18th Jun 2024 Gemini 1.5 Pro
Will Marshall, co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs, begins by painting a bleak picture of the current ecological state of our planet. From his perspective, gained by observing Earth through the lens of hundreds of satellites, he argues that the situation is far more critical than many realize. The term he uses, "ecocide," underscores the gravity of the situation, highlighting the widespread destruction of entire ecosystems and the drastic decline in biodiversity.
Marshall emphasizes that this decline is not a future threat, but a present reality. He cites a study by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), revealing a staggering 70% average decline in animal populations over the last 40 years. This loss encompasses 82% of mammals, two-thirds of birds, and 75% of freshwater fish, painting a picture of a planet rapidly losing its vital lifeblood. This destruction, he argues, stems primarily from human encroachment on natural habitats, with deforestation for agriculture being a leading culprit. While climate change poses a significant threat, he posits that directly addressing habitat loss is more immediately critical, and, importantly, would contribute significantly to mitigating climate change.
"So this ecocide is the main problem in the environment space. There's also the climate problem. The ecosystem, the ecocide has been driven by a number of factors. Climate change is not the main one. The main one is human encroachment into habitat."
While acknowledging that technology alone cannot solve the ecological crisis, Marshall is a firm believer in its potential as a catalyst for change. He emphasizes that we already possess the knowledge and tools needed to address the most pressing issues; technology can help us implement solutions faster and more effectively. He points to the rapid societal shifts witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic as proof of humanity's ability to adapt quickly in the face of imminent threats.
"We don't need the tech. We don't need the tech, but it can accelerate. Right. And that's what, it's a catalyst, right? I think the biggest change that would help us in agriculture is the Europe and US changing their agriculture policies. That would be the fastest way to do this. But in the meantime, we can damn well help with satellite data as an example."
Marshall envisions a future where artificial intelligence, fed by data from satellites, drones, and ground sensors, provides accessible insights into the health of our planet. This data democratization, he believes, will empower individuals, NGOs, and governments to make informed decisions and take timely action. He cites examples like using AI to analyze building damage after earthquakes, providing real-time information on where aid is needed most.
Marshall dives deeper into the transformative power of satellite technology, highlighting the significant advancements in miniaturization and cost reduction in recent years. He draws parallels to the mainframe-to-desktop computer revolution, emphasizing that the thousandfold decrease in satellite costs opens up a plethora of opportunities. The key, he stresses, lies in leveraging the vast amounts of data these satellites gather.
This data, he argues, is the "new oil" – the fuel driving digital transformations across industries, including agriculture and environmental conservation. With AI algorithms trained on this data, we can monitor crop health, identify deforestation in real-time, and track sustainable farming practices with unprecedented accuracy. This information can empower farmers to optimize their practices, governments to enforce environmental regulations, and consumers to make responsible choices.
"And so our supply chains are going to essentially start to have much more source data and origination data back to their geo coordinates and location. And you can't just do this, you know, oh, no, no, I got it over there. No, no, no, I got it over there. So that people don't get to know whether it was deforestation free, you know, palm oil. It's like, well, prove it. Yeah, prove it. And so this is where the satellites, it's not just a solution, it's how do we create those feedback loops, those measurements, that data back to our systems."
While acknowledging the valid concerns surrounding the financialization of nature, Marshall sees potential in Web3 technologies, particularly smart contracts, to create more equitable and transparent systems. He envisions a future where smart contracts facilitate direct transactions between entities like Microsoft, seeking to offset their carbon footprint, and indigenous communities protecting their forests.
"But I do think there's a way through here that, as you say, with careful nuance thinking about, hey, that's been sure that no matter if there's any upside to that carbon credit it doesn't just go to microsoft to get shared right in a way that really cements all people being getting value um out of that rather than just the capitalists"
In this scenario, satellite data would verify the conservation efforts of these communities, triggering payments through smart contracts, thereby providing economic incentives for preservation. This direct connection, he believes, could help shift the power dynamics inherent in traditional conservation funding models, empowering local communities and ensuring a more equitable distribution of benefits.
While optimistic about technology's role, Marshall emphasizes that addressing the ecological crisis requires a fundamental shift in mindset and collective action. He argues that true solutions lie in education, cultural evolution, and a departure from the unsustainable growth-at-all-costs mentality that has brought us to this point. He stresses the need for policy changes, particularly in agriculture, to incentivize sustainable practices.
"I agree that urgency is part of what's caused a lot of our challenges, but I think it's more the growth mindset. And I don't grow at all costs and all this sort of stuff. Our economy is buffing up against planetary boundaries. And by the way, the planet's going to win. But how long are we going to take before we notice that? And, you know, so I think we've got to do the best job we can turning a right hand corner pretty quickly to go from 70% just, you know, ecocide in 40 years to almost zero in a couple of years, you know, we've got it and then give it back."
Ultimately, Marshall's message is one of cautious optimism. He acknowledges the complexities and potential pitfalls, but remains hopeful that by combining technological advancements with a renewed sense of urgency and a commitment to social and cultural change, we can avert the worst of the ecological crisis and preserve the preciousness of life on Earth.
Airtable