Construction has begun on a project dubbed 'Earth's Black Box,' an indestructible recording device intended to serve as a perpetual witness to humanity's actions and their consequences for the planet. Located in a remote airfield in Tasmania, the structure is designed to withstand extreme environmental disasters and potential attacks, according to its creators, Rouser Lab.
Inspired by airplane flight recorders, Earth's Black Box will collect and store data from various sources, including space agencies, weather stations, and universities. The aim is to provide an unbiased historical account for future generations, documenting the progression of climate change and human-induced global disasters. The data will encompass measurements of land and sea temperatures, ocean acidification, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, species extinction rates, land-use changes, human population figures, military spending, and energy consumption.
In addition to scientific data, the device will also record contextual information such as news headlines, social media posts, and reports from significant global events like the Conference of the Parties (COP) climate change meetings. This comprehensive approach is intended to provide a full narrative of the events leading to any potential demise of the planet and to hold future generations accountable.
Initially announced in 2021, the project experienced delays. However, Rouser Lab has confirmed that construction is now underway, with the completed structure slated for installation outside Queenstown, Tasmania, by December of the current year. Jonathan Kneebone, artistic director of Earth's Black Box, stated that the intervening years have been dedicated to evolving the design, data storage systems, material sourcing, and funding models to ensure the project's long-term sustainability.
The completed monolith will measure approximately 52 feet (16 meters) in length and 13 feet (4 meters) in height. Its thick steel walls are built upon 500-million-year-old granite in a location chosen for its geological and political stability. Power will be supplied by 36 glass-encased solar panels, supplemented by thermoelectric generation, ensuring continuous operation long after human presence might cease.
The project, now coordinated by the Earth's Black Box Foundation, a registered charity, has overcome challenges, including the withdrawal of initial scientific partners. The foundation plans to upload all previously collected climate data to the device once construction is finished, initiating its continuous recording. Shane Pitt, mayor of the West Coast council in Tasmania, has noted the project's long gestation and expressed optimism about its potential as a tourist attraction.