asia-Pacific cooperation, 93.7 percent of respondents called on all parties in the region to forge consensus and build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future featuring openness and inclusiveness, innovative growth, connectivity and win-win cooperation.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-11-17/How-does-Chancay-Port-light-up-Asia-Pacific-cooperation–1yAAAYcaP28/p.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-how-does-chancay-port-light-up-asia-pacific-cooperation-302307698.html

SOURCE CGTN

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Effeect’s CEO David Ispiryan Shares Insights on Maximizing PPC Campaigns Through AI and Machine Learning in Forbes Council Post

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David Ispiryan’s Forbes Article Offers Actionable Advice for Leveraging AI in PPC Advertising

SHERIDAN, Wyo., Nov. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — David Ispiryan, CEO of Effeect and member of the Forbes Agency Council, recently published a featured article on Forbes titled “AI And Machine Learning In PPC: How To Automate For Maximum Results.” In this insightful piece, Ispiryan shares strategies for automating PPC advertising campaigns through AI and machine learning. This article aims to equip businesses with the knowledge needed to optimize PPC performance, reduce costs, and drive higher returns.

The digital advertising space is rapidly evolving, and AI-powered tools are changing how businesses approach PPC campaigns. From automated bid management to audience segmentation and predictive analytics, Ispiryan’s article on Forbes covers the core ways that AI and machine learning are transforming PPC.

Key Highlights from David Ispiryan’s Article

AI-Powered Bid Management: Bid management can be a complex and time-intensive task in PPC campaigns. Ispiryan highlights that AI algorithms streamline this process by automatically adjusting bids based on several factors. He explains that advertisers can automate their bids for optimized conversions. “AI-driven bid management allows businesses to spend less time adjusting bids” said Ispiryan. “Tools like Smart Bidding make it easier to achieve optimal ROI by targeting the most valuable customers.”Automated Ad Creation with Dynamic Search Ads (DSAs): Ispiryan underscores the importance of Dynamic Search Ads (DSAs), which automatically create ads based on a website’s content. By targeting long-tail keywords, DSAs help businesses capture high-intent users further along in the buying process. This automation fills potential keyword gaps, reaching audiences who are ready to convert.Enhanced Audience Targeting through AI: In his article, Ispiryan explains how AI tools analyze user behavior, demographics, and search history to create customized audiences. By using tools like Google’s Custom Audiences and Facebook’s Lookalike Audiences advertisers can ensure their ads resonate with their leads.Predictive Analytics for Smarter Budget Allocation: Predictive analytics allows advertisers to anticipate user behavior and make informed budget decisions. AI-powered tools in Google Ads and Microsoft Ads use historical data to predict conversion likelihood, making it easier for businesses to allocate budgets effectively. “Predictive analytics enables businesses to target users who are most likely to convert, maximizing the effectiveness of their ad spend,” said Ispiryan. “With predictive bid adjustments, companies can stay agile, responding to market changes in real time.”Automated A/B Testing with Responsive Search Ads (RSAs): A/B testing is crucial for PPC success, and Ispiryan discusses how Google’s Responsive Search Ads (RSAs) simplify this process. By inputting multiple headlines and descriptions, Google’s AI tests and determines the most effective combinations, continuously optimizing ad performance without manual effort.

Maximizing PPC Campaigns with AI and Machine Learning

According to Ispiryan, AI and machine learning are revolutionizing PPC by automating processes that once required hours of manual work. Through actionable advice in his Forbes article, Ispiryan urges businesses to set clear goals and regularly review campaign performance to ensure their automation strategies align with their broader marketing objectives.

“Automation is a powerful tool, but it works best when complemented by human insight,” Ispiryan concluded.

Read the Full Article

To explore more on these groundbreaking PPC automation strategies, read David Ispiryan’s full article on Forbes

Pull Quote

Automation is a powerful tool, but it works best when complemented by human insight.

Media Contact

Bill Adams, Digital Marketing Agency, 1 3072882822, info@digitalmarketingarticle.com, https://digitalmarketingarticle.com/ 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/effeects-ceo-david-ispiryan-shares-insights-on-maximizing-ppc-campaigns-through-ai-and-machine-learning-in-forbes-council-post-302307612.html

SOURCE Digital Marketing Agency; Digital Marketing Agency

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