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0 Artificial Intelligence and the Environment. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining immense attention with emerging programs such as Chat GPT and ongoing advancements. It fundamentally is changing how the human race lives. Artificial intelligence is the science and engineering of making “intelligent” machines, specifically innovative computer programs. It is similar to humans using and making computer programs, but AI’s scope extends beyond what is “biologically observable” (IBM., n.d). As AI continues to advance, recent progress has been discussed as to how AI can protect the environment from climate change. Both AI and climate change are cross-disciplinary (Towes, 2021). As climate change continues to be the most critical issue facing society today, AI is proving to be a tool that can be used to combat climate change in society today (Towes, 2021). Thus, this article will illustrate a few examples of how artificial intelligence can play a pivotal role in environmental protection.
Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on the Environment: Data Analytics for Sustainable Reporting and Measurement
To combat global warming, it is vital to have a system in place to record and measure impacts and, in this case, to measure and record greenhouse gas emissions from organizations so that they can reduce their carbon footprint (Javaid, 2023). AI can help businesses create and compile information to create a comprehensive carbon footprint calculation to reduce the amount of carbon the company is investing in and emitting (Javaid, 2023). Ultimately, using AI, in this case, will support organizations and give them information on how much is being emitted so that actions can be taken to reduce carbon emissions from their organizations (Javaid, 2023).
Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on the Environment: Sustainable Agriculture
Current agricultural practices are harmful and wasteful to the environment (Towes, 2021). For example, over 200 million tons of fertilizer is used in farming practices every year (Towes, 2021). This will not only pollute the environment but also create an excess of harmful aerosols being emitted into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gasses yearly (Towes, 2021). As the population continues to grow, the demand for food will ultimately increase. Some ideas that are in progress for making farming production more sustainable are Agricultural Robots. They are AI-powered robots that harvest crops that will significantly reduce waste and improve the growing and harvesting of grains (Javaid, 2023). AI will also support land management or “farm-land planning” using satellite images and land use data. It can support farms on where to plant their crops best and ensure that they are aligned with regulatory requirements in which they reside and ensure healthy crops (Javaid, 2023).
Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on the Environment: Natural Disasters
AI can reduce the impact of extreme weather events, which are increasing in frequency, severity, and duration due to climate change. AI-powered improvements can enable early detection of floods and forest fires. This will ultimately save lives and reduce economic impacts (PwC., n.d). As climate change and other environmental issues arise, it makes the planet hotter and drier (Towes, 2021), increasing the severity and frequency of forest fires in areas where forest fires were once not common and making them more common in areas where they were already susceptible to forest fires and other natural disasters (Towes, 2021). The AI-powered devices will also be used to observe any changes that trigger a fire, for example, unusual hot spots or rising smoke (Javaid, 2023). Thus, reducing fatalities and alarming communities in the surrounding area to be cautious will save people and reduce economic hardship.
AI is a powerful tool that can be used to protect the environment and people. It is a general-purpose technology with infinite potential uses in different cases and, in this case, being used as an environmental protection tool. As this tool continues to improve, there will be more ways that organizations and individuals can use it to help protect the environment! The opportunity and chance this technology provides to society in combating climate change, measuring greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing the impact of natural disasters is evident and will continue to improve and significantly impact the environment and society. With this being said, we invite you to share your thoughts on AI’s impact on the environment in the comment section below.
References
The International Business Machines Corporation (n.d.). What is artificial intelligence (AI)? IBM Topics. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://www.ibm.com/topics/artificial-intelligence
”How AI can enable a sustainable future” PwC. Retrieved on August 22, 2023, from https://www.pwc.co.uk/sustainability-climate-change/assets/pdf/how-ai-can-enable-a-sustainable-future.pdf
Javaid, S. (2023, August 8). Sustainability & AI: 10 AI Applications in Sustainability in 2023. Reaserch AIMultiple. Retrieved August 22, 2023, from https://research.aimultiple.com/sustainability-ai/#easy-footnote-bottom-4-47351
Towes, R. (2021, June 21). These Are The Startups Applying AI To Tackle Climate Change. Retrieved August 25, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/robtoews/2021/06/20/these-are-the-startups-applying-ai-to-tackle-climate-change/?sh=22fb6e8e7b26
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