Abstract
While most nations concur with the United Nations prediction that we face mass extinctions, flooding, and other catastrophic damage unless we reduce global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius within the next decade, the developing nations are insisting that they should be allowed to give priority to economic growth and development over fighting global warming. Shyam Saran, an Indian policy scientist, champions this position but points out we can accomplish both the aims of development and fighting global warming by establishing a global technology platform to share planet friendly technology with the less developed nations. Many technologies could be shared in this way (e.g., making concrete in planet-friendly ways and manufacturing hydrogen-fueled trains). This article explores how the impoverished nation of Malagasy (better known as Madagascar) could grow its economy by using blockchain in the production of vanilla while also reducing the amount of carbon added to the atmosphere.
TopMain Focus
This paper inquires whether it is cost effective to apply blockchain technology to vanilla production in the island nation of Malagasy (more familiarly known as Madagascar), one of the most impoverished countries of the world. (In 2012, according to the C.I.A. World Factbook, Madagascar ranked 178 out of 188 entities [nation states for the most part] on the G.D.P. per capita, a standard measure used in macroeconomics.
Although more will be said about blockchain below, here it is useful to note a blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the network of computer systems of stakeholders. Before diving into the case study of blockchain technology applied to vanilla production in Madagascar, however, it is useful to address the question of what is the strategy we need to use to partner with developing nations in the fight against global warming?
Key Terms in this Chapter
Cost Effective: In healthcare management science it refers to a form of management ensuring the maximization of the benefits that can be obtained from the resources allocated to health and the reduction of costs. Generally, it refers to the achievement of desirable outcomes of a process (e.g., the process achieves intended and/or unintended results that can be quantified in monetary terms and this occurs at a cost that is minimized compared to alternative process for achieving comparable results).
Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD): Any of several computer assisted technologies used in medicine to achieve more rapid diagnosis of an illness such as cancer. Some of these systems work by producing tentative diagnoses after specific diagnostic information inputted to the system. They then offer all the diagnoses that fit that information and invite the physician to offer additional pivotal information to winnow the list. This process is iterative until just one or a few possible diagnoses remain. Other systems built around imaging may be used to “detect earliest signs of abnormality” that would be impossible for a human professional is unable to spot without this assistance. Examples are symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, and non-polypoid lesions in CT colonography.
Parallel Testing: The process of running multiple test cases on multiple combinations of operating systems and browsers at the same time. The process may be automated and often runs on virtual machines. In general, this is a process of experimentally validating a new procedure (nowadays usually computerized) against a current standard procedure (which may be an earlier computerized or partially computerized process to determine if the new procedure is better on some policy relevant variable. For example, it may be evaluated as to speed, cost, error rate or some combination of these if relevant.
Blockchain: The term for a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or even impossible to change back or cheat the system. A block chain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the network of computer systems on the block chain. Because all parties involved in the production and distribution of the goods or services see every transaction simultaneously, not only is system integrity enhanced, so is speed of movement, facilitating planning based on estimates of costs of inputs and profit targets, etc.
Aerotropolis: A planned city incorporating an international hub airport and linked by rapid ground transportation to nearby urban areas. It is distinguished from a quasi-aerotropolis which is an international hub airport linked to one or more large densely populated urban agglomerations by rapid ground transport in that the urban agglomerations preceded the airport and have been retrofitted to link to the airport. Schiphol in the Netherlands is an aerotropolis whereas New York City, which is linked to JFK International Airport and Newark International Airport by rapid ground transportation is a quasi-aerotropolis.
Global Technology Platform: A list of high technologies maintained by an international organization and accessible to any country that is a member of the United Nations and approved by the list maintenance organization to access this technology. Once a country is approved to use the technology, it can retain a suitable service provider to implement the technology and parallel test it if appropriate. Furthermore, the country may qualify for financial aid in whole or in part from the United States or for low-cost financing. Technologies available on the platform must be planet friendly and for use only to grow the economy or other legitimate use such improving health, life expectancy, increasing literacy, or advancing the rights or wellbeing of people in a country who are currently deprived of rights others enjoy or have a lower qualify of life than others, etc. Transfer of technology that can be used both for military and non-military purposes must include safeguards to prevent its application for military purposes.