Scorched: steering change through entrepreneurship

‘Scorched’ was a project for young people in the New England who are passionate about solving real challenges associated with impacts of bushfire and climate variability to build business and economic resilience.

 

Based in the Armidale Region - which experienced the devastating impact of prolonged drought and bushfires during 2018-2020 - Scorched will boost resilience by creating enterprise solutions with application in the New England North West and beyond.   

Targeted at young people (15-40 years), Scorched provided opportunity for people at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from beginner to experienced entrepreneurs. 

This project was relevant to and allowed for a broad range of industries and sectors to be involved –including agriculture, health, social and community services, criminology, education, building and construction, and IT. Participants were empowered with context, skills, and mentorship throughout the program so that they are equipped to make a real impact.

This project supported the use of innovative technologies (IoT, remote sensing, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, data analytics) to enable new enterprise and startup opportunities. At the same time it worked with, and aimed to help revitalise Cultural and local knowledge of First Nations people and landholders - exploring new and novel ways to build preparedness, mitigation, and response to bushfires.  

When we grow business and technology solutions near the problem, not only are solutions tailored to be functional with a real application, but the adoption process is enhanced and scalable to provide an overall uplift in resilience. 

Timeframe:  Scorched commenced on 1 July 2021 and ran until 30 June 2023.

 

My name is Sewa, and I was delighted to undertake the Startup Activator position for the UNE SRI - marking the commencement of the Scorched Program. I have a background in working with young people and in the youth sector through roles in Local Government, and have a passion for sustainability. As someone with experience forming a start-up , I was so excited to meld my experiences and passions together with this role.

Scorched offered a unique opportunity for young people 15-40yrs to have real world impact on finding climate and bushfire resilience solutions across the New England North West. 

 

Youth Innovation Summit 

Challenge statements

We are seeking motivated individuals, businesses and organisations to help tackle some of the challenges by creating innovative business solutions! 

Pick a challenge area you are interested in exploring and book a meeting with UNE SRI’s Start Up Activator – Sewa Emojong – and start mapping out your journey!

 
  • How might we…

    … get neighbours together talking about local disaster preparedness?

    … utilise technology to connect and gather community together to support and help each other in need?

    … enable sport to continue safely while there is poor air quality?

    … assist people who are struggling in the aftermath of a natural disaster?

    … achieve more balance between involving community in the recovery?

  • How might we…

    … develop a light source that is not reliant on batteries or an external power supply?

    … develop a small, accessible and weatherproof ‘handbook’ that can contain information like emergency numbers?

    … save and reuse quality building materials in times of disaster and make them available to those in need?

    … use second hand materials to make simple and practical furniture at an affordable price for people in need?

    … support community engagement in disaster preparedness?

    … make equipment or clothes available to loan during times of disaster or for emergencies?

    … provide showers, washing machines and kitchens infrastructure to people during emergencies and disasters?

    … prevent volunteer burnout?

  • How might we…

    … ensure there is ample supply of essential food items available in any town/city when they are cut off from external food providers?

    … enable households to access clean (drinkable/usable) water when the town water supply is contaminated or not available?

    … store water and boost water resilience on a household level more efficiently and widespread in communities?

  • How might we…

    … access essential trades for immediate disaster response?

    … prevent/remedy large tree loss during natural disasters?

    … protect houses from ember attack?

    … ensure people have an adequate asset protection zone?

    … manage the land and keep fuel loads low in an effective way that is not so damaging to the land and prevents mega fires?

    … protect crucial documents like birth certificate and passports from being destroyed in times of disaster?

    … enable fires to be fought by something other than humans, and keep fires away from properties?

    ...better utilise Indigenous land management methods in hazard fuel reduction?

    … train people in cultural heritage and traditional land management?

    … create a barrier between people and fires to stop them coming too close?

    … automate sprinkler systems to control and protect against fires?

    … create an instant and portable ‘bubble’ that cold protect all within the bubble from fires outside it?

    … design a machine that stops fires

    … induce rain to extinguish fires?

    … put out/fight large fires as big as greater Sydney more effectively?

    … fast cool and add moisture to an environment to address/mitigate fires or drought?

    … proactively detect and put out a fire before it gets out of control?

    … secure farms and livestock after a disaster?

    … standardised/consistent approach to clean up efforts to avoid unnecessary damage to items?

