Greenspace Health

You might have heard talks about permaculture gardens recently. They’re usually associated with eco-friendliness and sustainability, right? Well, they’re all that and more. Let’s unpack the mystery around the term with some basic definitions and a step-by-step guide on experimenting with it. What is Permaculture? . It’s a set of thinking tools to navigate our interaction with natural systems. Also, it helps us regulate our use of natural resources so that we may reproduce sustainability in all our living environments. Permaculture is a way to design systems that are able to cultivate and maintain a “permanent” “culture” Initially in the 1970s, it had emerged as a means to do “permanent” “agriculture” as conceptualized by two ecologist researchers based in Australia, and . The researchers were looking into ways of designing landscapes that imitate nature and provide plenty of food, fiber, and energy for local use. Their approach focused on working with nature rather than against it. Bill Mollison David Holmgren Permaculture emphasizes working together and being responsible for the environment. It uses a whole-systems approach to design and taking action on the ground. Permaculture is based on ethical values, ecological principles, traditional cultural values, and scientific knowledge. For those that want to read up on all the research and base of knowledge that complemented its definition, I’ll include some resources at the end of this article. But now, let’s jump straight into the kinds of steps you can take to better understand what permaculture in action looks like. Permaculture Gardens Level 1: Urban Life with No Access to Balcony or Soil If you don’t have the time or resources to cultivate a permaculture garden within your living space or somewhere in your vicinity, you can still practice permaculture for example by supporting the biodiversity in your area. Level 1, Idea 1: Seed Shakers Seeds, salt and pepper shakers What you’ll need: Research the types of plants and flowers your local birds and bees especially enjoy. Find their seeds, put them in salt and pepper shakers with holes adequately sized for the seeds to pass through. Ideally, get a shaker with a lid; that way, you can easily carry them around in your bag. Whenever you see some soil that looks somewhat healthy in legal areas, shake your seeds away. This is guaranteed to earn the liking of your local bees and birds. And also of course, Mother Earth. If this sounds interesting, take a look at ’ story. Seed Ninjas Level 1, Idea 2: Seed Balls Seed balls are pasty balls with seed at its core. Some question their efficiency and recommend using other, more targeted methods instead. Still, for the non-greenthumbs out there, or perhaps as an activity for children, it might be fun to throw these living things around. Most seed balls have clay, compost, seed and water in them. If you will not be using pre-made seed balls, you will need to research well into what to put inside your balls to not make them unknowingly harm your local ecosystem. There might be some other preparations you should make: For example, if you will target deserted places, you might want to include assertive native seeds. If you’ll be harvesting the seeds yourself, you might have to stratify them before forming the balls to make sure they survive the journey. If seed balls sound fun, take a look and . here here Level 1, Idea 3: Your Garden on the Street If you're looking for a way to give back to your local community and help beautify the area, consider becoming a guerrilla gardener! This involves claiming and protecting unused or barren pieces of land in your neighborhood and using them to grow native species, like . here For instance, if you find yourself walking the same route every day, why not set up a garden nearby? You can even set up protection measures to keep your plants safe from animals or other potential hazards. Keep in mind, however, that your municipality may have different rules regarding guerrilla gardening, and you may need to relocate your garden if necessary. Regardless, I believe it's worth giving guerrilla gardening a try. By creating a green space in your community, you're contributing to a more attractive and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy. Of course, if you prefer a more organized approach, many cities offer community gardens where you can work alongside others to cultivate a shared space. Whether you choose to go guerrilla or stick with a community garden, planting native species is a great way to help promote biodiversity and support the local ecosystem. And who knows, you might just inspire others in your community to follow your lead and start their own gardens too! Level 1, Bonus Idea 1: Collect Trash Everywhere Trash bag What you’ll need: If you're looking for a way to make a positive impact on the environment, volunteering as a trash collector can be a great option no matter where you are. Personally, I find underwater trash collection to be my favorite way to help out. Of course, it does come with its challenges - like needing to hold my breath for longer than I'm used to in order to pick up plastic bottles and other debris. But the rewards are well worth it. Knowing that I'm helping to preserve the beauty of the underwater world brings me a lot of joy, even if my contributions may seem small. If you prefer to stick to dry land, there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved in trash clean-up efforts. Whether you're a fan of hiking, camping, or just spending time in nature, you can make a difference by picking up litter wherever you go. And if you're looking for a more organized approach, there are often community clean-up events that you can participate in. These can be a great way to connect with like-minded individuals and make an even bigger impact on the environment. No matter how you choose to get involved, volunteering as a trash collector is a simple and effective way to do your part in keeping our planet clean and beautiful. Level 1, Bonus Idea 2: Build a Terrarium A glass container, plants that thrive in humid environments, small pebbles for drainage, soil, activated charcoal (not mandatory, but recommended), tools to help you put things into place (like little trowels, spoons or chopsticks), small pieces for decoration What you’ll need: Okay, some of you might not really count this as permaculture practice. Rightly so. A terrarium is a miniature environment with soil and plants, human-made usually as a decorative element to bring some nature indoors. While building a terrarium, you should aim to choose slow-growing plants that won’t have a hard time adapting to the terrarium landscape. For some suggestions for the types of plants that might do well, search online (you might start__ __). here Permaculture Gardens Level Two: Urban Life with Access to Balcony Imagine stepping outside onto your balcony and being greeted by a lush garden filled with fresh produce. Creating a permaculture garden in a small space is not only a great way to grow your own food but also a way to minimize your impact on the environment. To get started, assess your available space and work with the environmental conditions such as light and temperature. . Go beyond expectations by utilizing every inch of space. For example, vertical gardening is an effective technique for maximizing space in a small area. You can also use containers of different sizes to grow a variety of plants. Don't let limited space discourage you When choosing plants, consider ones that are well-suited for small space gardening and make the most of available resources. