Press Conference with EarthSama.com Co-Founder Uynghiem Ngo and Founding member of the Black Eyed Peas Apl.de.ap

Cultivating Change: Apl.de.ap and Earth Sama’s AI-Powered Reforestation and Carbon Credit Initiative

Mr. Apl.de.ap, a Grammy-winning artist from the Black Eyed Peas, shared his journey from farming in the Philippines to global music stardom. He is now dedicated to uplifting farmers in his homeland, drawing on his personal experience of growing up in poverty. This initiative represents a full-circle return to his agricultural roots, aiming to create significant positive change for his community.

The artist is spearheading the Philippines’ largest tree planting project, targeting 380 million trees. This ambitious endeavor seeks to alleviate poverty among farmers and elevate them to middle-class status. Mr. Uynghiem Ngo, Co-Founder of Earth Sama, detailed their crucial role, developing edge AI tools to support farmers across the Philippines’ 7,000 islands and “last mile communities.”

The Philippines project is envisioned as a global model, demonstrating how technology can connect and empower underserved communities worldwide, fostering climate resilience and economic stability. Mr. Apl.de.ap’s commitment deepened during the pandemic after learning about global soil degradation. Recognizing this environmental threat, he sought technological solutions to make a tangible impact on soil health.

His research led him to biochar, an organic soil amendment produced through the pyrolysis of biomass like coconut husks and banana stalks. Biochar acts as a natural fertilizer, regenerating soil and offering farmers an additional income stream by converting agricultural waste into this valuable “black gold.” This innovation addresses both environmental and economic challenges.

Mr. Ngo recounted Earth Sama’s partnership with Mr. Apl.de.ap, aligning their remote tree tracking technology with the artist’s vision. Advanced AI addresses communication barriers, like the Philippines’ over 1,000 dialects, with an app designed for voice interaction and offline use. This initiative aims to capture the full value of coconut products, positioning the Philippines globally by streamlining compliance and reducing middlemen.

The project integrates carbon removal and credit mechanisms. Earth Sama collaborates with the Philippine government on an ITMO (Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcome) under Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. This framework, soon operational, allows countries to purchase fungible carbon credits from the Philippines without complex bilateral agreements, supporting a million hectares of land.

Mr. Apl.de.ap plans a province tour to involve youth, leveraging their tech-savviness to help farmers with the app and create content. He envisions a mentorship program where young people learn about biochar, mycelium, and making music from soil vibrations. This blend of agriculture, technology, and music aims to inspire a new generation of farmers.

He is actively working on a jingle about coconuts, aiming to make the topic engaging and “cool.” This creative approach, combining his musical background with environmental advocacy, seeks to popularize farming and the project’s goals among a wider audience, including the youth, ultimately making agriculture appealing again.