Friday, March 22, 2019

XPRIZE Backs Forest Health Effort

Los Angeles-based XPRIZE, the nonprofit which runs competitions to encourage the development of new technology to solve some of the world's problems, has put its efforts behind forest health, saying it has put together an outline of potential breakthroughs required for healthier forest ecosystems. The company said its "Future of Forests Impact Roadmap" is being sponsored by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and might be the basis of future XPRIZE competitions. XPRIZE outlined some key technologies it says it has determined might help "achieving a better future for forests and humankind", including the development of synthetic wood alternatives, alternatives to meat production, ultra-efficient farming technology, and more. XPRIZE said that more than 32 million acres of forests are lost due to human activity every year, with research showing that continued mass deforestation and degradation is accelerating climate change.