PlanetWatch- the French start-up using Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Technology to improve global air quality.

Who are they?

PlanetWatch are a company which leverages the power of technology to engage local communities to join in the fight against climate change. By rewarding citizens who operate PlanetWatch sensors with tokens for the data streams they produce, the company is encouraging communities around the world to raise their standards of environmental monitoring and air quality.

How it works:

PlanetWatch are building a global network of outdoor/indoor air quality sensors (IoT devices) which can be installed and operated by local residents. There are four types of sensors. These devices form part of a distributed network which produce datasets built from the data streams that each sensor generates. These data streams are then sent back to the PlanetWatch Cloud Platform to be approved. The owners of these sensors who can produce valid data streams are then rewarded via tokens called ‘Planet Tokens’ (or PLANET). So, quite literally: ‘Sensing is Mining’. The company have partnered with Algorand, an energy-efficient and secure blockchain, to facilitate token distribution and governance.

• 30% of the reward goes to Sensor Owners
• 30% of the reward goes to Planet Watch
• 30% of the reward goes to Infrastructure Providers
• 10% remaining goes towards development of the Fund

What problem do they tackle?

PlanetWatch aims to tackle problems related to poor air quality and pollution. Recent studies suggest that poor air quality could play a role in spreading and worsening the severity of COVID-19. It is also estimated that outdoor air pollution accounts for 4.2 million deaths per year due to lung cancer, strokes, heart diseases and chronic respiratory illnesses. Indoor air pollution is also an issue in hotels, hospitals, schools and workplaces; and one of the leading causes of disease and premature death. PlanetWatch hope to provide risk mitigation solutions to these problems.

Could this be a step towards the formation of sustainable smart cities which place human welfare and health at the centre of architectural design?