Use what already exists to protect the rainforest: How old phones can stop illegal logging
Illegal logging of the rainforest is a persistent and dramatic problem for our environment and humankind. The consequences of deforestation are immense, a few of which are the accelerated extinction of many animals, the reduction of the largest resource for CO2 storage in the world, and prolonged and dangerous droughts. Unfortunately stopping deforestation is not so easy: because illegal logging is usually discovered only when the trees are already gone.
Topher White, engineer and the founder of Rainforest Connection, has been able to find a way to more effectively address this serious problem and protect the rainforest with his RFCx monitoring system.
Contrary to what one might think at first glance, the innovation has little to do with high technology, but rather with the use of everything that is already there: old cell phones, microphones, solar cells and a good internet connection. In this way, which I find particularly fascinating, White has succeeded in making a big impact with something that we already have at our disposal.
The acoustic monitoring system he developed makes it possible to track and end illegal deforestation in real-time: sensors, made of old cell phones, microphones and solar cells, are attached to the crowns of trees in the rainforest. They record the sound of the rainforest continuously and send the recorded audio data to a monitoring system. There, the sound is altered so that the sounds of nature and animals are turned down and as a result the sound of chainsaws can be detected. As soon as the system detects noise of sawing, a notification is sent by email or app message to local patrols, who can then set off directly to stop illegal loggers in the process of cutting the trees.
Topher’s goal was to develop a technology that could be used in the context of the system, namely in the rainforest, by local people. What I find particularly noteworthy about this is that in the process of development, he worked with people on the ground and integrated the technology together with the users. After several iterations and first success, the technology was positively received and valued by the local community and the partners. For me, this appears to be a key factor that must be considered in the process of developing solutions.
In addition to the technology itself and how it detects and responds with real-time alerts to protect the rainforest, it is impressive to see the design thinking approach in practice:
- The understanding that it is not about creating super high-tech technology but also about making the innovation simple and scalable.
- The value of being connected to the context and understanding the behavior and the daily reality of the users, as well as interact and prototype closely with the user on site. This includes training the user and asking constantly for feedback.
- Addressing the problem with an integration into what is already there: using existing technologies to combine with the real time intervention challenge and lift the technology to a new dimension through upcycling and using what already works.
- Include a broader system view and understand the technology and how making use of it: the innovation needs a functioning overall process that includes, for example, that the local community implements the rules and laws.
- Consider broader effects that may occur, such as illegal loggers perceiving a higher risk of being caught and thus feeling deterred.
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