TED: What can save the rainforest? Your used cell phone | Topher White

In 2011, a tourist visiting Borneo's rainforest was struck by its sounds, but missed the crucial noise of illegal logging. Despite having guards, the dense forest masked the sound of chainsaws. The speaker proposed a simple, scalable solution using existing cell phone connectivity to detect chainsaws and alert rangers in real-time. This approach could significantly reduce illegal logging, a major contributor to climate change. Testing in Indonesia proved successful, and the project gained global interest, with people donating old phones to support the initiative.

What was the most significant sound in the Borneo rainforest that went unnoticed by the narrator?

• The calls of Gibbons

• The sound of a chainsaw

• The hornbill's call

• The buzzing of cicadas

What surprising resource was available in the rainforest that could help detect illegal logging?

• Satellite coverage

• Cell phone service

• Internet connectivity

• Electricity

How does the proposed system detect illegal logging in the rainforest?

• By monitoring tree growth

• By using satellite images

• By tracking forest guards

• By listening for chainsaw sounds

What is the main environmental benefit of preventing illegal logging in the rainforest?

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• Increasing biodiversity

• Improving water quality

• Enhancing soil fertility

What was the outcome of testing the system in Indonesia?

• It was too expensive to implement

• It was unable to send alerts

• It successfully detected illegal logging

• It failed to detect any illegal activity

How did people around the world contribute to the rainforest conservation project?

• By donating money

• By sending old cell phones

• By volunteering in the forest

• By providing satellite data

What is the significance of using recycled cell phones in the conservation project?

• They have better connectivity

• They are cost-effective and sustainable

• They are easier to program

• They are more durable