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Re: What is the best framework to consider possible approaches to carbon removal?
Hi @StefanieSimpson , thanks for your pos about jurisdictions. One argument we've heard is that the open ocean (i.e. ocean zones outside of the jursidiction of any nation) might be an ideal place for CDR technologies since they could avoid some of the permitting/right of use issues that have constrained some more coastal efforts. Obviously there are massive logistical and technological challenges with operating tens of miles from shore, but do you think this might be a viable option?
DanSelz
1
Re: Introductions
Welcome, @Moriano! We are very happy to have you as part of our online community and look forward to seeing your thoughts on challenges faced in the Amazon Rainforest. Given your experience and interest in sustainable development and new economic models for local communities, we'd love to hear your thoughts about how a greater understanding of rainforest biodiversity can be used to create new bio-economies. You can view the full discussion thread here: https://community.xprize.org/amazon-rainforest/discussion/199/what-are-some-examples-of-successful-biobased-economy-projects-in-the-amazon#latest
Re: What are some examples of successful biobased-economy projects in the Amazon?
Hello,
The Amazon Basin/Forest/Biome is an impressive region and is home not only of a huge biodiversity, but hundreds of human cultures well adapted and owners of a miriad of knowledge elements about nature and its uses. Similar to the açaí, there are hundreds of opportunities to explore non-timber forest products and some animal species with potentital for a sustainable management, bellow some examples:
- Amazon Nut (Bertholetia excelsa). Seeds are being used by local communities for centuries as source of food. The comercial exploitation is growing with potential to add value considering local processing to improve income generation to local producers. Studies and research are discovering other potential uses as ingrediants for industry of cosmetics and drugs. One experience in course is the one led by Vitória Amazônica Foundation: http://www.fva.org.br/index.php/2016/11/24/castanha-do-unini-ja-esta-venda/
- Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) for chocolate production. Other Amazonian plant with a excellent potencial. A good experience in course: https://www.nafloresta.com/nakau
- Plant oils and essences. A huge number of plant species with potential for drugs and cosmeticis industries is starting to be explored. There are many examples, one is here: https://www.amazonoil.com.br/en/
- Fish management. Hundreds of fishes species with diferent potentials of use as for food, ornamental/aquariam fishs and for tourism (sport fish). Some experiences: https://www.mamiraua.org.br/manejo-pesca
- Fibers and Handikrafts. A good potential to use plant fibers for production of natural handikrafts and fornitures, the same for some kind of uses of wood. Examples: https://pib.socioambiental.org/pt/Wariró_-_Casa_de_Produtos_Indígenas_do_Rio_Negro; https://www.galeriaamazonica.org.br/; https://fundacaoalmerindamalaquias.org/
I think to promote sustainability to influence the regional development in Amazonia in a better and less destrutive way and to promote conservation it is important to work in a perspective of multiple uses of natural resources working close to local communities. The history shows to us that pressure over one or another product could be destructive too. More and more we are loosing opportunities and field to the economic activities built in a business as usual model, with a look of prey over commodities. There are many positive aspects to open up a range of possibilities at the same time and they are related not only to use the amazon nature and its elements in a rational mode, but to value local cultures and social development related to cultural way of land ocupation and incorporating traditional knowledge and livelihoods to the development chain.
The Amazon Basin/Forest/Biome is an impressive region and is home not only of a huge biodiversity, but hundreds of human cultures well adapted and owners of a miriad of knowledge elements about nature and its uses. Similar to the açaí, there are hundreds of opportunities to explore non-timber forest products and some animal species with potentital for a sustainable management, bellow some examples:
- Amazon Nut (Bertholetia excelsa). Seeds are being used by local communities for centuries as source of food. The comercial exploitation is growing with potential to add value considering local processing to improve income generation to local producers. Studies and research are discovering other potential uses as ingrediants for industry of cosmetics and drugs. One experience in course is the one led by Vitória Amazônica Foundation: http://www.fva.org.br/index.php/2016/11/24/castanha-do-unini-ja-esta-venda/
- Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) for chocolate production. Other Amazonian plant with a excellent potencial. A good experience in course: https://www.nafloresta.com/nakau
- Plant oils and essences. A huge number of plant species with potential for drugs and cosmeticis industries is starting to be explored. There are many examples, one is here: https://www.amazonoil.com.br/en/
- Fish management. Hundreds of fishes species with diferent potentials of use as for food, ornamental/aquariam fishs and for tourism (sport fish). Some experiences: https://www.mamiraua.org.br/manejo-pesca
- Fibers and Handikrafts. A good potential to use plant fibers for production of natural handikrafts and fornitures, the same for some kind of uses of wood. Examples: https://pib.socioambiental.org/pt/Wariró_-_Casa_de_Produtos_Indígenas_do_Rio_Negro; https://www.galeriaamazonica.org.br/; https://fundacaoalmerindamalaquias.org/
I think to promote sustainability to influence the regional development in Amazonia in a better and less destrutive way and to promote conservation it is important to work in a perspective of multiple uses of natural resources working close to local communities. The history shows to us that pressure over one or another product could be destructive too. More and more we are loosing opportunities and field to the economic activities built in a business as usual model, with a look of prey over commodities. There are many positive aspects to open up a range of possibilities at the same time and they are related not only to use the amazon nature and its elements in a rational mode, but to value local cultures and social development related to cultural way of land ocupation and incorporating traditional knowledge and livelihoods to the development chain.
