A Key For Tackling the Environmental Crisis
Concern about carbon emissions and the possible actions that companies and governments have in their agenda have increased considerably during the previous months. The triple environmental crises have regained presence in conversations of world leaders.
We surely are aware by now of eco-friendly alternatives to our daily life choices, organic foods, sustainable clothing, and zero waste gadgets. These solutions are indeed helpful, yet not enough for tackling the environmental crises.
We’re probably less aware of how technology can help us protect, restore, and, regenerate nature — the most valuable asset on Earth.
Technology can help save the planet.
And nature now needs tech support, too.
Nature-tech, which combines a handful of technologic solutions, can measure, track, and help ecosystems thrive. Let’s go into detail below.
AI & Forests: An Odd Match
Most of us wouldn’t imagine this could make a good combination because of the bias towards it. So let’s talk about how it started.
Reforestation is not a new topic for environmental programs, but the efficient use of technology in reforestation is. Many companies have decided to reorient their industries towards what we now call “Climate Tech”, which is simply to increase productivity in any research, measurement, and analysis process required in soil reforestation.
Nature tech was born out of Climate tech. According to NatureforClimate.org, Nature tech, in its broadest sense, is high-tech applications that enable, accelerate and scale-up NbS (as for Nature-based Solutions), covering the following areas:
- Technology to deploy NbS, such as LiDAR technology for reforestation
- Technology to monitor, verify and report on NbS such as satellite monitoring and DNA testing
- Technology to improve transparency around NbS
- Technology to connect people and conservation projects involved in NbS
In short, nature tech aims to protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystem services, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.
The Answer is in the Trees
On average, a tree absorbs between 10kg and 30kg of CO2 per year, therefore, 22 trees are required to supply the oxygen demand of only one person a day.
The application of nature tech can help forests in the reduction and compensation of CO2, since trees are an important source for reducing and offsetting the emissions generated by their deforestation. Returning the real value to the trees should be essential in any environmental program that helps combat the environmental crises we face today. Therefore, nature tech and NbS are the key to environmental action in today’s society.
Algorithm of the Forest
Many see nature and technology as polar opposites, and by extension believe that “ecological” and “technological” solutions to global crises exist in conflict.
It’s not just about technology alone: although a great tool, we know it cannot solve everything at once.
It all counts: From small, individual actions like eating organic food to zero waste products, to nature-tech solutions that help accelerate and scale up NbS at a bigger scale. We believe all are key to improve the health of our biosphere.
We believe technology and nature can work together, instead of against one another.
Through our atlas of the biosphere we use a collection of algorithms called LemuRank that unleashes the planet’s natural capital to demonstrate that the conservation and restoration of ecosystems are the best possible investment for the future of Earth.
We cannot waste the potential of technology, and we cannot waste this unique nature.
If you want to know more about how we’re tackling the environmental crisis, feel free to sign up in our early access in le.mu
