YML, a Silicon Valley-based digital agency, today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind NFT project to restore California forests. Called FIREWATCH, the project aims to prevent wildfires and promote reforestation in California. What’s more, all proceeds will go to One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization dedicated to global reforestation. The organisation will use the funds to support wildfire prevention and conservation.
Here’s all you need to know about the sustainable NFT project from YML:
Help restore California forests with FIREWATCH NFTs.
FIREWATCH: What is the YML NFT project?
FIREWATCH is a sustainable NFT project from the YML digital agency. Essentially, the project allows users to purchase a “carbon-neutral pop art NFT cross-section footprint of the California landscape”. To explain, each NFT represents a piece of the California landscape. In other words, collectors will get to own the digital art for a region of California.
Based on the region, the NFTs are available in four tiers, with the prices varying from $100 to $100,000. YML will use all the funds from the sales to rebuild and protect the California forests from fires. This will happen through One Tree Planted, which will get all the primary sales proceeds as well as 25% of secondary sales.
“We all have a role to play in protecting the environment and combating climate change, and we admire YML’s dedication to being an innovative force for good,” said Matt Hill, Founder & Chief Environmental Evangelist at One Tree Planted. “With YML’s support, we’re restoring areas across California that have been degraded by wildfires, as well as protecting California’s forests from future fires with innovative forest fire prevention projects.”
This project comes at a time when California has recorded the highest number of wildfires in 2020 and 2021. The wildfires have resulted in over 4 million acres being burned in the state. Furthermore, climate scientists are predicting a 50% increase in wildfires by 2050. Under these circumstances, YML is hoping to raise over $1 million in funds to aid fire prevention and restoration projects across the state.
You will get to own a cross-section footprint of the California landscape.
Why YML is using the Solana blockchain
For its FIREWATCH NFT project, YML is using the eco-friendly Solana blockchain. Typically, NFT transactions consume 340 kilowatt hours of energy, which is equivalent to over one-third of the energy an American home consumes in a month. As opposed, Solana NFT transactions take up only less energy than three Google searches.
“It’s exciting to see FIREWATCH utilize NFTs on Solana to mobilize community and action around climate change,” said Amira Valliani, policy lead at the Solana Foundation. “NFTs are becoming an increasingly popular way for communities to come together around shared causes. Solana’s advantages as an eco-friendly, low cost chain make it an excellent home for projects like these.”
The FIREWATCH NFTs are now live at firewatch.fund. Users can purchase NFTs in four tiers, at prices $100, $500, $3,000, and $100,000.
