Scott Johnson on Saving Lives with Solar-Powered Technology

Welcome to our latest episode of Trail Blazers. In this episode Johnny chats to Scott Johnson where they will explore innovative solutions that are transforming lives around the world. Today, we'll dive into some critical topics that often go unnoticed but are fundamental to our daily lives.

Kicking off the conversation with VSAT - Very Small Aperture Terminals. We'll break down this concept and explain how it's revolutionising communication in remote areas.

We will also be discussing Telemedicine. Imagine being in an off-grid region and realising the crucial role refrigeration plays in healthcare. It's more than just keeping things cold; it's about saving lives. We’ll explore the importance of refrigeration and how it's a vital part of the healthcare system we often overlook.

Have you ever heard of the "farm to fork" journey? That's the cold chain in action, ensuring that products are preserved at the right temperatures from production to consumption. Now, with solar power, we can maintain these temperatures even in the most remote areas, ensuring vaccines and other essentials are always ready.

We’ll then delve into PCMs (Phase Change Materials) which are specially engineered materials that release their cold over extended periods, providing a stable environment for medical supplies. When medicine works, everyone wins.

We also chat about Solar Infrastructure: Everything on the International Space Station (ISS) is powered by solar energy. There's no extension cord to space, after all! The incredible advancements on the ISS are all thanks to solar panels. Picture the ISS not just as a space station but as an International Sustainability Station.

We can harness this technology to bring education, healthcare, telemedicine, and purified water to remote regions by setting up microgrids. What can we achieve with a microgrid? The possibilities are endless.

Inspired by Scott's mission, we’ll discuss how global health and access are issues of justice. The Power of Telemedicine: Hear the inspiring story of a doctor in Haiti training a woman in a remote village to practise telemedicine. This is about leveraging knowledge and technology to save lives, proving that access and connectivity are justice issues too.

We’ll share a heartbreaking story of how lack of transport can be a matter of life and death. The burden of travel should never be a reason for someone to pass away.

And then onto Solar-Powered Lanterns. We learn about the Solight Lantern – a beacon of hope providing education, safety, and emergency support. Think about the impact these lanterns have on people's lives. We often take light for granted, but for many, these lanterns are lifesaving.

Join us as we delve into these topics and more, shining a light on the incredible innovations and the people behind them, all working towards a more sustainable and just world. Stay tuned and let’s explore how we can all make a difference, one step at a time.