Bringing Blockchain to the Real World– Top Use Cases in Environmental Sustainability
Introduction
The last project article explored climate change’s effect and causative factors and how blockchain could be used to remedy the situation. This article will dissect deeper the real-world applications of decentralized ledger technology in making the environment more sustainable.
Blockchain is an innovative technology that can transform the fundamental nature of other technologies. By laying the foundation for new frameworks, new systems and infrastructures can be built to be more efficient. More so, traditional methods could meet blockchain halfway to innovate their processes.
Whether the novel technology forms the whole skeleton of new systems and infrastructures or a peripheral integration of existing ones, blockchain creates room for innovative approaches. This could trigger new business models and change the face of governance and public institutions.
Behind the scene of emerging technologies and a fast-changing global economy lies the biggest challenge of the century– migrating to a carbon-neutral world. Blockchain offers a novel approach in the struggle to create a sustainable future, and more is the case when integrated with other emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the internet of things.
Blockchain’s Role in Alleviating Poverty
The decentralized ledger technology has possible roles to play in helping the poor population. From cheaper remittance to direct cash transfer, blockchain is deployed on various levels to help the poor, especially in developing countries.
By eliminating intermediaries, cash aids reach the intended population directly and faster. The money spent on third-party charges when transferring money is saved, increasing the amount of money reaching the people. More so, there is little chance of the money getting into the wrong hands as it moves to its destination.
Financial inclusivity is another game-changing opportunity brought by decentralized ledger technology. Decentralized finance is an application of blockchain technology that provides financial services to anybody on the internet. It lowers the playing field for participation in the global financial ecosystem. The traditional banking system makes it difficult for the poor and the less educated to be involved. One of the requirements for opening a bank account is an official means of identification, which is not available to the impoverished population.
On the other hand, anybody on the internet can access the DeFi ecosystem. By making it possible for more people to have access to capital and financial services, DeFi opened the door to possibilities for this population. The effect is that people are gradually pulled out of poverty. A viable financial identity enables the poor population to mitigate the impact of a sudden financial crisis.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Water availability is one of the challenges facing the world population, including people living in urban areas. With the effects of climate change knocking hard, there is a need for efficient water security. Efficient management and equitable water distribution are at the front of securing water resources. From building a transparent infrastructure to overseeing robust water management strategies, blockchain will play a leading role in the economy of regions.
By decentralizing water infrastructures like information management systems, there is an increase in trust and efficiency. Moreover, government policies could be formulated based on reliable blockchain data.
Water resource management entails intriguing complexities, from the water source and quality tracking to utilization, supply chain, and discharge oversight. Decentralized infrastructures unravel the complexities without losing the efficiency of such systems. For example, water availability, when monitored, can be crossed with areas with lower supply. Other factors like water quality and its source can be registered on a decentralized infrastructure, increasing transparency and trust in the system.
Water is monitored through the supply chain to the end users from the source to the destination. Water utilization across regions is also considered when making decisions that affect distribution. More so, effective and transparent water management provides foresight about the possibility of water scarcity and helps to mitigate its effects.
The water consumed by domestic homes and business enterprises can be tracked with smart water meters and transmitted to the blockchain. This information is analyzed to provide details of safe water use levels. Water allocation and distribution implementation become equitable. Consumers could be rewarded or punished for responsible water consumption, encouraging water conservation.
Water availability varies across regions. While there is more than enough water in one geographical area, another area may be in danger of droughts or severe water scarcity. The idea of water trading is proposed to stay ahead of this challenge. However, there are concerns regarding water rights and the difficulty of setting up a marketplace for trading them. Water trading entails the exchange of water rights. In practice, it is a lot more complicated; this is where blockchain has possible roles.
Blockchain in the Energy Industry
The need to stay ahead of climate change is causing a dynamic shift in the energy market to accommodate renewable energy sources. Renewable energy, such as wind and solar, could decentralize energy generation and empower individuals to generate electricity, making energy trading inevitable.
Blockchain technology can power a decentralized energy trading market. As electricity consumers learn to produce, energy will be traded across big producers and high consumers. Blockchain enables transparent tracking and monitoring of energy use through smart meters.
Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
Blockchain offers the same opportunity as the internet did two decades ago. Like the internet, blockchain will trigger a fundamental shift in industrial systems and business models. Every business shifted to the internet to reach their customers, causing innovation in marketing and business strategies. However, the more significant chunk of blockchain potential is still on the ideation level. Technological advances will enable technology leaders to see the possibilities in the decentralized ledger.
One industry blockchain is poised to transform the real estate industry. Blockchain-based digitization of landed properties will enable smooth trade and ease of business. With smart contracts, ownership rights could be transferred at the tip of the fingers.
The supply chain is not left out. Manufacturers seek innovative ways to ship their finished products to their consumers at the lowest risk possible. Here, blockchain comes to mind- efficiency and transparency in one of the advantages of decentralized systems. It gives participants the power to access and verify data on the go.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
It is interesting to note that sustainable cities and communities feature as one of the United Nations SDGs, a vision marked out to improve the livelihood of the people in the urban centers. As technology advances, city infrastructures take a new shape, both in functionality and kind. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the internet of things are introducing new perspectives on how things could be done.
Blockchain has a vital role to play in building the cities of our dream. As the cities grow, so do the complexities of the systems that keep them functional. Blockchain offers a resilient framework for deploying and scaling public service systems and city infrastructures.
Enabling Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
With blockchain, public institutions can be made more accountable. Decentralized frameworks make data verifiable and accessible to involved parties. For example, citizens will develop trust in the government if they can verify the accuracy of public data themselves. One possible application of blockchain comes into play in distributing social amenities like electricity or water. Blockchain-based data management system gives insight into which area is much in need of power or water. In this case, the data is trusted because it is verifiable.
Conclusion
It cannot be denied that the impact of blockchain is only truly felt in the financial sector. However, it is also true that blockchain is still an emerging technology. As with trends among other novel technologies, their potential may not be fully realized in its first generation.
Blockchain is mainly in its experimental stages, with a lot of research underway. Developers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and the government are deploying blockchain in different areas to see what is possible with the technology.
5ireChain, for example, is building a sustainable future on the blockchain. Its consensus mechanism entails rewarding sustainable practices, and the blockchain startup is poised to become the industry standard in the nearest future.
As more hands come on deck to bring blockchain to life, it is only imaginable what could be achieved and to the extent, the nascent technology will transform society.
More information about 5ireChain can be found by clicking on the following links:
Website: https://5ire.org
White paper: https://bit.ly/3Qcsmor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5ireChain
Twitter: https://twitter.com/5irechain
Discord: http://discord.gg/5ire
Telegram: https://t.me/OfficialFireChain
