The inaugural "State of Wildfires" report, which was published in the journal Earth System Science Data (ESSD) a few months ago, sheds light on an alarming climate situation. According to the reports, 3.9 million square kilometers of forest burned globally this year. Fire carbon emissions recorded 16 percent above average, totaling 8.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2). Around 99 percent of forest fires in the world are the result of human action, which, in turn, is linked to a growing population that is expanding to rural areas called urban/forest interface zones that host a greater risk.
The forestry sector the world over must adopt innovative technologies that can mitigate these risks and also strengthen collaboration between companies, governments and local communities. It’s no secret that it’s a dire situation that demands strong leaders with long-term vision and short-term solutioning capabilities. These words embrace the story of Cristian León Ibarra, Founder & CEO of DROVID Technologies, a bespoke technology startup dedicated to experimental research and development in the f ield of prevention and early detection of problems associated with forest fires and public safety.
A Strong Passion Backed up By Experience
“My passion for nature can be traced back to my childhood. I have always had in mind the idea of finding a way that could help the environment and the challenges of humanity. For this, my technological knowledge, which is also another of my passions, has been fundamental”, asserts Cristian. “At DROVID, we are committed to addressing the climate crisis through technological innovation. Our passion drives us to offer cutting-edge solutions that protect forests and society while optimizing business operations. By utilizing advanced AI and drones with extended autonomy, we conduct autonomous surveillance over large forest areas. We believe our technology can significantly impact various sectors, helping to reduce the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere”, he adds.
An alumnus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Cristian also holds degrees from Duoc UC and MIT Professional Education. An Electrical and Electronics Engineer who began his career with an internship at an industrial sensors company, followed by nearly two years implementing and maintaining particulate matter monitoring systems across various sectors in Chile, he has over a decade of experience in problem-solving and direct B2B customer communication. Cristian’s extensive experience in this area has been a pivotal aspect of DROVID Technologies hitting the ground running.
A Detailed Approach Toward Problem-solving
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Cristian ensured that he got the foundation of his company right by prioritizing understanding the problem by interviewing experts from various organizations, including the National Forestry Corporation of Chile (CONAF), brigadistas, and park rangers. He meticulously documented these interviews to inform the solution design process. Additionally, Cristian and his team analyzed the latest advancements in machine learning and image processing to ensure their solution's effectiveness and feasibility.
This was validated with AI experts during the project's initial stage, culminating in a new methodology now being patented across multiple continents. This solution is being successfully tested at the Santa Blanca forestry company in Chile's difficult Maule region, where they have validated several stages of the process and also demonstrated its potential to mitigate illegal logging. This pilot project has strengthened DROVID Technologies' customer relationships, and they are now preparing to present the solution to a wider committee of forestry companies.
DROVID Technologies believes that success and its responsibility lie in creating a future where technology and nature can coexist in harmony, promoting sustainable development and preservation of forests for future generations
Furthermore, Cristian believes in the importance of partnerships with various ecosystem networks. Within eye-shut time, DROVID Technologies has collaborated with Fundación Inria Chile, the Environmental Crimes Brigade (BIDEMA) of the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI), and the National Forestry Corporation of Chile (CONAF) for experimental tests and data generation.
“We are also members of the United Nations Global Compact in Chile and Google's Startups for Sustainable Development (SFSD) program, which have helped us enhance our impact and value proposition. Additionally, support from the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) and the Chilean Production Development Corporation (CORFO) has been crucial in validating and developing our technology”, adjoins Cristian.
Tangible Results
However, in this "techade", companies need hard data and tangible results to buy into any service or product. Hence, to evaluate the environmental impact, DROVID Technologies analyzes damage statistics in forest areas, whether state managed native forests or company-owned forestry plantations. This damage may result from forest fires or illegal deforestation.
The company investigates the causes using research findings and satellite imagery, estimating the emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, which vary by forest type and maturity. Additionally, it assesses the carbon mitigation potential of different forests and the environmental impact when damaged hectares are lost.
“Economically, we consider the potential damage each affected hectare causes to the forestry industry, wood-dependent businesses, tourism, vineyards, and local communities. By quantifying both the economic and environmental impacts, we demonstrate the value of our advanced monitoring technology in specific territories and timeframes”, concludes Cristian.
In other words, DROVID Technologies believes that success and its responsibility lie in creating a future where technology and nature can coexist in harmony, promoting sustainable development and preservation of forests for future generations.
Cristian León Ibarra, Founder & CEO, DROVID Technologies
An alumnus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Cristian also holds degrees from Duoc UC and MIT Professional Education. He has over a decade of experience in problem-solving and direct B2B customer communication, which has been a pivotal aspect of DROVID Technologies hitting the ground running.
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