Yes about Cars, Yes about Airplanes: See How Deforestation says "Yes" about Carbon Emissions
Yes about Cars, Yes about Airplanes: See How Deforestation says "Yes" about Carbon Emissions
Deforestation through rubber production, Credit, Mongabay.Com
Since the 1990s, nation states and companies wiped out up to fifteen million acres of tropical forests for the cultivation of rubber, according to two groundbreaking studies by an international team led by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburg (RBGE), in collaboration with Kunming Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and CIFOR-ICRAF China Country Program.
Since pre-industrial times, nations and companies wiped out 64 percent of the world's tropical rainforests, meaning just 36 percent remains in existence, with the production of palm oil one of the drivers of the deforestation.
Since 2000, companies in Ivory Coast wiped out 360,000 of a total 962,000 hectares of protected areas for the production of cocoa, while institutions in Ghana took out 26,000 out of a total 293,000 hectares for the cultivation of the crop.
Through the production of palm oil, rubber, and cocoa, the world lost a great amount of tropical forests in the past few decades, with for example 11.1 million hectares of forests in the tropical region cleared two years ago, a development spearheaded by Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2021, the global natural rubber supply hit 13.8 million tonnes, while demand reached 13.6 million tonnes, with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for 2021-2025 billed to reach three percent, the production of the crop estimated to reach around 15.5 million metric tonnes.
Last year, the global palm oil market size stood at USD67.3 billion and is expected to rise at a CAGR of 5.1 percent from 2023 to 2030, the market driven by the increasing demand for biofuel, cosmetics, and beverage.
The situation with palm oil also applies to cocoa, as the cocoa market size got valued at USD12,874 million in 2019, and is billed to hit USD15,601 million by 2027, the growth propelled by cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, etc.
The demand for palm oil, rubber, and cocoa rises, and when seen in the context of the increasing demand for soy bean and coffee, the world must lose a great amount of its tropical forest in the next few years, meaning a deforestation to the tune of millions of hectares of forests.
More than 31 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent poured into the sky through deforestation activities inside Brazil's Amazon Forest between 1985 and 2020, the quantity equal to almost 70 percent of all emissions in the entire Amazon region, which spilled 45.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases in total.
An equivalent of 3.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions got released through deforestation initiatives inside the tropical forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2021, the country having lost 1.22 million hectares of its natural forest.
A number equal to around six to eight percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally gets released through the deforestation activities inside the tropical forests of Indonesia, another country famous for burning its forests through the cultivation of palm oil and rubber.
The demand for all manner of consumer goods fuels the rising production of palm oil and rubber, which in turn fuels the loss of the world's tropical forests, which in turn fuels the growing rate of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, which in turn fuels climate change through the rising temperatures in many parts of the globe.
To tackle climate change, the globe needs to cut its demand for palm oil, rubber, and cocoa, since the cultivation of the crops leads to deforestation, which makes carbon emissions worse.
Exploding Sectors
Remote sensing, Credit, CRISP
As climate change intensifies with the use of fossil fuel , new technologies emerge while some old technologies and products grow. Here are some of the exploding products for founders, creators, activists, and the rest.
(1) Remote Sensing
Satellites, drones, and airplanes can be used to collect data about crops, such as their health, moisture levels, and nutrient status.
Remote sensing technology is used to gather data on the earth's surface and examine its physical environment.
The technology utilizes reflected and emitted light from aircraft and satellites without the need for physical contact with the surface area under study.
The global remote sensing technologies market size was valued at USD 17.53 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% from 2023 to 2030.
(2) LiDAR
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses laser light to measure distances to the Earth. It's like a super-precise radar, but instead of radio waves, it uses light.
By scanning across an area with multiple laser pulses, LiDAR can create a highly accurate 3D map of the environment. This data can be used for a variety of purposes, including mapping.
LiDAR is used to create detailed maps of terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure.
As of 2022, the global lidar market stands at a valuation of US$ 1.9 billion and is estimated to surge to US$ 6.29 billion by the end of 2032. LiDAR demand is projected to rise rapidly across the world at a CAGR of 12.6% between 2022 and 2032.
(3) Radar
Radar is a remote sensing technology that uses radio waves to detect and measure objects. It can be used to track changes in the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and oceans, making it a valuable tool for monitoring climate change.
Radar can be used to measure changes in sea level, which is another important indicator of climate change. Sea level is rising due to thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of glaciers and ice sheets.
The radar systems market size is estimated at USD 32.34 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 42.65 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.69% during the forecast period (2023-2028). Radars can be used in meteorology, aerial surveillance, and maritime domains.
(4) Hyperspectral Imaging
Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is emerging as a game-changer in the fight against climate change.
This advanced technology goes beyond traditional cameras by capturing not just colors, but hundreds of spectral bands across the electromagnetic spectrum.
This detailed fingerprint of light reveals hidden information about the health, composition, and stress of objects, making it ideal for monitoring and understanding the complex dynamics of our planet.
The global hyperspectral imaging systems market was valued at $16.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $34.3 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% during this period.
Opportunities for climate Tech investors, creators and founders
(1) Global Startup Competition 2024: Open to startups from any industry, offering exposure, networking, and potential deals. (Deadline: January 31st, 2024)
(2) Viva Technology.com: A major tech event in Paris with a startup competition, workshops, and keynote speakers. (Dates: May 22-25, 2024)
(3) 4YFN: An innovation platform in Barcelona with a focus on mobile technology and startups. (Dates: February 27-29, 2024)
(4) Shrmlabs BWCC Startup Track Competition: For startups solving workplace challenges, offering $50,000 and mentorship. (Deadline: January 15th, 2024)
(5) Venture Z Startup Competition (for Generation Z): Focuses on sustainable and innovative ideas, with prizes and networking opportunities. (Dates: June 5-7, 2024)
(6) CES Startup Competition: Showcases innovative consumer electronics startups, with potential media coverage and investor connections. (Dates: January 5-8, 2024)
(7) Deji Alli ARM Young Talent Award (DaYTA) 2024 for Innovative Nigerian startups (₦12,000,000 in funding) is open for applications. DAAYTA is an ARM initiative, in partnership with TechnoVision’s TVC Labs, that aims at providing young Nigerians with an opportunity to develop innovative startup ventures that add economic value to Nigeria.
What to Eat
Vegan food from Indonesia,
Credit, Taste Atlas