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get started, nor do you need a perfectly lit space with plenty of sunshine everywhere. You can build raised garden beds using recycled materials like wooden pallets or cinder blocks. To obtain a great yield, use a mix of compost, soil, and sand, and water your plants regularly. Adding a layer of mulch can help retain moisture and reduce weed growth. Consider companion planting to maximize your plant's benefits and reduce the need for pesticides. If you harvest more than what you can immediately consume, think about ways to preserve your produce. By creating a permaculture garden, you can transform your balcony into an oasis of fresh produce and beauty while strengthening your understanding of permaculture. Permaculture Gardens Level Three: Urban Life with Access to Soil While the basics of permaculture gardening remain the same regardless of whether you're planting in soil or on a balcony, there are some key differences to keep in mind. . This can include adding features like swales to capture and store rainwater, or planting fruit trees and bushes for a more diverse yield. When gardening in soil, you have a larger area to work with, which means you can incorporate more layers of complexity in your design If you have some soil to play with, you can experiment with what’s described above and add a few layers of depth, especially when it comes to water management, site observation and healthy soil maintenance. When starting out, it's important to take the time to carefully observe your site. This can help you to determine the best placement for your garden, which plants are most suited to your particular soil and climate, and how to maximize the use of natural resources like sunlight and water. Some helpful techniques for site observation include , mapping, and tracking the movement of the sun and wind throughout the day. soil testing In addition to site observation, healthy soil maintenance is a key aspect of successful permaculture gardening. One way to achieve this is through the use of compost, which helps to improve soil structure, fertility, and water-holding capacity. Composting can be done using a variety of methods, from simple piles to more advanced vermicomposting systems. Other techniques for maintaining healthy soil include cover cropping, crop rotation, and mulching. In summary, regardless of whether you're practicing permaculture gardening in soil or on a balcony, there are unique considerations to keep in mind to make the most of your available space and resources. In the context of soil-based permaculture gardening, site observation and healthy soil maintenance are key to achieving a successful and sustainable garden. While permaculture is often associated with rural areas, it can also be applied to urban and suburban settings, as we've discussed. However, in rural areas where larger plots of land are available, permaculture design can be taken to the next level, incorporating more elements like , agroforestry, and water catchment systems. Let's dive deeper into how permaculture can be applied in rural areas. animal husbandry Permaculture Gardens Level Four: Rural Life with Access to Soil As you may have noticed already, Additionally, permaculture advocates for biodiversity and opposes the use of heavy chemicals in our ecosystems. permaculture is essentially about recognizing the dynamic nature of all elements of the ecosystem in your space design and planning in a sustainable way that will require minimal effort in the long term. There are many ways to increase biodiversity in permaculture design. One approach is to incorporate a wide range of plant species in your garden or farm. This can include both annual and perennial plants, as well as plants with different growth habits and functions. For example, you might plant fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs, and flowers, as well as plants that fix nitrogen, provide ground cover, or support pollinators. Another way to promote biodiversity is to create habitats for wildlife. This might include planting native species that provide food and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. You can also incorporate features like ponds, birdhouses, and bat boxes to attract a variety of wildlife to your site. In addition to incorporating plant and animal species, you can also increase biodiversity by creating a diversity of microclimates within your site. This might involve planting in different areas with varying levels of sun exposure, soil moisture, and wind protection. You can also use features like swales, berms, and hugelkultur beds to create different growing conditions and provide habitats for different types of plants and animals. When it comes to permaculture design, a rural area with ample soil space offers the opportunity to create a more holistic picture of the ecosystem. By carefully observing the land, you can choose from a diverse range of plants that will bring multiple benefits to your garden. From providing fruits and vegetables for consumption to supporting the health of the soil and the local wildlife, each plant plays an important role in the larger ecosystem. . The layout of your space can also have a significant impact on its overall function and productivity. That's where the concept of stacking functions comes in. By designing each element of your garden to fulfill at least one function, you can create a space that maximizes the use of resources and reduces waste. But it's not just about choosing the right plants When it comes to the physical layout of your garden, it's important to think beyond traditional rectangular shapes. , for example, is a popular design that features a central circular bed with a keyhole-shaped path leading to it. This allows for easy access to all areas of the garden, while also making efficient use of space. The keyhole layout Another layout option to consider is . Found throughout nature, spirals can be used to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional design in your permaculture garden. Spiral gardens can be particularly useful for growing herbs and small plants, as they allow for easy access to all parts of the garden. the spiral layout No matter which layout you choose, the key is to think creatively and prioritize the health and productivity of your garden. By taking the time to observe your site, choose the right plants, and design a functional layout, you can create a permaculture garden that is both beautiful and productive. Further Reading on Permaculture Design Permaculture is a way of designing and cultivating systems that are sustainable and able to maintain a "permanent" "culture". It emphasizes working together with nature to design for long-term sustainability and biodiversity. Even if you don't have the resources to cultivate a permaculture garden, there are still steps you can take to practice permaculture, such as supporting biodiversity in your area or becoming a guerrilla gardener. Planting native species and collecting trash everywhere can also have a positive impact on the environment. By taking these small steps, you can make a meaningful contribution to sustainability and the health of the planet. Every small action counts towards creating a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. Here is some more reading if you’d like to deep dive into the theory and practice of permaculture: Permaculture Principles Life and works of , , , , , , Bill Mollison David Holmgren Masanobu Fukuoka Toby Hemenway Geoff Lawton Rosemary Morrow Jadav Payeng On Permaculture Northern Beaches: Balcony and small space permaculture On GrowVeg: Permaculture in small gardens Permaculture projects on hackaday.io This conversation on Reddit about developing a Solarpunk project The lead image for this article was generated by HackerNoon's via the prompt "permaculture". AI Image Generator

