Blockchain and Decentralized Technologies for Climate Action with Cornell University

11 Sustainable cities and communities, 13 Climate action, 17 Partnerships for the goalsLeave a comment

The pressing issues of climate change and the imperative need for sustainable economic models have propelled discussions on innovative solutions. Traditional methods have often fallen short in providing the necessary tools for tackling these complex challenges. Hence, there is a growing interest in exploring emerging technologies like blockchain and decentralized systems to address these intertwined issues effectively. In October, 2023, Cornell University led a groundbreaking workshop in collaboration with Polygon Labs and Impact Plus. The event, hosted as part of Cornell Tech’s Urban Tech Summit 2023, delved into the critical intersection of Web3, regenerative economies, and climate action. Helena Rong, a PhD Candidate at Columbia University and Founder at CIVIS DESIGN AND ADVISORY, moderated a high-level panel featuring Nakul R. Padalkar, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University; Ryan L. Thomas, Visiting Assistant Professor at Wentworth Institute of Technology and Chief Sustainability Officer at Simbiotica Finance; and Charlie Moore, Climate Finance Entrepreneur. Key takeaways from the workshop highlighted the potential of blockchain and decentralized technologies in advancing sustainable economies and climate action. The discussion underscored the transformative impact of digitization approaches, such as tokenization and smart contracts, on carbon markets. Challenges identified included the need for standardized data, improved user interfaces, and equitable resource distribution. The U.N environment programme in one of its publications stated the need to not overlook the blockchain in the battle against climate crises. In that regard, during the event, blockchain’s role in enhancing sustainability initiatives was emphasized, particularly in fostering transparency, accountability, and trust—essential elements for stakeholder engagement. The conversation also explored the integration of these technologies across sectors like energy, water management, and carbon trading, showcasing their broad potential impact. The organizers express sincere gratitude to the speakers and attendees for their insightful contributions, looking forward to continued collaboration in raising awareness about the transformative potential of blockchain and decentralized technologies in fostering regenerative economies and addressing climate challenges.  

Exchanges with Amazonian communities

04 Quality education, 10 Reduced inequalities, 13 Climate actionLeave a comment

Cultural minorities, especially those in remote areas, often have limited access to information and need more resources to explore  technologies like blockchain. At our event, we aimed to bring the benefits of blockchain technology to a community deep in the Amazon rainforest. We were honored to have indigenous speakers from the community share their experiences and expertise, as well as solidity developers who have worked with small communities. A key topic of discussion was the importance of understanding carbon credits and how they can impact communities in the Amazon. More specifically, some community leaders reported that some of its members signed documents related to carbon credits without fully understanding their content. To address this issue and empower leaders in potential negotiations in this sector, Polygon and Impact Plus, in partnership with the NGO “Nossa Terra Firme,” introduced blockchain from a responsible and conscious perspective to prevent scams and fraud. This is the first of an empowerment program for communities in the Amazon region. The activity was carried out behind closed doors with the support of translators and cultural mediators to ensure respect for local sensitivity. Exchanges with Amazonian communities (Part 1 and 2) When: 03 and 10 December, 2022 Where: Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

Web3 for Wildlife

09 Industry, innovation and infrastructure, 13 Climate action, 15 Life on landLeave a comment

Kenya’s wildlife faces habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal trade threats. These issues not only threaten the survival of many species but also have negative impacts on local communities and economies. The Web3 for Wildlife Conservation encounter brought conservationists, techies, and wildlife enthusiasts to learn about leveraging web3 technology for conservation efforts. Speakers discussed the fundamentals of blockchain, showcased innovative use cases and projects, and delved into the challenges and opportunities of crypto adoption in Africa. The attendees also had the chance to share their projects and network with potential partners, including BaoTree, OkoaNature, and WWF Kenya.  Web3.0 for Wildlife When: 19th November, 2022 Where: Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya

Developers for climate change

09 Industry, innovation and infrastructure, 13 Climate action, 15 Life on land1 Comment

Climate change is the most pressing issue we face. That’s why Impact Plus hosted an interdisciplinary meet-up and a Bootcamp at the University of Cape Town at which it introduced students to blockchain solutions to climate change. Those interested in achieving a deeper understanding were able to connect with members of the ReFi community, both in South Africa and from Impact Plus’ international community, most notably in Brazil. Activity: Developers for climate change When: 29 Set 2022 Where: University of Cape Town, South Africa