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Eleventh-grader Ethan Wilk, a BASIS Scottsdale student, is a name to remember as he makes his mark on eradicating the effects of endangered species.
A few years ago, he worked with Arizona State University professors and local organizations, developing a blockchain-based technology to gain insight about the living conditions of endangered fish in the area, potentially reducing the causes of extinction.
Describing himself as Asian-American --- half Korean and half Czech --- he has inspired more than 200 volunteers, 30 from his own high school, to get involved with his environmental endeavors.
“I’m looking to partner now with local forest committees and recreation communities to provide volunteers and potentially spread awareness for my cause as well,” said Ethan, 17.
He respects the work of fellow 17-year-old and Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and wants to be viewed in a similar light with his efforts through a “less candid tone.”
“While I believe cutting to the point is critical in our world with such crises unfolding, I also believe that organizations will only truly begin to understand the need for this change if approached with a more Rogerian tone,” he said.
“I think that Greta’s work, while more oriented toward multilateral climate change reduction, is phenomenal, especially for someone her age. As a fellow teenager, her nationwide strikes and recognition that have received global attention inspires me.”
From running his organization to being the captain of his school’s varsity track team, Ethan makes time for his passion and interest in investing and entrepreneurship, which lead him to start an organization.
Plus, he started the Investing and Entrepreneurship Club at his school, calling it the “largest” club there.
In his free time, he programs websites and uses leadership opportunities to spread his message to the student body and the public, he said, noting a research paper that he authored on the applications of blockchain to mitigate fishing in the Asian Pacific for his Advanced Placement Seminar class.
Adding that the “marine community is the most endangered form of species in Arizona,” he explained his efforts to use technology within bodies of water while encouraging people to see his new website at thexeniaproject.org during an interview with the Independent.
Here’s how he detailed his vision:
• What exactly is your cause in regards to the marine endangered species in Arizona?
My organization aims to use blockchain technology to gain insight into why these marine species are disappearing so we can better situate efforts and funds to preserve them.
• How does blockchain based-technology relate to marine life?
Blockchain-based technology was originally implemented to govern the Bitcoin network. In essence, the network was built to promote decentralization and transparency in an effort to create a currency to prevent complications like the 2008 housing market crash (caused by shady practices from centralized institutions).
This framework, while initially developed to maintain a financial system, can be applied to many other industries, like supply chains and agricultural watering.
• Describe your efforts in using technology to save waters?
My project aims to apply the decentralized, transparent nature of blockchain technology to one of our shadiest industries: fishing.
The blockchain can provide us with new insights into why fish are going extinct at alarming rates, delivering data publicly and transparently, to eliminate any illegal fishing operations or potential meddling with data.
Essentially, the blockchain provides useful insight without any possibility of meddling with data, allowing us to investigate a shady and complicated industry, reducing threats to the marine environment.
• Why is it important to address the causes of extinction?
It is important to address these causes of extinction because they are occurring at alarming rates particularly in Arizona, but not many organizations are tackling the issue. As Arizona is situated in a desert, there is a widespread belief that the marine environment is not of concern.
However, reports show that Arizona’s most endangered type of species are those in the water. We have a number of unique marine species like our variety of Chubs and Apache trout. It is of the utmost importance that we bring awareness to this unlikely issue before we lose the opportunity to do so.
• What do you aspire to be?
In the future, I aspire to use technology to save our environment at a larger scale. Ideally, the biodiversity in countries like Australia fascinates me and I would love to investigate the potential of STEM applications in preserving such wildlife.
Starting my media career in 1994, rumor had it that newspapers would not exist much longer. Years later, the newspaper is still around and so is my passion for storytelling and capturing life’s moments for the community.
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