BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Under the global framework for biodiversity, more wildlife species are increasing in number and enjoying a better space for living and breeding in China with the help of advanced technology and more popular caring, according to the Chinese delegation from diverse institutes and organizations at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity that is being held in Cali, Colombia.

A prolonged whistle resonated through the sky, prompting visitors to lift their cameras in anticipation of capturing the migratory birds that were arriving. In recent years, tens of thousands of migratory birds such as cormorants fly each autumn to Shenzhen, a subtropical metropolis in South China, making the city one of the most important stops for these birds in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Their numbers are still increasing as the local environment improves. Environmental conservation organizations, including the Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF), see the growing population of migratory birds as a signal that urban biodiversity in China is heading in the right direction. 

Only around a few meters away from visitors, a black-faced spoonbill heads down in search of food over the wetlands at the Futian Mangrove National Nature Reserve alongside dozens of its brethren. Meanwhile, in the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park, an Eurasian otter, a species that disappeared from the Shenzhen Bay for nearly 20 years, has re-emerged.  

Chen Yudong, a staff member with the Mangrove Conservation Foundation who focuses on the protection and biodiversity of wetlands, told the Global Times that the Futian Mangrove Ecological Park is currently home to five species listed as National Key Protected Wildlife, including the Eastern imperial eagle, the black-faced spoonbill, and the small Indian civet. 

Additionally, the park has 39 nationally protected wildlife species at the second level (including birds, mammals, and reptiles). From 2015 to 2023, the number of insect species had risen from 109 to 1,224, while bird species had increased from 83 to 220.  

To maintain and improve biodiversity in metropolises like Shenzhen, Chinese environmentalists are exploring the effective application of emerging technologies and analytical methods in biodiversity monitoring, such as bioacoustics, weather radar data, and artificial intelligence, according to Insights for Cities on Biodiversity, an initiative focusing on how to sustain urban biodiversity, published in Shenzhen in September. 

For instance, during the migratory season, weather radar is being promoted to analyze and predict the flight paths of bird flocks, informing the implementation of lighting management strategies. This technology can help reduce accidents involving birds colliding with tall buildings or windows, particularly at night.

The delegation of the conservation foundation brought the initiative to COP16 and shared China’s experience with people who are concerned about how global biodiversity is being impacted by the continuously expanding urban areas around the world. 

Chen said that these projects and technologies are all aimed at speeding up achieving the global target set for 2030 and beyond to safeguard and sustainably use biodiversity, which was clarified in the framework, also known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at the COP15 during the Chinese presidency.

Shenzhen is not the only city that protects wetlands and preserves an international channel for migratory birds. Black-faced spoonbills have also been observed in the wetlands in East China’s Zhejiang and Fujian provinces and South China’s Guangxi.

Li Cheng, founder of the Xizijiang Ecological Conservation Center, has also been encouraged and guided by the biodiversity framework. 

“Since the COP15 was held in Kunming, I have felt the growing emphasis on ecological and biological protection from the public and authorities. More people are aware of the importance of sustaining the populations of each species on the Earth through public outreach programs,” Li told the Global Times, noting growing social consensus on biodiversity conservation seen in his daily work.

The infrared cameras set up by Li’s patrol team around the Wuqinzhang Mountain in Guangdong have recently captured additional pangolin movements, further bolstering Li’s confidence that the population of these endangered creatures is increasing.

Li still remembers the excitement he felt when one infrared camera first captured a pangolin at the end of 2018 and the night when he and colleagues repeatedly checked the pangolin’s photo multiple times. 

Chinese pangolins were assessed as “critically endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species in 2019 and was even thought to be functionally extinct at the time of its assessment.

Now more and more people, including local villagers who have joined the patrol team, have begun to devote their lives to protecting pangolins. To improve the efficiency of their conservation efforts, Li noted that in addition to infrared cameras, a mobile application especially developed for patrol personnel has been put into use. The app is constantly updated with real-time information on the pangolins, thereby informing those on patrol of urgent situations.

“We have begun to shift our priorities and are more focused on restoring the pangolins’ habitat and making more creative use of conservation technologies,” Li noted.

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SOURCE Global Times

JINING, China, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — State Grid Jining Power Supply Co. and Jining City Energy Bureau have recently established a green power green certificate service centre, with 14 county-level green power green certificate service stations already operational. This is the first instance in the province of a municipal power supply company achieving comprehensive green power green certificate service coverage.

