In terms of resilient innovation at the grassroots level, Bangladesh relies on hundreds of individuals—rather than scientists—to monitor water levels in rivers, streams, and reservoirs throughout the country. The system alerts people before the floodwaters arrive, allowing them to get out of danger. This effective human communication chain relies on high-tech forecasting and low-tech relationships.
So what?
The government recently signed a deal with Google to expand this service. According to NPR, Saleemul Huq, director of the Bangladesh-based International Centre for Climate Change and Development, said, “I tell my American friends, ‘You should send your sceptics to Bangladesh!’ We have gone through the doom and gloom phase. Now, it’s all about solutions.
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