Futureproof: Preventative Wildfire Seed Globes
Future Narrative
New wildfire seed globes containing water, seeds of plants native to our area, and fruit to support wildlife will be used during this coming fire season. The shell is as hard as a bowling ball until exposed to light or extreme heat. After a few days, the biodegradable material breaks down naturally and becomes more like a gel. Eventually, the globes burst, depositing seeds, water, or fruit on the soil. My friend Jesse, a hotshot in Oregon, said they used them last year. She sent me some photos of seed globes dropped by a drone near a fire break they prepared. They worked remarkably well, and last Spring’s new growth in the burn areas was significant. Seed globes can even be used as emergency drinking water if supplies run low for crews on the line. Overall, it is great to see new wildfire-fighting tools co-existing with the forest while providing safety for wildland firefighting crews and our communities.
Wildfire seed globes can be dropped from drones or larger aircraft to form firebreaks and slow the spread of wildfires.
Within weeks of being exposed to the sun, seed globes break down naturally to deposit water and seeds on soil.
Technology
A dense, impact-resistant, biodegradable shell encapsulating seeds and water that breaks down upon exposure to extreme heat or light over time.
Implications
New ecosensitive wildfire-fighting tools will need to be developed to counter the increasing instances of wildfires accompanied by global warming, lack of electrical grid maintenance, and a lack of responsible forest management.
Related Concepts and Research
This concept is somewhat of an inverse of this idea: education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/drones-shoot-fireballs-help-control-wildfires/
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.