Highlighting the urgency of this project, the Inter-American Development Bank noted that "Biodiversity and ecosystems are declining globally and the pressures leading to such a decline are intensifying, requiring urgent action to reverse nature loss and avoid a 6th mass extinction (IPBES, 2019). There has been a global average decline of 69% in species populations since 1970 - Latin America and the Caribbean is at the very top of the list with an alarming 94% drop (WWF, 2022)." The IoF technology, specially tailored for Chiribiquete National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site and Colombia's largest national park - seeks to reveal the essential role of the Amazon rainforest and to safeguard it for future generations.
Allen Salmasi, co-founder and CEO of Veea, stated, "When we make the physical wonders of our planet visible in the digital realm, we unlock new opportunities for conservation, engagement, and economic growth. With advanced solutions like digital twins, IoF offers transformative capabilities that can quantify and visualize natural environments in entirely new ways to enhance conservation efforts to build a sustainable future."
The IoF platform utilizes ground sensors and cameras distributed throughout the rainforest to gather critical data, which is processed locally on VeeaHub devices arranged in a mesh network within key zones. Data is then backhauled by satellite to provide a comprehensive understanding of the region. By integrating this local data with satellite-based LIDAR and high-resolution imagery, the system, enhanced by AI and machine learning, offers deep insights into various environmental factors and the impacts of human activity. This array of tools supports real-time monitoring for events such as wildfires or land use changes, and it helps strengthen local communities' rights and livelihoods.
Rodrigo Veloso, CEO of O.N.E. Amazon, emphasized, "Our mission is to drive innovative solutions that promote sustainable development and significantly improve the well-being of the nearly 50 million inhabitants of the Amazon region, while helping with the preservation of biomes for future generations."
AECOM's global nature and sustainability lead, Robert Spencer, remarked, "Nature tech is revolutionizing the way we make decisions about the unique Amazonian tropical forest environment and the communities that depend on it. By leveraging live data, we can ensure that our actions are both effective and sustainable. AECOM is committed to driving better decisions and community outcomes through this powerful nature-focused partnership."
This innovative technology will also provide satellite-based internet access to local communities, paving the way for sustainable development initiatives like precision agriculture, water management, and renewable energy production. Additionally, Veea's edge-cloud computing platform enables a wide range of services, including:
+ Access to up-to-date educational, healthcare, and training content
+ Planning and managing renewable energy solutions
+ Monitoring pollution, natural disasters, and climate change impacts
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