cdurigan
4
Re: What are the challenges to monitoring or deterring illegal logging?
@Ashok you are right we need to understand the underlying reasons of deforestation, as @COflyfisher stated there are several reasons such agriculture, cattle ranching, mining (which is taking a big chunk of the forest in this very same minute I am writing), and the lack of political will. Technology is ok, but it is important to provide other alternatives to local dwellers. @Adrixramos mentioned that internet access is poor and it will be poor, satellites are not able to capture information because it is always cloudy. Deforestation and illegal logging are two different although related issues. Illegal logging means cutting the trees without permits from the authorities; while deforestation happens even with permits. Mining, palm, and cattle industries have legal permits (under concessions) to change land use.
Sandra
1
Re: Food security, agricultural systems and impacts on conflict and migration
Yes, I think Africa is highly impacted by this type of encroachment and much of it is fueled by climate change too, not just mineral extraction activities. It is made even worse by the enormous rate of population growth and the youth bulge which means more pressure on urban and suburban areas.
PaulineB
2
Re: Time to highlight the role of Mitochondria in aging
Reportedly, alterations in mitochondrial function act as a potential central regulator of the aging process. The role of mitochondria in regulating the innate immune system, the mechanisms linking mitochondrial quality control to age-dependent pathology, and the possibility that mitochondrial-to-nuclear signalling might regulate the rate of aging.
There is an emerging role that mitochondria play in inflammation; how dysregulation of mitochondrial quality control and age-related mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to aging, age-related mitochondrial dysfunction, and the notion of retrograde signalling; and why a little mitochondrial stress might ultimately be a good thing.
Sources: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/120842
There is an emerging role that mitochondria play in inflammation; how dysregulation of mitochondrial quality control and age-related mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to aging, age-related mitochondrial dysfunction, and the notion of retrograde signalling; and why a little mitochondrial stress might ultimately be a good thing.
Sources: https://www.jci.org/articles/view/120842
Re: Introductions
Hello everyone. I am Jorge Vargas, and I am pretty excited about collaborating in this community. I am currently working at Sernageomin a regulatory organization at the chilean mining activity. I am a mechanical engineer and I hold a master of science degree from the Colorado School of Mines. I have extensive experience in managing Mining and Oil and Gas Engineering Projects in different places of the world and optimizing processes through six sigma methodology. Modelling and optimizing processes are my areas of interest so I will be glad of collaborating with my skills in the challenge of implementing the visión of zero waste mining.
Re: Discussion of National Academies Study
Hi @dgoldber , thanks for your response! Are you aware of any efforts to commercialize the basaltic lavas (as building materials or others)? In other words, is there a path to economic viability for this outside of a real vauation on C removal from the atmosphere?
DanSelz
2
What would the biggest challenges to competing in this prize be?
Please click here to review a rough draft of what a broad, technology agnostic prize design could look like. Please note that this is strictly a draft version meant to stimulate discussion. It in no way reflects a decision of or commitment by XPRIZE to move forward with this type of design.
Pick a CDR technology or solution pathway you’re working on or supportive of.
Pick a CDR technology or solution pathway you’re working on or supportive of.
- Would that technology or pathway be able to compete successfully given the metrics and structure articulated in this prize design? Which metric(s) might be challenging for you? Why?
- Are there alternative metrics or criteria we could use in a broad or technology agnostic prize design that might alleviate this problem?
XPRIZE
1
Re: Mapping the Amazon?
(Aerial) spectrographic tree (type) mapping. Knowing what types of trees (and their relative abundances) will help inform conservation AND reforestation efforts.
marz62
2