PROTECTING

PLANET

Can tech make the difference?

OUR

Rising temperatures are having a devastating effect on our environment and life as we know it.

We need to adapt and fast.

We are living in a climate emergency.

Using the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence and 5G, we can.

Starting with sustainable farming

It’s time to do things differently and fight back against climate change.

Rising fuel and energy costs, climate change and low market prices, are making it increasingly difficult to earn a living.

Talking to farmers across Europe and Africa, we learnt about the challenges they face.

Life on the farm is tough

However, they need government support. From the cost of devices and hardware, to digital training and connectivity in rural areas.

With digital tools, farmers can monitor crops and livestock at the click of a button,  leading to better processes and less waste.

Two thirds of farmers agree tech can help secure the future of their business. 

To support farmers in the field, Vodafone’s Connected Farmer platform shares tips on best practice, information about where to train and guidance on how best to adopt tech.

Confidence in the field

While our cloud-based platform, MyFarmWeb can provide farmers with much-needed insights across their land.

“Through MyFarmWeb, we can analyse soil level-by-level and adjust where needed, through fertiliser, irrigation or so on, reducing waste.”

In South Africa, Theunis Pretorius has seen a 15-20% increase in crop production.

The app gives farmers data on soil humidity, the weather, crops, insects and much more.

The benefits of IoT don't stop on the farm.

Safeguarding trees

Listening to the forest, the guardians recognise threats such as chainsaws or cars and immediately notify rangers.

In Romania, we’re using devices called ‘digital guardians’, to prevent illegal logging.

Analysing the impact of temperature, humidity and soil moisture, we can better manage forests to maximise the carbon they absorb.

In the UK, we are also working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Forest Research to monitor tree growth.

Teaming up with Extreme-E, a pioneering electric motor racing series, we want to restore and preserve olive groves.

In Sardinia, last year’s wildfires forced thousands to flee their homes.

What about natural disasters?

While planting trees, we also installed sensors that can detect fires or smoke early on and alert local authorities.

Providing early warnings means firefighters and farmers can act before the fire takes hold, helping to protect the forest and save lives.

Along the British coastline, scientists are using the same tech to track coastal erosion as rockfalls and landslides threaten this World Heritage Site, and people.

In Greece, earthquakes cause disastrous consequences.

Applying sensors along fault lines, we can spot large tremors. Giving citizens time to secure dangerous equipment and reach safety, reducing injuries and loss of life.

Over time, authorities can use this information to build cities and towns that can withstand smaller movements.

Working with Imperial College London, we’re asking smartphone users to download Vodafone Foundation’s award-winning DreamLab app to speed up climate research.

What if you could fight climate change through your smartphone?

Now DreamLab users can harness their smartphone’s processing power to create the world’s largest public database of synthetic tropical cyclones.  

Cyclones affect millions of people and cost billions in damage each year.

This research will help scientists understand the risk of cyclones on communities, and how climate change is worsening their effect.