We are searching for topics and funders for the next Longitude Prize. This idea is a draft for discussion about one possible prize focus that we are exploring.
What is the problem? Land use such as farming has large impacts on ecosystems, particularly rivers and lakes. Current water management is reactive and siloed, detecting pollution like phosphate spikes only after contamination occurs. Conventional sensors miss the fast-moving window between soil saturation and river contamination. Why does the solution contribute to solving this? By integrating soil health metrics and intelligent resource networks, the system helps to predict impending cascades so that we can decide how and when to adjust farming practices, shifting water quality management from disaster response to proactive prevention. Such a system would trigger early messaging to farmers, automate insurance or subsidy payments and create both the information and incentives needed to make changes. Who is the prize awarded to? Awarded to the team that develops an intelligent network of sensors, data and software that can monitor, proactively manage and prevent land and water pollution linked to land use, through providing dramatically earlier warning of pollution incidents. Check out the other ideas
The best prize ideas are developed through extensive research and engagement with experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience of the problems they are focused on. We start with a first draft like the one above – then work to improve, refine and validate our thinking. If you are interested in sharing your expertise, or helping us secure funding for the next Longitude Prize, please reach out.