Carbon capture? Check. Electric vehicles? Check. A veritable smorgasbord of strategies are being deployed in our planetary rescue mission. The wealthiest nations and the mightiest corporations have all pledged their support for Earth. Global treaties have been put in place to protect it.
But the MVP of climate change may be a dark horse — Artificial Intelligence (AI).
AI: An Unlikely Ally
So far, AI’s disruption in transportation, automation, and creative work has grabbed all the headlines and stolen all the limelight. But its contribution in tackling climate change may be the most impactful of all.
The 2022 BCG Climate AI Survey reports that 87% of climate and AI leaders, from both public and private sectors, consider the former not just a nice-to-have but a gotta-have to address global warming at scale. AI can help us mitigate the impact of climate change and adapt to it — by improving energy efficiency; lowering emissions from industry, agriculture, and transportation; enhancing our capacity to forecast catastrophic weather occurrences; and powering decision-support tools to aid in more effective response.
The Global Warming Showdown
In the battle against global warming, AI has the potential to make a significant impact in three key areas: mitigation, removal, and reduction. One of the most immediate and devastating consequences of the climate crisis is extreme weather events. The doomsday triad of hurricanes, floods, and droughts is wreaking havoc more frequently and severely than ever, damaging infrastructure, livelihoods, and lives. AI can be used to mitigate the impact of some of these eventualities.
By predicting these events, AI allows governments and organizations to better brace for impact and respond more effectively. Google’s Flood Forecasting Initiative, for instance, uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data from weather satellites, ground sensors, and historical flooding events and predict where floods are likely to occur and how severe they will be. This vital intel can guide evacuations and resource deployment to the areas most at risk.
AI allows governments and organizations to better brace for impact and respond more effectively.
Currently, toxic waste contributes significantly to global warming. Plastic waste has become synonymous with climate change, and for good reason. AI can help in the efforts to remove toxic substances from the environment. The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization, is already harnessing the power of AI remove trash from the seas and give them a much-needed detox. Their ambitious goal is to “remove 90% of floating ocean plastic by 2040.” Using AI-powered object detection tech, they’re able to monitor floating macroplastic trash, a major upgrade over human data collection and on-site observation for plastic detection and removal. By making it simpler to map the plastic in our oceans and plastic hotspots, AI enables companies like The Ocean Cleanup to channel their cleanup efforts where they are most needed.
Finally, AI also acts as a carbon cop, helping environmental scientists reduce emissions that further fan the flames of global warming. AI-based solutions can facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources. For instance, through solar energy supply forecasting, AI can help us identify regions that are ripe for increased solar energy consumption, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Additionally, corporations can reduce their emissions by leveraging AI to optimize their supply chains through better demand forecasting and effective product transportation.
According to a BCG report, “AI can be used to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to 5% to 10% of an organization’s carbon footprint, or a total 2.6 to 5.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide if solutions are implemented at a global level.”
What Next for Planet Earth?
Despite its exciting potential, AI is not a magic bullet for climate challenge. Much of the fight against climate change relies heavily on the willingness of policy- and decision-makers to make relevant policies, take timely action, and implement the changes required. This also applies to the degree to which the potential of AI can translate into benefits on the ground.
The AI-powered resources currently battling climate change remain fragmented, elusive, and costly to scale. Whether they’re for businesses, governments, or the average Joe, AI solutions need to be user-friendly to guarantee mass adoption. Simplicity, real-world advantages, and clear information are the keys to unlocking user behavior.
While AI’s application in the realm of climate crisis is still nascent, the solutions already in place have shown significant promise that AI can help us build a more resilient future. With the early strides we’re seeing from these solutions, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. For us, and for Mother Earth.
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Written by: Nimesh Bansal
