Storytelling Through Maps - Alexander Watson and Mange Kumarasamy (explorer.land)
Nov 9, 2024
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Alexander Watson, Co-founder and CEO of Explorer.land, and Mange Kumarasamy, Head of strategic partnerships at the same platform, delve into the art of storytelling through maps to champion environmental causes. They discuss their journey from corporate success to climate activism, highlighting the importance of transparency and innovative technology in reforestation efforts. The duo also emphasizes the role of traceability in building consumer trust and the need for collaboration to tackle pressing environmental challenges effectively.
Explorer.land utilizes advanced technologies like drones and geospatial databases to enhance transparency and accountability in reforestation efforts.
The platform promotes a positive narrative around environmental restoration, sharing success stories that inspire community engagement and investment.
Clear legislative guidelines are essential for unlocking funding and facilitating effective restoration projects, addressing regulatory barriers in the environmental sector.
Deep dives
The Origins of Explorer.land
Explorer.land was founded in 2011 with the aim of improving transparency in reforestation efforts. The co-founder, who initially worked on agroforestry systems in Panama, observed that well-intentioned projects could inadvertently result in negative outcomes, such as deforestation, when not properly managed. This experience underscored the need for a data-driven approach to ensure accountability and effectiveness in environmental projects. By integrating advanced technologies like drones and geospatial databases, Explorer.land aims to deliver reliable data to both project managers and funders, enhancing trust and communication.
Creating Visibility Through Technology
The platform serves as a hybrid of social media and mapping tools, enabling users to showcase their ecological projects with enriching narratives supported by robust data. Projects can share geolocated news posts, photos, and satellite images that document progress over time, providing a comprehensive view of ecological recovery efforts. The inclusion of various data layers allows users to connect animal movements and forest growth, effectively telling a dynamic story that engages stakeholders and potential funders. This approach aims to create confidence among investors and stakeholders by visibly demonstrating the tangible impact of their contributions.
Shifting the Narrative to Inspiration and Collaboration
A key focus for Explorer.land is to counter the pervasive negative narrative surrounding environmental degradation. Instead of solely highlighting destruction and loss, the platform promotes success stories of ecological restoration and innovative projects that offer hope for the future. Engaging the community and showcasing inspiring initiatives enables a more positive outlook, encouraging broader participation in environmental causes. This story-driven method not only informs but also motivates individuals and organizations to contribute actively to the regeneration and preservation of natural resources.
Navigating Regulatory Landscapes and Funding Bottlenecks
The conversation highlighted the role of legislation in facilitating environmental projects, particularly in relation to the carbon market. Although funding for restoration efforts is abundant, regulatory frameworks often hinder project implementation, leaving many initiatives underfunded. By advocating for clear legislative guidelines, Explorer.land aims to streamline the funding flow towards on-the-ground restoration efforts. Addressing this critical bottleneck is necessary to unlock the potential of private and public investments in conservation and restoration projects around the world.
Fostering a Sustainable Business Model
Explorer.land operates on a Software as a Service (SaaS) model, ensuring accessibility for various organizations, especially those in low-income regions. While the platform offers a free plan, deeper engagement features are available for a fee, which supports continuous development and improvement. The aim is to balance financial sustainability with broader social impact, ensuring that critical projects in places like Sri Lanka receive the support they need. Ultimately, the team envisions a cooperative model in the future, where all stakeholders can share in the governance and success of the platform, reinforcing a community-oriented approach to conservation.