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Nearly two thirds of the global population are city-dwellers. Urbanization, whilst generally associated with increased standards of living, better job opportunities, and access to critical services like healthcare, is intertwined with rapid industrialization, which puts tremendous pressure on environmental resources. This continued and unfettered congregation towards concentrated development has had severe consequences on the ecological systems; indeed, cities consume more than 70% of the world’s energy, despite occupying only 3% of the landmass. Traditional infrastructure can no longer sustainably accommodate the demands of rapid growth, meaning the transition to smart cities powered on renewable energy is imperative for future stability. But fortunately, many progressive leaders are acknowledging the degradation associated with our compounding growth, and are beginning to implement alternative urban planning blueprints. By integrating principles of design thinking, organic materials, and connected devices, engineers and city planners are devising creative mechanisms to circumvent further damage. These “smart cities” as they’re colloquially termed, depend on integrating advanced technologies, the internet of things (IoT), and the application of GIS software to contextualize and make practical use of massive amounts of big data. This post will dig deeper into some of the progressive initiatives of cities, futuristic design thinking, and best practices in the works now around the world. Japan As far as best in class in, well, everything goes, Japan has pretty much always been near the top. Perfectionists in every pursuit, the government has begun to emphasize renewable energy adoption, shifting gears to becoming a carbon neutral nation. Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Japan has committed to a zero-carbon footprint plan for all new public buildings, by as early as 2020. They’ve also recently implemented a new type of wind turbine structure — called the wind lens — which amplifies the power generation by a factor of three. This structure is especially useful for the topology of Japan, which is generally short on space but with a relatively large offshore maritime boundary. Japan has also passed a new law for the purchasing of home-generated electricity for the grid, and a pilot program between peer-to-peer energy trading blockchain startup Power Ledger with Japanese startup, , demonstrating a new focus on a decentralized energy market. Sharing Energy They’re even infusing this carbon neutrality mentality into the upcoming . Notoriously an extremely disruptive, dirty, and energy intensive event, the Olympics has never placed sustainability at the forefront of its priorities. Tokyo Olympic Games But in typical Japanese style, they’ve decided to take technology and service to the next level and have committed to powering the entire event exclusively through renewable sources. All Olympic facilities — from the stadiums to the athletes’ village will be powered by renewables. They’re currently even building solar roads — solar panels embedded directly in roads — to generate some of the power used by the 2020 Games. Driver-less taxis and robot translators are being introduced, and they’re even making medals from precious metals collected from used mobile phones Songdo, South Korea It’s unbelievably complicated — not to mention, costly — to retrofit an industrial space to “green” it, and while it is critical that we focus on these initiatives, the real cities of the future are the ones that have been conceived from scratch. — a $35 billion smart city built just off the coast of Seoul in South Korea, is setting new benchmarks for urban development. Equipped with data sensors that are continually collecting and analyzing information on sustainability metrics, like the city’s flow of water, energy, and traffic, it is setting a new precedent for the future of sustainable infrastructure. Songdo International Business District The city has partnered with tech companies and government organizations to develop sophisticated resilience and disaster management plans, and was the first to receive LEED precertification — an accolade for environmentally-friendly performance in energy, transportation, trash and water. Some of the key features of Songdo’s urban resilience strategy: a central pneumatic waste disposal system eliminates the need for garbage pick-up and sorting. Low U value windows are used in buildings as well as LED lights, a water-cooled air conditioning system, and solar energy, which reduces energy consumption in each building by 30%. The city automatically separates drinking water and greywater, with the latter being recycled for irrigation, industry, public toilets, and street cleaning. And there are 25 km of bike paths, extensive walking paths, and 40% green space, and the ubiquitous EV charging stations placed throughout the cityscape encourage clean transport. Masdar City, UAE Another futuristic low-carbon urban development, , plans to become the world’s most sustainable eco-city; running entirely on renewable energy, it aims to emit virtually zero waste. The city takes what’s naturally there — prevailing winds and the beating sun — to accelerate technology that will ultimately accommodate rapid urbanization. Masdar City of Abu Dhabi The project was designed to foster a truly self-sustainable city, with a car-free city-scape, driverless electric cars, and a return to the horse-drawn carriage era. How quaint! Planned to be home to around 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses, it specializes in nearly every environmentally friendly practice known to man. Every home is powered by its individual rooftop solar panels, and is designed to conserve 35% less water and 72% power than the average house. Food is harvested through vertical farming installations built inside old shipping containers using hydroponic methods on a fully automated basis, with no need for human intervention. Their water system extracts 15 gallons of drinking water per day from the air, using a solar-powered system that requires little maintenance, with all water being recycled. The project is on track to be completed by 2020, so stay tuned for more on this one. Morocco As a continent, Africa has been slower to jump on the clean energy bandwagon, hampered by limited electrification infrastructure and lack of investment. However, this is all changing. In the first six months of 2017, $236m