ONE AMAZON launches ‘Internet of Forests’ to protect and empower the Amazon
Image by Freepik
ONE AMAZON has announced the launch of the Internet of Forests (IoF), an initiative designed to digitally monitor and protect the Amazon Rainforest while fostering sustainable development for its communities. Unveiled in collaboration with MIT Media Lab, Veea and AECOM, the IoF, marks a unique approach to forest conservation and community empowerment. The official demonstration of this pioneering project will take place at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) in October 2024.
A vision for the Amazon’s future
As the driving force behind the IoF, ONE AMAZON has developed a five-phase technological roadmap in collaboration with MIT Media Lab’s City Science Group. This roadmap integrates a diverse array of sensing technologies, from satellite and drone imagery to ground-based environmental sensors and bio-sensing techniques, to provide an unprecedented level of insight into the health and changes within the Amazon’s ecosystems. With the IoF, ONE AMAZON aims to digitally connect and safeguard every hectare of the rainforest, promoting environmental resilience and creating sustainable economic opportunities for the 50 million people who depend on it.
ONE AMAZON at the centre of a technological and environmental transformation
The Internet of Forests is more than just a digital monitoring initiative; it embodies ONE AMAZON’s commitment to preserving the world’s largest tropical rainforest by harnessing cutting-edge technology. As the primary architect of the IoF, ONE AMAZON ensures that the project remains focused on its core mission—preserving the rainforest while enhancing the livelihoods of its communities. The IoF platform will enable real-time data collection and analysis across thousands of hectares, using a wide variety of technologies such as remote sensors, ground-based cameras, satellite-based LiDAR and advanced bio-sensing to track deforestation, biodiversity shifts, and environmental stressors with unprecedented granularity.
Empowering communities through innovation
At the heart of ONE AMAZON’s IoF initiative is the belief that technology can transform conservation efforts into sustainable economic growth for local communities. By creating a digital ecosystem that supports activities such as precision agriculture, renewable energy, eco-tourism and smart climate adaptation, ONE AMAZON empowers local inhabitants to better manage their resources and improve their quality of life. The IoF also enables satellite-based internet connectivity, providing remote communities with access to essential services like education, healthcare and training.
The integration of diverse sensors and satellite images enables comprehensive monitoring, ranging from large-scale biomass assessments and deforestation detection to localized environmental changes like air quality fluctuations and water reserve levels. By providing this data in real-time, the IoF™ helps communities, governments, and other stakeholders respond swiftly to environmental threats, illegal activities, and natural disasters.
For more information about ONE AMAZON and its initiatives, please visit www.oneamazon.com.
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