To encourage citizens to pollute less, the most commonly used policy is generally to apply fines. Fines for exhaust pipes emitting too many gases, fines for not sorting waste, fines for littering. All of this is absolutely correct, but somewhere in the world, instead of penalties, people are offered rewards to reduce pollution.

What are we talking about?

It’s a brilliant idea, especially considering that the internet has become an essential element in our homes and smartphones. With TreeWifi, Wi-Fi becomes free for everyone when pollution levels decrease.

This is the name of the project by Dutch designer Joris Lam, who has created a series of birdhouses installed on trees to monitor air quality. When the air quality is optimal, these birdhouses activate Wi-Fi hotspots for all residents of Amsterdam.

TreeWifi is a device capable of detecting pollution levels, such as car, truck, and factory emissions, within a 100-meter radius. The data is sent to a server, analyzed, and sent back to the birdhouse with instructions. If the pollution levels are better than the previous day, free Wi-Fi is activated. If the air quality has worsened, the device will provide information on how to improve it.

Anyone who comes across a TreeWifi birdhouse will be able to immediately see the pollution levels in the air. Lam has equipped the birdhouses with LED lights to clearly communicate the results to everyone.

The goal? To raise awareness among citizens about pollution and offer new environmental monitoring systems.

For now, this is just a prototype, but local authorities seem interested. Who knows, maybe soon, the trees of Amsterdam will host innovative birdhouses that provide free internet to the entire city.