Project-Ark: NFTs, Art, Wildlife and all of the above!
Have you ever wondered if art NFTs could serve a higher purpose? Look no further!
The mission of Project-Ark is to save animals and protect biodiversity through collectibles worth saving. (Here is a really informative guide on NFTs works if this is the first time when you hear the term). We will do so by using the digital scarcity of NFTs to fund concrete projects from reputable organizations that save and protect the wildlife.
Project Ark was launched by Carbonbase, a Greentech start-up based in Hong-Kong that leverages emerging technologies to reduce emissions for individuals and enterprises.
How it all started
The idea for Project Ark emerged in mid-2020, after numerous discussions with conservationists about the worrisome rate at which our animals and vegetation are going extinct. Max Song, the Founder of Carbonbase, had plenty of experience in the blockchain space after working in family office investment portfolio engagement, and after successfully building a blockchain solution for Veolia, one of the largest companies in France, something just clicked. From then on, he put together the concepts of NFT scarcity and the real-life threat of biodiversity, assembled a team around it and that’s how Project Ark was born.
We truly believe that outside of the crypto space, people that can afford to do more have the potential to use their accumulated wealth to make a real impact in the real world. It’s mind-boggling to think about the $882 Billion in wealth accumulated via crypto that just sits in the wallets of more than 60 million individuals and organizations. Blockchain technology offers countless opportunities for solutions to emerge that have the potential to help heal the planet and bring a real change in the face of the biggest threats that humanity is facing.
“For those that understand the profound implications of blockchain technology, there is no turning back “ Joseph Lubin -Founder and CEO @Consenys.
Team
We have an international team that spans two continents and four countries. Each and every one of us believes that even though the challenge is immense, much like David against Goliath, fortune favours the bold and we will build and showcase something worthwhile.
Our team’s commitment is stronger than ever, especially considering that our generation and the ones that come after us will be the most affected if the status quo does not change.
The first attempt is always challenging
We started from scratch and have chosen to build an Amur Leopard NFT for our pilot project. In the wilderness, there are only around 84 of this species left (according to WWF’s data), and considering its fearless appeal and the availability in data, we thought it was a good starting point.
After more research into its origins, the only part of the world where the Amur Leopard is seen in the wild is a state-owned controlled area in the Siberian forest. This made it almost impossible to establish a collaboration with the community on the ground, and thus we halted the process of connecting our initial idea of exact endangered animals with minted NFTs.
Despite all this, the Amur Leopard projects remains a valuable learning point and served us well in building the functionalities of the smart contract and token transfer.
Big partner coming up
With the platform built and a functioning smart contract that incorporates our purpose and vision, we managed to attract the interest of a global known conservation organization. Our visions align really well, our MVPs work together marvellously, and we decided to partner up and provide a real use case for the NFTs, with different designs and innovative functions. We will release more about this in the near future.
Guiding principles for the project
Motivated to explore useful study cases for blockchain, the following are our guiding principles for Project-Ark:
- Clear Goal-based NFTs: We will make sure that we choose initiatives with clear goals and timespans in mind.
- Win-Win It’s important that everybody who participates in the project has something to gain and that the incentives put in place advance conservation goals
- Transparency: Showing from the beginning what is the project, what is the goal, and where does the money go.
- Art NFts: We will strive to offer the most appealing digital collectibles through collaborations with artists that are willing to dedicate their time and talent to a good cause.
- Innovative: We will test, implement and change things that don’t work while keeping the things that do, as the road of NFTs is full of surprises, challenges, and unknowns.
Conclusion
With our hearts set on using NFTs for good causes, a strong team, and like-minded partners, we endeavour forward with Project Ark through the uncharted waters of NFTs, to become a tide for change, and to bring more financial power to the protection of the animal kingdom.
You can find more on the following channels:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectArk5