was invested in renewable energy projects throughout Africa, with particular focus on harnessing the regions plentiful sunshine for solar power projects. Especially useful in rural low-income areas, off-grid solar is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to bring electrification to these areas, as it does not require extensive infrastructure investment and can be installed relatively quickly. Morocco’s 42% renewable energy target by 2020 makes it one of the most ambitious nations in the world, but thanks to their bold development of the , they’re well on track. Undeniably the regional leader in clean energy, they’re planning to supply the entire Arab world and African region with renewable power. Noor Ouarzazate complex Upon completion, the Noor Quarzazate will be the world’s largest concentrated solar farm — the size of 3,500 football fields! Producing enough electricity to power a city the size of Prague, or twice that of Marrakesh, at over 1 million homes, it’s a game-changer for the solar universe. Harnessing the nearly 365 days of sunlight in the Sahara, the complex is cumulatively about 580 megawatts, averting more than 760,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The innovative panel and storage design uses curved mirrors to concentrate radiation into heat tubes of fluid that are sent directly to a power unit, where the energy will be stored for use at a later time, providing a solution to the familiar intermittency challenges posed by solar energy. Chernobyl Repurposing urban (or abandoned) spaces has become a staple of counterculture for decades. But now this concept is beginning to go mainstream, and even the most unpredictable of spaces is seeing a redesign. — the verboten site of the nuclear explosion from the ’80s that transformed most of northern Ukraine into a radioactive wasteland — is experiencing a redesign in the form of a high-capacity solar farm. Chernobyl Since the surrounding 1,000 square miles can’t be safely occupied by humans for another 24,000 years, and there is already high-voltage electrical grid infrastructure in place, this retrofit is an optimal use of non-arable land. Generating about 100 megawatts of power, the clean energy powerhouse is capable of generating almost a third of the electricity of its nuclear predecessor, enough to power more than 2,000 households. Built only 100 meters from the dome that houses the former nuclear power plant’s reactor, the plant opened late 2018, and the government has plans to increase the scale 200-fold. Talk about a cool use of useless space! Seasteading A decade ago, Silicon Valley heavyweight, Peter Thiel, co-founded the with the intentions of creating the world’s first floating city. Originally intended as a libertarian utopia circumventing the political strongholds of dysfunctional society, the concept has transitioned into a realistic solution to combating climate change-induced rising sea levels that threaten coastal cities. Seasteading Institute, In May 2018, the institute initiated a pilot project in tandem with the government of French Polynesia, aiming to build a 300-house island. While now on hold, the city was planned to run under independent governance, financed through an initial coin offering of its own cryptocurrency, Varyon, by 2022. The island concept featured renewable technologies like solar panels and wind turbines, and will grow much of its food through self-curated aquaculture. While this project has come up against significant civil backlash, the concept of Seasteading is one that will likely be adopted in the near future. Properly harnessed, the Institute claims, ocean aquaculture has the potential to meet humanity’s growing demands for food and energy, and accelerate the arrival of cities and new societies on the ocean frontier. With the intention of serving as an innovation hub to develop new wave energy technologies, floating solar, sea water air conditioning, materials science, algae-based food and fuel, desalination and marine education, there may be a future for these floating cities yet.

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What Inspired You to Become an Environmentalist? I was 9 y.o. when my dad organized a trip to the Space Control Center where I saw the live feed of Earth from the Space Station. At 11 y.o., I saw the Greenpeace TV commercial that showed brave people standing against oil drilling. The animals that were covered in oil from the spills and the dead marine life — made me realize how humans negatively impact the world. I have been fascinated with the natural world since but approached it not from the academic side but from the activism side. Now, I study ecology and circular materials management. What Are the Biggest Challenges in Eco-Friendly Food Production Nowadays? Food affects so many facets of life: from social, like human rights, to public health, environment, and many more. So it seemed to be a multi-dimensional playing field for me to help tackle some of the issues. When I started my first food company in 2012, I was very naive. The willingness to create a 360 sustainable model was the goal, but with every step I took toward it, I was presented with another bottleneck. Despite that, some eco-friendly solutions already existed at the time, and the fragmentation of the industry made it very difficult to connect the dots. Integrating any new sustainable solution within the multi-level, complex supply chain is extremely challenging. How Did You Come Up With the Recipes for the Environmentally-Friendly Snacks ? In 2016, a friend of mine sent me a report by United Nations about pulses and their ability to be the solution to global hunger. In this report, United Nations also proclaimed pulses “The architects of soil health.” So, as an environmentalist, I started looking at the white space and the opportunity to reformulate traditional snacks by adding this healthier crop. What Other Sustainable Initiatives Do You Support in Your Company? The core mission is replacing traditional monocultures that destroy the soil, with soil-nourishing pulses (peas, chickpeas, beans). I haven’t given up on the idea of a 360 sustainable model, and by adding new initiatives, I’m inching closer to it. I started to eliminate all non-recyclable plastic from our packaging and revelry all the supply chain. There are better solutions out there, but we are still working on integrating them into the company. It took a while to find reliable and trusted resources when it came to managing the offsets. Through a verified 3rd party, we get to work with regenerative farmers and put the carbon we produce over the year back into the soil. On top of it, we work with a few non-profits through which we offset our e-commerce shipping by planting trees in the U.S. where the trees are needed the most. So far, we’ve planted our samplings in Oregon state. This year, we are focusing on California. In Your Opinion, Why Are People Not Aware of How Food Production Influences the Environment? Do You Think That Millennials Are More Conscious in That Regard? With digitalization came social media, and we still pontificate on its effects on our brains. I think technology is a tool, and it’s up to a person the way he/she wants to use it. I personally love social media for the way it ripped the curtains of a few industries and let us peek “behind