Starting with a rocky inception, the internet underwent a transformative journey, revolutionizing modern life. Bitcoin, and consequently blockchain, emerged quietly onto the scene. Today, blockchain technology is a defining term, sharing the spotlight with cryptocurrencies. The buzz around it is steadily growing. But what lies beneath this excitement? Enthusiasts believe that blockchain holds the potential to reshape financial systems and even shift global power dynamics. On the flip side, some are concerned about its environmental impact, suggesting it might accelerate climate change. In this article, we’ll explore the potential uses of blockchain technology for social good, as well as some of the recent and upcoming uses, obstacles, and prospects.

What’s Blockchain?

Blockchain is a technology that makes it possible to create and exchange decentralized, transparent, and safe digital records. Blockchain technology is allowing organizations around the world to create the powerful rails that the sharing economy of the future will run on. Why? Because it offers unparalleled transparency, security, and decentralization, ensuring trust and efficiency in peer-to-peer transactions.

Blockchain technology can be described as a digital database system that records and shares transactional data. This data is safeguarded through cryptographic measures and is overseen through a consensus among the participants within the system. Essentially, a blockchain is a secure digital ledger where transactions are organized into blocks that interconnect to form a chain. What makes this emerging technology trustworthy is that past data cannot be altered without the unanimous consent of all network participants. As articulated by some blockchain experts, blockchain technology is synonymous with accuracy and trustworthiness, and it operates under secure algorithms.

Blockchain’s advantages for social good.

Blockchain technology has a lot to offer society in terms of benefits. It can lower expenses and the need for middlemen in transactions like microfinance, donations, and remittances.

▪️It can increase trust and accountability in data and processes, such as identity verification, voting, and supply chain management.

▪ It can empower marginalized and underserved communities with access to financial services, information, and opportunities.

▪️It can also boost accountability and trust in data and procedures including supply chain management, voting, and identity verification.

▪️Giving underrepresented and underprivileged groups access to financial services, knowledge, and opportunities, may empower them. It can also encourage cooperation and creativity among various stakeholders, including corporations, governments, nonprofits, etc.

Examples of blockchain initiatives that have sprouted social impact/good amidst communities include;

BanQu, is a platform that gives refugees and low-income people digital identities and economic prospects.

An organization called BitGive uses blockchain technology to increase the efficiency and transparency of philanthropic donations and humanitarian help.

A cryptocurrency called SolarCoin incentivizes solar energy providers and promotes the use of sustainable energy sources.

AgriLedger is a blockchain-based initiative that aims to decrease food theft and waste while enhancing the lives of smallholder farmers. Republic of Earth is a platform that makes use of blockchain technology to facilitate safe and interactive digital democracy etc.

Blockchain’s obstacles to social good Blockchain has several drawbacks and is not a panacea for social problems.

These include performance and scalability limitations, which include slow transaction speeds which are mostly limited to some chains, high energy costs, and network congestion. The absence of precise and unified guidelines and standards for blockchain-based products and services contributes to additional regulatory and legal confusion. In addition, blockchain presents moral and social conundrums that could lead to inadvertent outcomes or bad individuals abusing their authority, privacy, or data. Finally, a lack of knowledge and awareness prevents the broader population from comprehending and utilizing blockchain technology.

Blockchain’s potential for social benefit

Although blockchain technology is still in its early stages of development, it has a lot of potential for social good.

Blockchain technology can be used by business models and social enterprises to generate value and influence, as well as by dispersed and varied groups to cooperate and jointly develop solutions.

Blockchain can also be used to investigate novel applications and tackle challenging environmental and social issues.

Finally, blockchain-based multidisciplinary research and policy can help with governance and decision-making. Blockchain technology can improve the world, but its development and application need to be done ethically.

Blockchain’s potential for social good depends on how we use it, who we involve, and what our goals are. To guarantee this, it’s critical to promote an environment that values experimentation and learning, enabling blockchain-based solutions to be tested, refined, and lessons from both mistakes and achievements.

To encourage knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices among blockchain practitioners and experts, we need also to establish a community of practice and discourse.

To steer the ethical and social consequences of blockchain technology for the benefit of society, a framework of values and principles should be developed.