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A conservation technologist, Shah Selby, combines his expertise in engineering and technology with conservation efforts. He founded Conservify, a non-profit creating open-source technologies to aid in global conservation. With projects like tracking gorillas in the Congo, monitoring Canadian glaciers, and assisting indigenous communities in the Amazon, Selby's work spans diverse ecosystems and employs innovative solutions.
Selby's focus on real-time environmental data collection and sharing revolutionizes conservation efforts. By using open-source technologies and rugged sensors, data from remote areas like the Amazon can be immediately shared online. This allows for rapid response to environmental threats and increases community engagement in conservation.
Selby's project with Banff National Park in Canada involves monitoring glacier melt using low-cost sensors. The data collected is shared in real-time through a display in Calgary, engaging the public in understanding the impact of glacier melt on local rivers. This interactive approach aims to raise awareness and prompt action in protecting critical water resources.
Selby's efforts extend to developing low-cost GPS tags for animal tracking, enabling researchers to study wildlife behaviors without invasive methods. By employing technology typically used for smartphones, he strives to empower conservationists globally. Selby's focus on democratizing conservation technology aims to create a more sustainable and informed approach to environmental preservation.
Desalination technology is seen as a viable solution for water scarcity as water sources dry up in the next 30 years. The process involves extracting salt from water through methods like multi-stage flash distillation and reverse osmosis. Despite its effectiveness, desalination consumes significant energy for water processing and relies on traditional energy sources. Efforts are being made to explore low-energy solutions like solar power to reduce environmental impact.
Consumers can play a significant role in environmental conservation by making informed choices. Avoiding single-use plastics, reducing red meat consumption, and selecting products without palm oil are simple yet impactful steps individuals can take. Making conscious decisions as consumers can contribute to mitigating environmental destruction and supporting global conservation efforts.
Addressing environmental challenges requires a comprehensive and sustainable approach to resource usage. Projects focused on providing clean water must consider long-term maintenance and sustainable practices to ensure lasting benefits. Efforts in conservation technology should emphasize collaboration and the involvement of skillful individuals to address complex environmental issues effectively.
THIS IS UPLIFTING, I PROMISE. And it might just make you switch careers. As a bookend to last week's Oceanology episode, Conservation Technologist Shah Selbe chats about saving the planet with some well-intentioned technology. Wind turbines, solar cars, and all the ways in which sensors, drones, recycled smartphones and real-time data reporting can help conserve species, spaces and communities that are threatened. Hear inspiring tales of travel, art, adventure and putting engineering to good use from a former rocket-science turned professional do-gooder.
Also discussed: crocodile astrology, fishing vests and hippo power displays.
Shah Selbe on Twitter and Instagram
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Sound editing by Steven Ray Morris
Theme song by Nick Thorburn
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