the dark curtains”. Animal agriculture is one of the leading industries that are toxic to the environment, not to mention the extreme cruelty to animals. It’s not common knowledge that animal farming is linked to pollution, deforestation, and the degradation of nature. Someone has to be doing their own research to make these connections. I think millennials are the generation that grew up without Google and social media, but then witnessed the digital explosion and became curious about things. That fed into my own curiosity and “do-your-own-research” mentality. When I was in school, I had to go to public libraries to find answers to some of the things. Now, it's just me and the search engine. Gen Z was practically born with it, and they are equally concerned about the environment and pollution. Do You Believe People Care About the Sustainable Aspects of the Products? In 2020, just less than 2 years after the launch of the company, was featured on Bloomberg national TV and was named as the “The most eco-friendly product” in its category. Unimaginable Bites product line It was unbelievable that without any PR machine behind the brand, the product spoke for itself and was recognized by the media. I believe that people care, they do; it’s just there’s research that shows that when a customer makes a choice, their decision is predominantly swayed towards the cheaper price. So it’s pivotal to keep carving out the space for sustainable products and work with institutions and the policymakers to bring the prices down of the ingredients and raw materials that are for the public good. We need a systems approach to push better products ahead of the conventional ones. Do You Know Other Environmentalist Founders? Do You Collaborate? I know a few, and I empathize with their struggles. Things have gone better since I started: there are more sustainable solutions, pollution and the environment is more on the agenda, which drives the consumer and supplier awareness. During the pandemic, my conversations with other founders became more intimate, we deeply connected on the idea that sustainability is at the top of our priorities. How Do You See the Future of Food Production? The future of food is regenerative, smart, and sustainable. Otherwise, the current system won't be able to sustain another 3 billion people by 2050. I think mega-cities will be getting fresh produce from vertical farms, plant-based proteins will mimic the taste of animal meat 1:1 to address the growing demand for animals, and cell meat agriculture is taking off where meat from a cruelty-free single cell will be grown in bio-rectors. The most important aspect is that the future of food starts with addressing the convenience and price points of healthier, cleaner options. I believe that access to healthy food is a human right, not a privilege. The old food system and colonial mentality clearly disagree with me. Therefore, we need to go against the lobbies of the dirty industries and work with the public sector, governments, and NGOs to reimagine the food system as a whole.

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Help people in need around the world, and support the causes you care about. Make a donation in crypto to a nonprofit. Over the past few years, a few nonprofits have been early adopters and accepted donations in cryptocurrency. was one of the first nonprofits to accept cryptocurrency in 2013, and the was the first major charity in the UK to accept bitcoin donations. Save the Children Royal National Lifeboat Institution began to accept cryptocurrency in 2015, and donors have contributed $106 million since then. Fidelity Charitable It’s also been two years since the was created by an anonymous donor, Pine, as an experiment in cryptocurrency philanthropy. Pine donated 5104 bitcoins, at a value of $55 million, to 60 charities. Their generosity and role in cryptocurrency giving should not be forgotten. Pineapple Fund As cryptocurrency donations continue to grow, more nonprofits across sectors — financial inclusion, environment, education, health, human rights, open-source software, democracy and governance — now accept donations in cryptocurrency. With , I want to raise awareness of the benefits of cryptocurrency giving and showcase the innovative nonprofits that embrace this transformative technology. Donate in Crypto I also hope this project can help ongoing efforts and change the narrative that the use of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are only for illicit activities. The benefits of accepting cryptocurrency donations for nonprofits More nonprofits are beginning to accept donations in cryptocurrency. The potential benefits include: Cryptocurrency donations have lower transaction fees than traditional payment methods. This means more funds can be used for aid. Donations can also be traced from donor to recipient. Lower transaction fees, faster processing times and payment transparency. Cryptocurrencies unlock a new community of donors and give a new generation of supporters the opportunity to help people in need. In a conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Blockchain Capital: A new source of funding. survey Younger demographics are leading in terms of Bitcoin awareness, familiarity, perception, conviction, propensity to purchase, and ownership rates. A nonprofit can position itself as innovative and forward-thinking by accepting donations in crypto, and help increase transparency and trust in philanthropy. Marketing and brand awareness. In crypto, there are no geographic borders. Anyone, anywhere in the world can donate cryptocurrency to support the causes they care about. Crypto also helps nonprofits move money more easily across borders, and in time-sensitive missions, crypto offers faster transfer times than traditional methods. Access to global funding. There are several platforms that nonprofits can use to accept cryptocurrency donations. The most popular platforms are , and . Easy to use platforms. BitPay Coinbase Commerce The Giving Block : Amy Pirozzolo, Fidelity Charitable It is one of the fastest growing assets that we are seeing wanting to be contributed to charity. Many people who own bitcoin or other forms of cryptocurrency do want to be philanthropic. : Stevan W. Gibson, Lupus Foundation of America We recognize the benefit of accepting cryptocurrency and the groundbreaking nature of blockchain technology. With this new capability, we are also looking forward to expanding into accepting more cryptocurrencies as well as how we can leverage blockchain to elevate our impact as we see more individuals and organizations using this technology. : Royal National Lifeboat Institution Bitcoin is an innovative new kind of currency and we believe that accepting Bitcoin will result in donations we may not otherwise receive, as well as connecting us with new types of supporters. : Ettore Rossetti, Save the Children USA We hope that accepting bitcoin demonstrates our willingness to innovate and evolve in order to stay contemporary and to inspire new donors to donate to us who may never had done so before. : Trevor Timm, Freedom of the Press Foundation If cryptocurrencies can lead to more awareness about anti-censorship, and also make it easier for potential supporters to support non-profits like Freedom of the Press Foundation, then I hope many other