Winner of SU challenge – Using drones to plant trees
Bio carbon Engineering will plant 1 Billion trees/year with drones to rebuild global ecosystems, fight climate change, and provide social uplift to millions of families.
6 Bn trees/yr are lost. Global governments committed to restore 350M hectares (~300 Bn trees) by 2030, but need new technology. Our solution uses precision agricultural techniques to fly the planting UAVs 2-3 meters above the ground and fire a biodegradable seedpod at predetermined positions. The seedpod penetrates the ground, is activated by moisture, and contains all the nutrients necessary for healthy tree growth. Just 150, 2-person teams, will have the capacity to plant 1 Bn trees/yr.
Their solution balances these two methods. First, by using precision agriculture techniques, we increase uptake rates. Second, our scalable, automated technology significantly reduces the manpower requirements and costs. Finally, our mapping UAVs will also provide invaluable intelligence on planting patterns, landscape design and appropriate timing.
First analyze the topology and soil. Then load the map and data into the drones.
Currently, over 6.5 billion trees are lost each year due to human activities and natural disasters. At the UN Climate Summit, a commitment was made to restore 350m hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030 (estimated to require up to 300bn trees to be planted), it is clear that traditional planting techniques will need help in order to achieve these targets. The 2016 COP21 climate conference in Paris reaffirmed the need to take urgent action to reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
“Our technology is making it easier for ecosystem restoration groups, mining companies and forestry groups, both private and public, to plant the trees, where they need them, at a fraction of the time and cost”, says Fletcher.
In addition to planting, the company’s systems gather highly detailed terrain data. This is being used by customers to help manage their land, while post-planting audit capabilities will also be offered. BioCarbon Engineering was founded in 2014, and is based in Oxford, UK.
Other candidates
Beetech will use medicinal mushrooms, pollinators, and native seeds to bioremediate toxic and radioactive sites on the Navajo reservation.
BeeTech synthesizes four game-changing innovations to rid the world of radioactive waste:
the bioremediation and community organizing techniques developed by The Navajo Bee Project, the environmental mitigation experiences of Coal County Beeworks, Paul Stamet’s ground breaking research identifying mycelium as an effective toxin mitigation tool, and Safecast’s technological ability to track and monitor radiation in real time.
Our Mission: We can clean up the planet’s radioactive waste using natural methods that are aligned with the Navajo Way of Beauty at less that .01% the cost.
ACES are addressing the future of food through systemic solutions. We are a group of pioneers that have come together to overcome the global challenges. Technology Meets Permaculture – Zero Waste Agriculture
Imagine zero waste agriculture… the future of food! We start with animal manures, mix them into a “”poop soup”” and cook them, getting biogas energy, and fertilizer. The fertilizer we use to grow a tiny aquatic grass called duckweed, in chambers, with no environmental losses at all. The plants clean the water for reuse, and eat huge quantities of CO2. The plant we ferment to separate the protein from the sugars.
Poop to energy, water, food and biochemical feedstocks, with no waste whatsoever!
Our Mission: Democratization or food, energy and water. Distributed solutions communities of all sizes can take advantage of, and food production in any location.
TransPower is an early mover in the electric heavy truck market with the only revenue fleet. Electric trucks have proven environmental/cost benefits.
Our Mission: Cleaner, quieter electric trucking benefits the most disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt of pollution and noise generated by diesel trucking.
SOURCES – Singularity University, Youtube
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.