Paul G. Allen: Tackling the World’s Hardest Problems with Technology and Better, Faster Data

Art MinVice President, ImpactVulcan Inc., A Paul G. Allen Company

Paul’s network:

Translating his vision for positive change into impact.

Engines for impact from across Paul’s network:

What are the world’s hardest problems?

How can we use technology and science to help solve those problems?

Our approach to creating impact:

New kinds of conservation technology

Better, faster data

Policy and partnerships

Storytelling

CLIMATEOur climate is on an unsustainable path. We must change its trajectory.

Deep Ocean ProfilingTo better understand the threats facing our oceans, Paul Allen and NOAA are deploying deep Argo floats down to 6,000 meters off coast of Brazil.

Polar Ice Sheet Robotic ExplorationPartnering with the University of Washington on under-water gliders to collect oceanic observations on ice-shelf conditions and potential sea level rise.

Catalyzing Cities: The Smart City ChallengePartnering with U.S. Department of Transportation to attack the #1 CO2 emitter – transportation – by electrifying a city’s transportation fleet and paving the way for scalable adoption.

OCEANS

Our oceans produce half the oxygen we breath, 80 percent of life on earth, 16 percent of our planet’s animal protein, and $2.5 trillion in annual commerce. But threats like climate change and the crisis of overfishing have put our oceans on an unsustainable path.

Global FinPrintCollaborating with Florida International University, supported the first-ever survey of sharks and rays in coral reef ecosystems to provide critical baseline and trend data in more than 400 locations.

Sea Around UsWith the University of British Columbia, we’re bringing the most respected reconstructed estimates of unreported fishing to decision makers across the globe.

Better, Faster Data to Fight Illegal Fishing: SkylightWe’re building a platform to better understand what’s happening on our oceans and produce more actionable intelligence.The goal: Healthier oceans.

Human-Assisted Evolution of Coral ResearchLed by researchers at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, we are using human assisted evolution to develop stocks of reef corals bred to be resilient to changing ocean conditions

“50 Reefs” Global Coral Reef Action AgendaPartnering with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Tiffany & Co. Foundation to identify the top 50 key reef system and conservation strategies to protect them before reefs become extinct.

WILDLIFE

Much of our wildlife and biodiversity is threatened with extinction. By marrying technology development, storytelling, and policy change, we are working to protect keystone species and entire ecosystems.

Great Elephant Census

The first continent-wide aerial survey of African savanna elephants. Results showed a 30 percent decline in elephant populations over seven years due in most part to poaching. This data was key in new policies being implemented to protect this iconic species.

Domain Awareness SystemResponding to the elephant poaching crisis, we created a new technology platform to protect this iconic species. With potential applications for additional species protection, this real-time snapshot of protected area management has been called a “game changer.”

- Paul G. Allen

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to find my own challenges, see them through to fruition – change the

world for the better."

Thank you.

Stay updated on our work atPaulAllen.com