State Grid Jining Power Supply Company attaches great importance to the green power ‘green certificate’ market-oriented trading services. By inviting experts from Shandong Power Trading Centre to give lectures and guidance, preparing green power green certificate publicity materials, news releases, short videos, business window publicity, customer visits and other channels, it promotes green power consumption by market players.

The establishment of the Jining Green Power Green Certificate Service Centre represents a significant step forward in the promotion of Green Power and the energy consumption revolution in Jining. The Jining Green Power Green Certificate Service Centre is dedicated to offering comprehensive green power green certificate services to a broad customer base. These include policy consultation, bill interpretation, transaction assistance and other services. The aim is to enhance understanding of green power green certificate policy among enterprises, facilitate active participation in green power green certificate transactions and drive the growth of green power consumption and the green certificate transaction market. This will inject new vitality into the local economy’s low-carbon transformation and green development.

The next step for State Grid Jining Power Supply Company is to leverage the establishment of the Green Power Green Certificate Service Centre to capitalise on its own strengths, facilitate collaboration with all relevant parties, and act as a conduit for communication between the government, enterprises, and power trading institutions. This will help to drive the development of a robust green power market system in Jining City.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/shandong-jining-achieve-full-coverage-of-green-power-and-green-certificate-services-302293622.html

SOURCE State Grid Jining Power Supply Company

TOKYO, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TOYOTA MOBILITY SERVICES CO., LTD. (TMS) announced today that it will introduce the VoiceBiz®UCDisplay® color version, a transparent display with translation capabilities developed by TOPPAN Corporation. This marks the first use of the technology in Japan, aiming to meet the growing demand for rental cars among inbound foreign visitors. This new display is scheduled for release this fall at three rental car locations in Tokyo.

In recent years, the demand for rental cars has grown rapidly with the rise in inbound tourism. However, rental car locations have struggled to manage vehicle rentals and inquiries across multiple languages effectively.

To address these challenges, TMS is introducing a translation-enabled transparent display to facilitate accurate and timely communication, aiming to provide smooth, comfortable, and high-quality services.

About the “VoiceBiz® UCDisplay®” Clear Interface with Translation Features – Enhanced Color Model

The VoiceBiz®UCDisplay® is a transparent display with translation capabilities in up to 13 languages developed by TOPPAN Corporations. It enables seamless multilingual communication by automatically translating spoken or typed input into the recipient’s language and showing it on the screen. Both voice and keyboard input are available, allowing effective communication with individuals who are hard of hearing or have speech difficulties.

The system incorporates the latest translation algorithms and language models, with features to register proper nouns and pre-set phrases to improve translation accuracy.

When not in use for translation, the display serves as digital signage, providing various types of information. The enhanced color model, launching this fall, offers much better text visibility than the previous monochrome version. Additionally, the improved frame design makes the display easier to move and reposition.

The system supports 13 languages, including Japanese (keyboard input), English, Korean, Thai, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Burmese, and Tagalog.

Key Benefits of the New Model

1. Enhanced hospitality

Smooth service ensures customers feel comfortable by receiving assistance in their native language.
Friendly service is achieved by interacting with customers at their eye level, enhancing satisfaction.

2. Quicker response time

Accurate and fast translation reduces the time required to rent or deliver a vehicle.

3. Reduced workload

The system eases the workload often placed on staff with advanced English skills, promoting a more balanced distribution of tasks.

4. Prevention of infectious diseases

Provides effective protection for both customers and staff against infections.
The transparent display provides a non-contact communication tool for improved health safety.

*In July 2024, TMS conducted a demonstration of this display at its Haneda Airport (International Flights) Shops and other locations. The test received positive feedback from customers, confirming the benefits outlined above.

“Information Regarding the Store Where the Equipment Has Been Installed”

1. Haneda Airport (International Flights) Shop 1-15-11 Haneda, Ota-ku, Tokyo 

2. Shinjuku 3-chome Station Shop 4-2-18 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 

3. Azumabashi Shop 3-8-2 Azumabashi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 

Looking ahead, TMS will further strengthen multilingual support by expanding the use of the VoiceBiz®UCDisplay® and other initiatives. Through these efforts and the development of new services, TMS aims to continually enhance customer satisfaction.

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SOURCE TOYOTA MOBILITY SERVICES CO., LTD.