AquaPurge: Blockchain for Oceans

71% of our blue planet is covered by water, and the oceans safeguard 96.5% of Earth's water. The looming threat of ocean pollution casts a dark shadow over the delicate balance of life on Earth. Recognizing the urgency of this global crisis, healthy oceans become a shared responsibility.

At the forefront of this mission is Ibrahim A. , the creative founder of The AquaPurge Project . In this Q&A session, he shared insights into the profound intersection of blockchain technology and ocean conservation. Inspired by a lifetime spent witnessing the impact of pollution on coastlines, Aziz embarked on a mission to leverage web3 innovations for positive environmental change.

The session takes a deep dive into AquaPurge's unique approach, successful collaborations, technical strategies, achievements, and challenges faced in the pursuit of cleaner oceans.

Let's roll

Inspiration & Mission

Ndabari: What inspired you to found AquaPurge, and how does blockchain technology play a role in promoting ocean conservation?

Ibrahim: I have been living on the coast for most of my life and have been around oceans. I have seen first-hand the pollution and the effects, and as I entered into the web3 space, I came to see how it could be used to make an impact on our oceans.

Collaboration & Partnerships

Ndabari: Please share some examples of successful collaborations or partnerships AquaPurge has engaged in to further its mission.

Ibrahim: Of course yes.?

Greenworld – A web3 project that empowers positive environmental action.

Litter Token – Incentivizes litter picking and keeps a record by having pictures of each litter piece.

Monthly Earth Day – As a ReFi (Regenerative Finance) initiative, projects often hold some kind of impact activities on the 22nd of each month. AquaPurge holds its cleanups on Monthly Earth Day.

Technical Perspective

Ndabari: From a technical perspective, how does AquaPurge utilize blockchain to incentivize positive actions and reward contributions toward ocean conservation?

Ibrahim: AquaPurge Uses blockchain to incentivize people to report sightings of Ocean pollution along the shorelines. Blockchain is also used to keep these records immutable hence forming our global database of polluted areas.

Milestones & Achievements

Ndabari: What are some key milestones or achievements AquaPurge has reached since its inception?

Ibrahim: As AquaPurge, we have managed to collect over 1700 kg since we started in July 2023. Secondly, we have conducted 6 cleanup events in Kenya & Tanzania. Our average event attendance is 80 persons.

Data Collection Methods

Ndabari: Elaborate on the data collection methods AquaPurge employs to support its initiatives.

Ibrahim: We employ a report-to-earn feature where people can take real-time geo-tagged photos of polluted areas along the shorelines and earn rewards for it.

Accountability & Transparency

Ndabari: Blockchain technology is big on transparency and accountability. How is Aqua Purge realizing this in its operations, particularly concerning the allocation of rewards and contributions?

Ibrahim: We are in the process of setting up a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) that will be controlling the fund allocation in each cleanup event. This includes the budget set per cleanup and the incentives pool

Challenges in Blockchain Implementation

Ndabari: What are some challenges AquaPurge has faced in implementing blockchain solutions for ocean conservation, and how have you addressed them?

Ibrahim: Blockchain and Web3 are generally not known by people in coastal areas of Kenya. It becomes difficult for them to understand how AquaPurge works. This will be solved though, once we launch our app. We plan to abstract all this for an easy user experience.

Plans

Ndabari: As we peer through the future, what are AquaPurge's plans and goals in terms of expanding its impact and reach?

Ibrahim: AquaPurge is launching the Decentralized Cleanups to encourage mass Impact, starting with our pilot in March 2024. We’re also planning to partner with organizations outside Web3 to globalize our project’s name.

Community Engagements

Ndabari: Blockchain strength lies with community involvement. How does AquaPurge engage with local communities and stakeholders to maximize the effectiveness of its cleanup events and initiatives?

Ibrahim: For us to run our cleanups successfully, we engage with NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations), BMUs (Beach Management Units), and governmental offices. Usually, the BMUs help streamline the processes since they know the location best. They then go out to local NGOs and youth groups to increase the scale of our impact.

Other Innovative Solutions

Ndabari: Beyond the in-app store, other innovative solutions? AquaPurge is exploring to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for oceans and the planet.

Ibrahim: The Report-To-Earn feature is AquaPurge’s most innovative solution that uses rewards to incentivize impact on oceans.

Ndabari: Thank you for your time. We look forward to and urge everyone to join you in your Monthly Earth Day clean-up activities.

Conclusion:

As we conclude, it is evident that AquaPurge is not merely a project but a catalyst for making the World habitable. From leveraging blockchain to incentivizing positive actions and building a global database of polluted areas to engaging local communities and planning decentralized cleanups, AquaPurge is clearly demonstrating the power of technology in addressing environmental challenges.

With a commitment to transparency, future expansion, and innovative solutions like the Report-To-Earn feature, AquaPurge stands at the forefront of a cleaner and more sustainable future for our oceans and the planet.

Healthy Oceans Healthy Planet

To know more about The AquaPurge Project activities, have a look at their website.

Credit: Ndabari Thuku

Email: [email protected]

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