    … develop an individualised approach to clean up efforts and ensuring safety?

    … enable informed and respectful volunteer assistance to help disaster victims to retain self- determination?

  • How might we…

    … have mental health councillors available and readily accessible for natural disasters?

    … ensure natural disasters don’t exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions?

    … help people be better prepared to assist/support family, friends and housemates dealing with bushfire/disaster induced anxiety?

    … improve the air quality during times of bushfire?

    … help people experiencing mental illness as a result of bushfires and other natural disasters?

    … make schools and other buildings ‘smoke proof’

    … make an effective and affordable wearable air filter with a light environmental footprint?

    … clean smoke-filled air on a large scale?

    … create a weatherproof outdoor air filter for towns that can neutralise the effects of greenhouse gases?

    … create a portable air filter that individuals can use – turning smoky air into healthy clean air?

    … help alleviate anxious thoughts for families during times of disaster and uncertainty?

    … develop a cost effective and efficient means of warming a house that negates the need for woodfire heaters?

  • How might we…

    … effectively get as much wildlife out of harm's way as possible?

    … ensure there is an ample amount of feed readily available during times of natural disaster?

    … ensure feed is used more efficiently so it can go further (not wasted)?

  • How might we…

    … enable telephone networks to utilise any available provider’s infrastructure automatically in times of emergency?

    … have interconnected communication over the UHF network between all emergency services?

    … ensure there is an alternate source of power for AOSL lines/routers when mains power is down?

    … get better predictive tools to use for bushfires and natural disaster?

    … use drones to help us see where the problem is and take action before the fires start?

    … replace fossil fuels to assist with mitigating climate change?

    … use fuel that doesn’t emit harmful chemicals?

  • How might we…

    … ensure evacuation centres are equipped and ready to respond in times of emergency?

    … accommodate evacuees comfortably with technology available?

    … help people prepare for oncoming storm/bushfire seasons?

    … create a place that people can readily gather in times of disaster and emergency that has power and essential supplies/resources?

    … better understand what we can and can’t do in times of natural disaster?

    … attain a risk assessment of properties immediately after a disaster has occurred (including powerlines, glass and mess)?

    … help people get into the mindset to be prepared for next time there is a natural disaster?

    … ensure international students and travellers are prepared and safe during a bushfire emergency?

    … get real-time updates on fire activity and a risk prediction model that factors in terrain and wind direction + speed?

    … warn households of impending fire threat in a similar way to how tsunami warnings are given?

    … educate people about the difference between being safe in a bushfire compared to a house fire?

    … help people devise many bushfire contingency plans so that if one plan fails, they have other options?

    … provide people a safe place to shelter from bushfire if they decide to stay and defend their home?

    … educate people how to live with fire as a part of life?

    … more effectively help people be more fire ready?

    … more effectively predict fires and stop them from coming where they are a danger to life and property?

    … increase the number or effectiveness of fire fighters?

    … address climate change and water security?

    … empower individuals to be more equipped to look after themselves during bushfires and not rely on RFS assistance?

    … use creative mediums to raise bushfire awareness and educate about risk, preparedness and safety more effectively?

    … track fires and stop them before they can get dangerous?

    … create a safe place for people, pets and livestock to shelter from bushfire if they decide to stay and defend their home?

    … create a small portable tool with extinguishing capabilities combined with plans for people to use in an emergency?

    … alternative accommodation be available that would enable people to continue living within their communities?

    … prevent people being stuck inside a house or place?

    … enable people to be more informed ahead of time so they can make informed decisions regarding travel plans?

  • How might we…

    … be better educated in insurance matters that arise during a natural disaster or emergency?

    … learn how to advocate and what is possible in our individual situations?

    … attain a bank loan when there are issues attaining insurance due to natural disasters?

    … attain future insurance for a house that has been impacted by a natural disaster?

    … enable people to keep working through an emergency or natural disaster and not lose income?

    … avoid financial loss if bookings get cancelled due to natural disasters?

Everyone was involved!

Whether you are a community member who would like to have input in the challenge identifying stage of the program, or are an experienced entrepreneur who is looking for an opportunity to help tackle challenges related to climate variability - there is a place for you!

For those not yet experienced in entrepreneurialism, there are capacity building opportunities built into various stages of the program, so please get in touch if you want to make the most of this incredible opportunity!