If humanity fails to cut its carbon emissions by half in 2030, we are doomed to face climate catastrophe, at least according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Many experts say we’ve already crossed the threshold and we’ve already run out of time, but there are others who say the goal is still achievable.
Regardless, governments, organizations, and industries worldwide have been scrambling to make substantial changes to their operations to cut emissions and possibly save the planet.
Among the primary weapons of humanity in the fight against climate change is technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) is arguably one of the most critical. From providing climate predictions to planning how to allocate renewable energy, AI is a powerful tool that allows us to achieve so much more.
The problem with AI
You don’t have to look hard to see how AI can help in efforts to fight climate change. It’s a powerful and versatile tool that can potentially end the climate crisis, if not solve all the problems of our civilization. But it’s important not to see it as a silver bullet. Just like everything else, it isn’t perfect. AI, especially the most advanced, requires a lot of computing power to run.
AI demands a lot of energy — the very resource we are trying to conserve as we navigate our way to a sustainable future. A large carbon footprint is a prerequisite if we are to use AI to its fullest extent. If this is the case, then AI becomes another contributor to the problem. The challenge today is to develop technologies that can support AI or make AI technology significantly more efficient in power consumption.
Despite the problem with AI, it remains among the best tools we have in averting climate catastrophe. AI in its current state has already brought us closer than we ever did to a net-zero emissions future.
AI in transportation
1. Land
The future of land transportation is self-driving, fully electric vehicles, and those are only possible with AI. Presently, only a fraction of wealthy people has the luxury of using self-driving cars. But once self-driving cars become cheap and accessible to the general public, they will eventually replace today’s cars.
These AI-powered cars both use clean energy and use it efficiently as they can determine the most optimal route every time they’re on the road. Today, an electric car using a top-end battery can emit 83% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than petrol. Even the cheapest battery still emits 37% less CO2.
2. Air
In the aviation sector, AI is already revolutionizing everything. Air traffic control and flight management systems have become significantly more effective and efficient with the help of AI. Hence, AI is making air transport more sustainable. However, battery technology can only be seen in smaller planes today.
3. Ocean
As for ocean transport, there have been large strides in fully-automated and fully electric ships. In the first half of 2022, the Yara Birkeland, a 3200-ton Norwegian cargo ship, became the first fully electric and fully automated ship to complete a voyage. The crewless electric ship produces zero emission thanks to its electrical propulsion and battery system.
AI in meteorology
Climate change directly affects weather conditions worldwide. It is by analyzing the changes in weather patterns that scientists are able to make climate change predictions.
It is also with the help of AI that meteorologists are able to make accurate weather forecasts. As extreme weather conditions become more common due to climate change, experts will be more reliant on AI to be consistently accurate.
AI in agriculture
Poor resource management is a big problem in agriculture. Around 40% of the freshwater used in farms is wasted. However, AI-powered technology such as smart irrigation allows farmers to better optimize how they use water.
The use of other farming resources such as fertilizer can also be optimized with the help of AI. Furthermore, AI can help farmers determine the best seasons to plant crops, leading to increased yield and less waste.
AI in manufacturing
AI’s role in corporate sustainability is becoming bigger and bigger, especially in the manufacturing industry. Businesses, particularly manufacturers, are always looking for ways to improve production efficiency, reduce waste, minimize risks, and save money. They must rely on AI technology to achieve those goals.
Primarily, manufacturers use AI to automate entire production lines. There are world-class factories in the world that are fully operated by robots seven days a week. Automated factories consume much less energy, operate more efficiently, and produce less waste — leading to a much smaller carbon footprint.
Among other ways AI can help manufacturers be more sustainable is through machine learning. Companies that have launched machine learning projects to improve demand forecast accuracy have seen an error reduction rate ranging from 5% to 20%. The improvement in forecast baseline accuracy extends to the overall forecasting process accuracy. Better demand forecasting means a boost in efficiency and sustainability as fewer products will go to waste.
In summary
There is no future where we avert climate catastrophe without relying on AI technology. AI is transforming e-commerce, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation — every industry. While It is not the only thing we need, it is an integral part of our survival. AI will not only help us solve our biggest problems, but it will also help us thrive afterward.
