Climate change has become an undeniable reality for the current generations, significantly impacting environmental, social, and economic systems worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 4 billion people already live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change.
The escalating risks associated with this phenomenon are evident in the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
From prolonged and severe droughts that devastate agricultural productivity and water supplies to powerful and destructive storms that wreak havoc on infrastructure and displace communities, the consequences of climate change are multifaceted and far-reaching.
These events not only threaten ecosystems and biodiversity but also strain social systems and disrupt economic stability, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive climate action and resilience planning.
At this critical juncture of “now or never,” mitigation efforts have become essential, including meeting global sustainability goals within their respective deadlines. Minimizing such harm necessitates a multifaceted approach encompassing adaptation and resilience strategies, from immediate crisis management to long-term planning.
Additionally, it involves generating awareness, enhancing education, securing financing, and advancing research to address the challenges posed by climate change effectively.
As technology continues to evolve, AI stands out as a uniquely effective tool for addressing these complex issues. Its ability to collect, analyze, and interpret vast and intricate datasets on emissions and climate impacts makes it invaluable in supporting stakeholders to adopt a more informed, data-driven approach to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a greener society.
Additionally, AI can be utilized to strategically reorient global climate efforts towards the regions most at risk, ensuring a more targeted and efficient response to climate challenges.
Enhancing the opportunity to make contributions at various levels, individuals, for example, can utilize AI-powered smart home systems that are energy efficient, thereby reducing household carbon dioxide emissions. On a larger scale such as using AI to monitor changes in icebergs much more quickly and accurately than humans typically can.
How is the world looking at it?
The establishment of the Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body in October 2023 highlights significant efforts to address the risks, opportunities, and international governance of artificial intelligence.
Henceforth, enhancing data analysis capabilities and promoting collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil societies, allowing everyone to benefit. Examples of its applications include weather forecasting and disaster management.
According to the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO), leveraging vast amounts of data to extract valuable insights and enhance predictive models is crucial. This approach improves the modeling and prediction of climate change patterns, aiding communities and authorities in developing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Several UN agencies are supporting vulnerable communities in Burundi, Chad, and Sudan through an AI-driven project. Further, it analyzes the recent environmental history of major displacement hotspots and generates future projections to guide adaptation measures and anticipatory actions, integrating them into humanitarian programming while recognizing the varying levels of regional vulnerability.
Additionally, as part of disaster management efforts, the UN Secretary General’s Early Warning for All initiative, launched in 2023, leverages AI-driven benefits. This initiative aims to ensure that everyone on the planet is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. As the human-induced climate change leads to more extreme conditions, at this juncture the need for early warning systems is crucial and can not be treated as a luxury.
Furthermore, AI systems could significantly improve waste management, making it more efficient and effective. Waste produces methane, which, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, accounts for 16 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Case of Smart Agriculture
Globally, agricultural activities alone account for approximately 70 percent of all freshwater use. A significant portion of this freshwater is lost due to poor resource management, such as the inefficiencies in current irrigation methods like water sprinklers, which can waste considerable amounts of water.
Loosely connected bolts can cause water to accumulate in certain areas, posing a significant problem in regions with water scarcity. This can create a chain reaction of issues, with one problem leading to another.
Agriculture plays a vital role in the Indian economy. To support farmers during the crop growth period, commonly used agritech interventions include drones, smart devices for precision farming, and pest identification apps. Farmers in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana are becoming increasingly tech-savvy, adopting agritech solutions for climate-resilient agriculture and pest management, which in turn boosts their profits.
Two-Edged Sword
Artificial Intelligence can drive positive change however, it is not a foolproof solution for combating climate change. The vast amounts of data it generates require high-performance computing resources, including specialized processors and hardware, which consume significant energy and can substantially impact the environment. This process leads to considerable electronic waste and increased emissions.
Another critical issue with AI is the unequal access to technology and digital resources globally, which can widen socio-economic cleavages. The generation and implementation of AI-driven solutions may be less affordable for various economies, further exacerbating existing inequalities between countries and regions. This could give developed nations an unfair advantage over developing ones in addressing climate change.