similar organizations follow suit in the coming months and years. In addition to the benefits of accepting donations in crypto, the use of blockchain, the technology that enables the existence of cryptocurrency, has the potential to transform charitable giving and aid distribution. In the report, , the authors conclude: Blockchain for Social Impact: Moving Beyond the Hype While Blockchain is unlikely to completely disrupt philanthropy and aid in the short term, the potential for it to do so in the long term is very promising. As the existing organizations and initiatives mature and new pilot projects enter the field, blockchain will continue to help drive innovation and transparency in the sector and open up new possibilities for funding models. Over time this could lead to enhanced trust in nonprofits and new mechanisms for giving that result in an increase in funds raised and significant impact on the lives of individual beneficiaries. The benefits of donating cryptocurrency to nonprofits As a donor, there are several potential benefits when you donate in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to a nonprofit. These include: Give crypto directly to a nonprofit, and more of your donation can go to the causes you care about as transaction fees are lower than traditional payment methods, such as by credit card or Paypal. Maximize your impact. In the United States, and many other jurisdictions, cryptocurrency donations are treated as property. This means they are not subject to capital gains tax and are tax deductible. Donate more, pay less in taxes. Most nonprofits offer you the ability to donate crypto anonymously. Support the causes you care about and maintain your privacy. The Pineapple Fund donated more than $55 million worth of bitcoin to charities anonymously. Donate anonymously. Anyone, anywhere in the world can donate crypto to support the causes they care about. Nonprofits accept donations in bitcoin and other digital currencies. Donate across borders. When you donate in crypto, you help promote transparent giving and encourage wider adoption as nonprofits share the benefits of cryptocurrency with their supporters. Most nonprofits have a dedicated page on their website where they educate their supporters on cryptocurrencies and the benefits of cryptocurrency giving. Encourage adoption and transparency. Donate in Crypto: Key findings As more nonprofits now accept cryptocurrency donations, I’d like to share some observations about the organizations that I have featured on . Donate in Crypto Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies All nonprofits accept donations in bitcoin. After bitcoin, ether is the most accepted cryptocurrency followed by Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. 22% of nonprofits only accept bitcoin while 78% accept multiple cryptocurrencies. The most popular include bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and ether. Zcash followed by Monero are the most accepted privacy cryptocurrencies. Most nonprofits also use bitcoin as a marketing term. You will often see Donate with rather than Donate with on their dedicated crypto donation page even though they accept multiple cryptocurrencies. bitcoin cryptocurrency Ease of donating in cryptocurrency Few nonprofits have integrated the ability to accept cryptocurrency donations into their standard donation pages. Instead, you will often find the option to donate in cryptocurrency under the headings , or . Other Ways To Give Frequently Asked Questions Get Involved Unfortunately, this means you may need to spend a few minutes navigating a nonprofit’s website to find out if they accept donations in cryptocurrency. Crypto payment providers Most nonprofits use a third party platform to accept cryptocurrency donations. The most popular platforms include , and . Some nonprofits provide wallet addresses for each currency they support while a few require that you contact them if you want to donate in crypto. BitPay Coinbase Commerce The Giving Block From cryptocurrency to cash Nearly all nonprofits do not hold cryptocurrencies. Through their payment providers, they immediately convert donated cryptocurrencies into fiat money. One notable exception is . GiveCrypto is a nonprofit that distributes cryptocurrency to people living in poverty. GiveCrypto have also announced that it will be able to receive, hold and disburse donations of cryptocurrencies ether and bitcoin, through its newly-established UNICEF Cryptocurrency Fund. UNICEF Globally recognized nonprofits Many of the nonprofits that accept donations in cryptocurrency are well-established organizations that are globally recognized. A few examples include the , , , , and the . American Red Cross Greenpeace Save the Children Human Rights Foundation Wikimedia Foundation Feature: 5 nonprofits that accept donations in cryptocurrency I’d like to take this opportunity to showcase some of the nonprofits that accept donations in cryptocurrency, and the important work that they do. Thorn “Every new platform and new technology could enable an abuser. It can also be our best weapon against them. We are dedicated to ending child sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children. And we won’t stop until every child, can just be a kid.” Team Rubicon “Team Rubicon is a 501©3 nonprofit that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.” Electronic Frontier Foundation “The Electronic Frontier Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world. Founded in 1990, EFF champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development.” GiveCrypto “GiveCrypto’s mission is to financially empower people by distributing cryptocurrency. We’re dedicated to helping people in developing countries gain more control over their economic circumstances. We believe a combination of crypto and an approach rooted in experimenting, iterating, and learning is the way to do it.” Khan Academy “Our mission is to provide a free, world‑class education for anyone, anywhere. Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.” if you’d like to add your nonprofit to , and get your organization in front of the crypto community. Get in touch Donate in Crypto Get involved In addition to giving the gift of crypto, there are many ways that you can get involved and support the causes you care about. - Take action and use your time and talent to create change. - Encourage the nonprofits you support to accept cryptocurrency. Several nonprofits, such as , began to accept donations in crypto due to requests from their community. Charity Navigator - Share this article and to help raise awareness about cryptocurrency giving. Donate in Crypto It may be too early to tell how prolific the growth and adoption of blockchain applications for social impact will be, but our initial catalog and analysis showed that beyond the hype, potentially transformative blockchain applications for social impact are already emerging. — Blockchain for Social Impact: Moving Beyond the Hype While it’s still early days, I’m excited about cryptocurrency and what’s possible as more talented people of all demographics and backgrounds from around the world join forces and leave their mark on this space. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Please consult a tax advisor about the legal or tax consequences of donating in cryptocurrency.

