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Data supports smallholder farmers and regenerative agriculture
CategoriesSustainable News

Data supports smallholder farmers and regenerative agriculture

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Smallholder farms, those covering two acres or less, produce around a third of the world’s food. Yet, there are almost no data services aimed at small farmers. As a consequence, many smallholders are cut off from access to wider farming services, support, and policy. To support smallholders, especially those using regenerative practices, the Smallholder Farmers Alliance, Data Economics Company, and Terra Genesis International have formed Smallholder Data Services to help smallholders better utilise their data.

Smallholder Data Services (SDS) uses a platform built on DECO’s Lydion Software Engine. This is used to develop blockchain-based middleware that allows data to be converted into digital assets which can then be shared in secure, private data vaults and data economic networks. SDS operates on a decentralised Data Economic Network (DENET), wherein each smallholder farmer is in control of their own data vault. Corporate partners can then join a regional or crop-specific DENET to examine traceability, regenerative standards, broader sustainability, and community impact.

SDS focuses on those smallholders who are engaged in regenerative farming—a system of farming methods that seek to enhance the entire ecosystem—or those who are looking to move towards regenerative practices. The platform is designed to manage farm-level data that relates to regenerative farming by enabling companies, consumers, and smallholders to verify sustainability standards. By packaging farm data as Lydion assets, the SDS platform both economically empowers these smallholder farmers while providing verification tools for crop buyers.

According to SDS co-founder Tim Tensen, “This is an exciting moment for Regenerative Agriculture as more companies and brands from around the world are taking steps to act from a whole systems perspective and make bold investments in the future of agroecosystems. Web3 technologies like the platform in development by Smallholder Data Services, represent a unique opportunity to support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and do so in a way that intrinsically develops trust and integrity throughout supply systems, from farmer to consumer.”

This project is one of the latest to leverage blockchain to monetise data. Springwise has spotted other innovations including a platform that builds transparency in coffee supply chains and brings transparency to the diamond industry.

Written By Lisa Magloff

Reference

Carbon investments backed by AI and satellite data
CategoriesSustainable News

Carbon investments backed by AI and satellite data

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: There are a huge number of organisations working to reduce global emissions – with schemes for everything from capturing carbon from the air to sequestration and carbon capture for shipping. Now fintech Earthbanc has a new idea — land regeneration. The company argues that by transitioning to regenerative agriculture on 2.5 billion hectares of land, it would be possible to sequester all global emissions produced; and they have a plan to incentivise regenerative land management practices.

However, one issue with regenerative land programmes is transparency – it is very difficult to verify that a scheme is actually sequestering a specified amount of carbon. Without having this information, it is impossible to effectively use carbon credits to contribute to land regeneration schemes. Earthbanc’s platform solves this problem by using artificial intelligence (AI), trained on satellite remote sensing data collected in collaboration with the European Space Agency, to automatically audit the carbon reduction impact of land regeneration projects and to verify carbon credits.

Farmers register on the Earthbanc platform, and the platform automatically measures the carbon sequestration on their land. Companies can then invest in the project using carbon credits to offset their carbon use. Earthbanc uses blockchain technology to keep a transparent record of carbon reduction so that companies buying carbon credits can verify their value. Using credits, the platform effectively allows companies to deposit their carbon “into a bank-like vault.”

Earthbanc CEO Tom Duncan explains that “What makes Earthbanc’s solution so potent in combating the climate crisis is its basis on expert knowledge of land restoration and paying farmers in areas of the world where the impact is the greatest – both for nature and for people.” He adds that they have many corporate buyers, “who are buying carbon on our platform every month. We’re selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of carbon, so a farmer can get paid for their ecosystem services.”

Avoiding meat and driving electric vehicles will only take the world so far in reducing carbon consumption. It is also necessary to sequester carbon released into the atmosphere. Luckily, there is no shortage of projects finding innovative ways to do this, including a project that turns sequestered CO2 to stone and an artificial leaf that captures carbon dioxide.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

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Drones track pollution to provide real-time air quality data
CategoriesSustainable News

Drones track pollution to provide real-time air quality data

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: Calling itself a Guardian of the Air, Peruvian startup qAIRa combines static and mobile monitoring for the most up-to-date air quality information. Constant data streams help urban planners and transport managers track the environmental effects of their work, while alerting area communities to the best times of day to be outside.

