Can a blockchain save endangered species?

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Cryptocurrency is not known to be environmentally friendly (well, not work-testing mechanisms like Bitcoin), but a new blockchain project could help save endangered species at a discount.

The Newton Project, wwhich seeks to replace centralized intermediaries with markets without trust, has announced plans to help combat animal poaching with the help of blockchain-based monitoring devices.

In an e-mail to Crypto Briefing, the Newton project outlined perspectives for a network of IoT devices, sensors and drones on a chain to track and monitor endangered wildlife in the expanses of the savannah.

"Newton NewSensor the technology consists of small IoT devices for monitoring position, temperature, air quality, humidity, etc. and upload data to NewChain, Newton's blockchain. By placing a NewSensor under the skin of an endangered mammal, such as a rhino or an elephant, we can trace the location and basic behavior of that animal. Many animals are social and follow a leader, so instead of labeling each individual, we can simply label individuals worthy of note. "

The system, if implemented successfully, could solve the problems of localization and monitoring of wild herds on vast wild regions.

In addition, the Newton Project has also proposed launching fleets of "NewDrones" equipped with cameras and microphones, to track local conditions and report intruders. "NewDrone footage will be uploaded to the NewChain for an indelible and incisive recording of potential poaching" a Newton spokesman said. "Using NewAI, this data can be analyzed and anything suspicious sent to local authorities."

The application of the blockchain technology to the protection of wildlife could therefore reduce the pressure on local authorities for the protection of wildlife, which often fight with limited resources:

"Local authorities are often ineffective – not because they are corrupt or indifferent, but because these parks are huge, and police budgets and parks are limited" Newton Project said. "Our solution reduces costs and manpower, making the police cheaper, easier and more transparent."

But fighting poachers can be a matter of wishful thinking: from time to time, the big ideas to foil those involved in the illegal trade in wild animals are countered by equally creative ways of escaping discovery; and there is no indication that these technologies are still at the prototype level.

Political solutions are perhaps more likely to succeed than technological ones. China has recently responded to fierce criticism of its decision to legalize the importation of certain parts of the rhino and tiger body simply by reversing it.

It is not yet clear how easily the proposed subdermal sensors can be planted on a significant scale, or what the cost of implementing the program could be.

But despite the obstacles that the initiative could face in the short term, it is an ambitious move by the Newton Project, a blockchain system that aims to reinvent everything from agriculture to supply chains with help. of internet-of-things technology.

When it comes to use cases for this emerging technology, wildlife protection would seem to be a prime example of creative thinking – and a genuine benefit to humans and animals with whom we share our planet.

The author is invested in digital goods, but none mentioned in this article.

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