Why and How Nonprofits Can and Should Accept Cryptocurrency Donations 

Why Apple has huge potential in 2019? On January 2nd 2019, Tim Cook published a outlining Apple’s revised financial estimates for Q1. Cook expects revenues to be lower than the original forecast driven predominantly by unexpected macroeconomic factors in China. This revised forecast coupled with a fairly recent announcement that Apple would no longer be providing quarterly unit sales in financial reports spooked investors to the point that it resulted in a 10% drop in share price on Jan 3rd and an abundance of negative press: letter to shareholders “Dow closes down more than 600 points as Apple has its worst day since 2013” — MarketWatch “The iPhone has lost its magic” — CNN “Is This the End of the Age of Apple ?” — New York Times Investors examining only the headlines, stock market reaction and narrowly focussing on Apple’s core product line may be left asking what does Apple have to offer? Quite a lot actually. However to realise Apple’s potential we must move away from our traditional expectations of the company. We must look at the company business model holistically instead of purely focussing in on the shiny products that originally brought Apple success. Brand Matters — Sustainability & Responsability Apple has an incredibly powerful brand driven from an exceptional understanding of customer experience. Apple have always understood how users want to interact with technology, successfully enabling users to achieve their functional goals while also appealing to their aspirational needs and desires. This is demonstrated in every aspect of the customer journey from the TV advertisements to the store experience to the final product. Apple’s understanding of the consumer has led to international dominance which will no doubt be a feature of study in marketing courses for the foreseeable future. In 2018 we saw technology companies embroiled in a number of scandals from to the to the . Apple have remained generally unscathed from controversy this year. When politicians talk about regulating technology companies, you rarely hear Apple portrayed as a baddie — perhaps this is due to Apple’s stance on data privacy which is on the conservative side in comparison to most technology companies. Apple does not intend to use customers data to increase revenue streams — this is most noticeable when you compare Siri and Alexa’s intelligence. Alexa appears significantly smarter but this comes at the cost of storing personal information which Apple choses not to do. In the current climate Apple appears like the responsible big brother trying to do what’s right and respectfully admitting when it’s wrong, this is a rare quality amongst technology companies at the moment. Cook is definitely capitalising on this new image, often one to keep his opinions to himself called out Mark Zuckerberg when asked by a reporter what he would do if he was faced with the problems Zuckerberg is facing: Cambridge Analytica at Facebook walkouts at Google Amazon HQ2 controversy “I wouldn’t be in this situation.” — Tim Cook “We can make a ton of money if customers were our product. We have elected not to do that” — Tim Cook https://www.pexels.com/photo/internet-screen-security-protection-60504/ We shouldn’t underestimate Cook’s strategy on data privacy and responsibility. In the wake of the various scandals relating to Facebook, Amazon and Google consumers are looking for companies that are transparent and will act in their interests. Consumers are increasingly demanding more information on the sustainable and societal impact of companies and their products in the world. The Nielsen group states that “2018 is the year of the sustainable shopper and it’s soon to be the decade of the sustainable shopper” with millennials being the driving force in this change. and millennials are also wiling to pay more for ‘products that have social responsibility claims (80% vs 48%).’ Responsibility and sustainability are set to be driving factors when it comes to consumer purchases in the future. “Millennials are twice as likely (75% vs. 34%) than Baby Boomers to say they are definitely or probably changing their habits to reduce their impact on the environment” Apple have already won half the battle. Their brand recognition and loyal following of fans and press who are willing to try and test any products and/or services released means that Apple can take risks to understand how best to position themselves in the marketplace. We already know Apple can create fantastic and innovative ( yet expensive ) products and services. So if Apple can continue to hone the brand to appeal to the responsible consumer and produce products that this consumer base desires while they still have a strong following then Apple can remain a dominant technology player. Currently there is a huge gap in the market for technology companies that can produce products and services at scale in a responsible manner. Despite consumers disappointment with companies like Amazon because of their , and , Amazon continues to maintain market share. The big tech companies have no competitors who can achieve similar effective customer experience responsibly and these companies rely on customers dependance on convenience and low prices winning out over their conscience. After hearing an increasing number of concerning stories regarding Amazon I decided to try and stop using prime. I have been a loyal user since the service was introduced to me in around 2014 when it was free for students. For years I couldn’t recommend the prime service enough, it was flawless. However this Christmas my conscience won out and I decided I could no longer give money to a company that acted in such an irresponsible manner. I instead used a multitude of services to deliver my Christmas presents. Unfortunately using services other than Amazon was quite frankly an inconvenient and costly experience demonstrating how Amazon manages to maintain customers despite controversy. There is a huge gap in the market for Apple to swoop in and grab market share in areas like this. Apple know how to produce great products and experiences at scale. Apple could fill gaps in the technology market where the conscientious consumer wants to spend a bit more and guarantee the right protocols and processes are being followed. treatment of workers tax payments the HQ2 controversy https://www.pexels.com/photo/air-air-pollution-chimney-city-221000/ Apple are already on track with their approach to the environment. Apple have undertaken a number of initiatives which aim to make their processes environmentally friendly from their office design to reusable packaging. The outlines the steps Apple is taking to achieve this. Apple was even at the top of , a significant improvement from when they scored a 2.7 / 10 in Greenpeace’s first report in 2006. annual environmental report Greenpeace’s greener electronics guide in 2017 Apple is continually thinking about its impact on society from environmental goals, , n stats and . However Apple is also not shy of controversies from reports of to poor . The response from Cook and Job regarding suicides at the Foxconn factory in China has always been particularly alarming especially since they have clear determination to continue manufacturing from there even after multiple reports on the horrible conditions— this could remain a sticking point in their image and perhaps demonstrates it is not entirely possible