With devices for monitoring indoor and outdoor air, as well as a system of drones for tracking larger areas and changing conditions, qAIRa brings diverse data together into a single platform that makes it easy to see, at a glance, any areas of concern. The platform is open source, and the company encourages feedback and suggestions for new applications of the collected data.

The system measures particulate matter, humidity, temperature, UV radiation, noise, and more, and the outdoor devices are either solar or electric powered. Already working in several locations in Peru, the company is exploring funding options to help expand availability of the platform nationally and internationally. An educational module for schoolchildren is currently being developed.

Springwise has recently spotted several other innovations focused on air quality including an air quality app that empowers users through education, air quality data for building management, and smarter, cheaper industrial air monitoring.

Written by: Keely Khoury

29th July 2022

Email: hola@qairadrones.com

Website: qairadrones.com

Reference

Protecting Europe’s forests with AI and data management
CategoriesSustainable News

Protecting Europe’s forests with AI and data management

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: If forests are managed sustainably, they can be an invaluable asset in the fight against climate change. Earlier this year the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a report outlining how wood-based innovations and sustainable forest use can help to tackle the climate crisis and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Timbeter, an Estonian startup, is on a mission to make forestry sustainable ‘one log at a time’. By doing so, it is helping to ensure that forests deliver the potential outlined in the report.  

The startup specialises in timber measurement and data management, using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to provide greater accuracy in its services. The technology makes it possible to quickly measure log diameters, log count, and log pile density through a smartphone, providing a valuable resource for companies who need to have greater oversight of their forestry data. It could also be used by forestry professionals to track the health of trees and prevent illegal logging.

In a recent study conducted by Poznan University, Timbeter was found to be 95 per cent accurate in its timber measurements. This high level of accuracy is made possible by machine learning technologies that allow Timbeter to constantly refine and improve its algorithms. 

Earlier this month, the startup announced that it has raised €500,000 in funding. The round was led by Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a non-profit organisation run by Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund. The company plans to use the funding to continue developing its technology and expanding its team. In addition, Timbeter hopes to raise awareness of the importance of forests and the need to protect them.

Other sustainable forestry innovations, spotted by Springwise, include a network of intelligent sensors helping emergency response teams respond to climate change impacts, and digital ‘smart forest’ technology that helps with forest management and research. 

Written By: Katrina Lane

27th June 2022

Website: timbeter.com

Contact: timbeter.com/contact

Reference

Technology enables messaging and app access without data or wifi
CategoriesSustainable News

Technology enables messaging and app access without data or wifi

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: The internet has become so ingrained in our daily lives that most of us can’t envision life without it. However, there are still many parts of the world where internet access is unavailable or unreliable. Mexican startup Bridgefy is on a mission to connect users even without internet access. 

Bridgefy leverages other nearby smartphones’ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas to create a mesh network that connects devices within a 330-foot range. The company has developed a free offline messaging app but this is not the only use of its technology, which also allows apps to function without an Internet connection.

Only those apps within the Bridgefy network can provide services to users without internet access. But the startup has developed a software development kit (SDK) that helps app developers easily incorporate the mesh network technology into their iOS or Android code.

Bridgefy created the SDK to get their product out to a wider audience faster and with less hassle. Thanks to Bridgefy, developers can now provide their users with offline capabilities in a variety of situations, whether it be for messaging, payments, or even social networking.

Bridgefy charges companies depending on how many users they attract while using the app offline. The company expects to be able to support ride-hailing apps, cruise ship apps, educational apps, social media, and gaming.  

One of the most successful uses of the technology is a collaboration between Bridgefy and SkyAlert that helps citizens connected in times of natural disaster. SkyAlert, which is also based in Mexico, issues earthquake warnings shortly before they happen. 

Other innovations, spotted by Springwise, that look to extend connectivity include smaller satellites for faster internet, a satellite communication network for remote communities, and a startup that brings Wi-Fi to remote farm communities.

Written By: Katrina Lane

10th June 2022

Website: bridgefy.me

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