to produce responsibly at scale. However if Apple could turn a page on the manufacturing scandal in the same way as they have with other controversies and take accountability, Apple could be set to dominate with a new image. However many feel domination could be limited because of the declining sales growth of the core product line, it is inevitable that Apple will need to explore and expand in new areas. If Apple can leverage their existing customer base and beef up their approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility, Apple should be able to easily expand and refine their product line potentially enabling them to become the key brand for the contentious consumer. employee satisfaction impressive job creatio data privacy unpaid taxes quality of life for workers in factories in China that produce the iPhone Let’s explore Apple’s product line to understand potential areas for opportunity: Apple’s Product Line https://www.pexels.com/photo/gold-ipad-pro-beside-gold-aluminum-case-apple-watch-with-gold-sport-band-1470167/ Apple’s existing product line is vast but definitely under utilised. Starting with Beats — what exactly happened there? The beats acquisition garnered huge amount of press, it seemed like it was going to be a game changer. However innovation appears to have dwindled in the Beats space resulting in products that produce tidy revenues around the holiday period but generate little excitement, how long can that last for? The lack of innovation could be down to the success of AirPods which even surprised Apple who are already working on the . Apple definitely understand the headphone business and we shouldn’t snub this aspect of the product line. If Apple can balance its focus between traditional luxe headphones with Beats and innovation with AirPods then headphones could still be a very fruitful revenue stream for Apple. Another outcome of the Beats acquisition was Beats radio — a costly endeavour initiated with Radio 1’s prized DJ Zane Lowe. The radio service is still running however on statistics regarding Beats One which leaves you wondering if it is as successful as they expected or is it time to call it quits and spend the money else where? AirPod’s 2 rumoured to be released this year Apple have been rather tight lipped https://www.pexels.com/photo/apple-apple-watch-equipment-gadget-277406/ 2018 was a successful year for the Apple Watch. We are often sold the narrative that the Apple Watch is a flop but in fact the underdog product is an incredible success. Prices are lower now that we have a few generations of the watch meaning the Apple Watch has become much more accessible to mainstream audiences. It is unlikely the Apple Watch will have sales figures like the iPhone or MacBook but it is still a great product that will help Apple diversify their portfolio and enable further expansion into wearables as well as services that will compliment those wearables. Of course we can’t forget the core product line — iPhones, Macs & Tablets. These products will always provide a significant portion of revenues but with sales growth slowing, Apple will need to look at potential options to offset the poor growth. At the moment I see two options to offset slowing sales — the first is offering an upgrade service as suggested in the media, the second is enabling users to design their own Apple Product. With the core product lines reaching maturity and multiple generations of each product existing, everyone has their own opinions on what the best features are — so why not let consumers design their own Apple product ? If consumers want to keep Apple products for longer why not enable them to create the ultimate individual Apple product to keep ( at least within the realms of technological possibilities). Thinking outside the box of in regards to how users can leverage Apple’s existing products may give Apple the edge they are looking for; As long as they don’t let trying too woo unhappy critics distract from innovation at the company — Apple were quick to announce the release of this year after the backlash from investors in relation to the revised forecast estimates, it appeared the announcement was Apple’s attempt to calm investors. 3 new phones Apple’s Services https://www.pexels.com/photo/administration-articles-bank-black-and-white-261949/ Apple News is one area of the existing product line that has huge potential for subscriptions. Personally I think the news app is under utilised by Apple. I recently got a MacBook and think the news app is great, I can read all my favourite publications in one place as well as receive non intrusive news notifications while I am working on my Mac. Apple consolidates a range of news information in one place to which helps users can gain a balanced outlook on the world. I think it would be great to see Apple come to the forefront of news apps with a product that has so much potential. Currently it is very costly to subscribe to multiple reputable news outlets, if Apple could offer some kind of consolidated package subscription service it could be a huge win in the subscription space. With Apple being an independent party who are managing the consolidation of different reputable news sources this may be a service that will help combat against fake news and appeal to the conscientious consumer. Also with Apple’s access to location based services they could also bring local news reporting to the digital age. There are for sure lot’s of exciting opportunities with this service. Apple Music is a divisive topic because a lot of money was invested into the Apple Music service and it still lags behind their core competitor Spotify. Apple perhaps jumped into the deep end too quickly with the unnecessarily build out of the failing beats radio and costly senior management hiring decisions. However Apple seems to be dedicating resources to this space, they may never catch up to Spotify but they can certainly still have a significant chunk of the pie. https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-girl-silhouette-jogger-40751/ Apple health is perhaps the most exciting area of services that Apple has to offer. Mainly because no major technology companies are significantly focussing their efforts on health and even if they were, would you trust them with your data? Apple is already collaborating with exciting med tech companies and appears to be ahead of the curve in this space. Apple thrives when it can think out of the box and innovate, the health space gives opportunity for this and I am excited to see what happens. Recent reports have shown Apple is in talks to collaborate with Medicare plans to and . Apple definitely have something up their sleeves in the health space, so keep your eyes peeled for development. subsidise Apple watches for at risk seniors Apple’s hiring in the health space is up 400% from 2017 Apple In 2019 https://www.pexels.com/photo/photograph-of-laptop-in-dark-area-986812/ The decline in sales, macroeconomic factors and the increasing magnifying glass from society on technology companies behaviour should be igniting a spark of innovation at Apple. We may not see numbers on the financial reports change significantly in 2019 but we could see a definite change of tone from Apple towards regulation, privacy and innovation, it is likely Apple will show they are exploring new avenues which will garner investor confidence.

Don’t Count Apple Out Yet….

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