Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, but a complex, multifaceted problem that involves public policy, business strategy, innovation, and our daily living. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), climate change caused by weather events and disasters, has resulted into economic losses of 1.5 trillion dollar in the decade till 2019. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that the direct healthcare costs – ignoring the impacts on agriculture and water sanitation sectors – will amount to 2-4 dollar annually by 2030.
In such difficult state, businesses and governments should stay ahead of the curve and look for innovative solutions. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a breakthrough technology in this case. It’s ability to analyse a huge amount of data and identify patterns can help us to transform the way we tackle climate changes. But the question stays the same: is AI a responsible solution to this global challenge?
In this article, we will discuss the double-sided face of employing AI for climate change – one that focuses on the importance of technological intervention, and another that warns against the sole dependence on such innovations. Our ultimate goal is to offer you a balanced insight into how AI can help in climate change, while also stressing on the possible risks involved.
The role of AI in reducing climate changes
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being an incredible partner for us in the global fight against climate change. Its vast computational power can help us to enhance energy efficiency, effectively manage natural resources, and minimise waste significantly. Let’s learn in-depth how AI plays an important role in creating a more sustainable environment.
Energy efficiency
One of the most remarkable applications of AI is in the energy sector. Using AI algorithms, companies can predict the energy demand with remarkable accuracy, which allows them for more efficient energy production, distribution, and consumption. For example, Google’s Deepmind employs machine learning algorithms to forecast the cooling needs of its data centres, hence minimising cooling energy consumption by up to 40%.
Furthermore, with AI technology you can optimise renewable energy sources. By analysing weather related data, AI can predict solar and wind power generation. It enables grid operators to combine renewable energy more effectively into power grid and hence reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Resource and waste management
When it comes to resource management, AI is highly powerful as it is used to monitor and protect natural habitats. Satellite imagery in combination with AI analysis can track deforestation, wildlife migration, and illegal fishing in real time. This capability of AI is not only helpful in enforcement and protection efforts, but also in planning sustainable development and environmental- friendly projects.
AI's contribution in the waste reduction is notable. According to the World Economic Forum, wastes are the primarily responsible for the production of methane, which contribute to 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Greyparrot, a London-based software company, has introduced an AI software that examines waste processing and recycling operations. That way, the company allows its facilities to augment the amount of waste material they can recover and recycle, and hence create and more sustainable environment.
In 2022, Greyparrot's system analysed over 25 billion items of waste, spanning 67 distinct categories, and identified an average of 86 tonnes of material per facility that could have been recycled but was instead destined for landfills.
AI’s contribution to climate risks
With the above discussion, it is evident that AI has definitely the potential to address climate challenges. However, you should both sides of the coin. Hence, before leveraging AI in addressing environmental issues, businesses should understand the limitations and risks involved that AI as a solution brings with it.
Carbon footprint
Behind the development of AI's capabilities lies an energy-intensive method with a significant carbon footprint.
The computational power needed to train, develop, and run AI models is vast and growing. Each advancement in AI's capabilities, particularly as datasets and models become more complex and extensive, demands an exponential increase in energy. This surge in energy consumption directly contributes to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions and further fuelling the carbon footprint - an issue AI seeks to mitigate.
A striking insight from OpenAI researchers highlights this concern, showing that the computational power needed to train top-tier AI models has been doubling every 3.4 months since 2012. Given this trajectory, projections have suggested that by 2040, emissions from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector could account for 14% of the global total. A huge portion of this footprint stems from the ICT infrastructure required to support AI, particularly the operation of data centres and communication networks.
Such figures underscore the urgent need for the AI and tech community to reckon with AI’s carbon footprint and its role in environmental deterioration, prompting a search for more sustainable practices in AI development and deployment.
Electronic waste
Another worrying environmental challenge that AI possess is the generation of electronic waste (e-waste). This type of waste involves, but not restricted to, smartphones, computers, and various electronic elements related to AI infrastructure, which contains dangerous chemicals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. When disposed improperly, these materials mix into soil and water supplies, causing grave risks to human health and the environment.
The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2050, global e-waste could surpass 120 million metric tonnes, highlighting the urgent need for a strong e-waste management and recycling strategies. These should encompass proper disposal and recycling method and to prevent threatening substances from polluting our environment, thus minimising the harmful impacts of e-waste.
What is OneAdvanced's Perspective?
At OneAdvanced, we are committed to supporting the environmental sustainability. We believe that AI does have the potential to transform the way we deal with climate changes. But at the same time, we also acknowledge the potential risk that AI brings with it.
Our 2023 Annual Trends report revealed that 42% of UK organisations are investing in sustainability initiatives, while a slightly larger fraction, 54%, are investing resources into AI development. This demonstrates that the companies not only acknowledge AI’s revolutionary power but also understand its importance of integrating the technological advancements with sustainable practices.
Hence, as newcomers in the AI field, we encourage the balanced approach to tackling climate change, viewing AI as a supporting tool rather than the sole solution. This strategy allows us to envision a future where technology and nature exist in harmony. So, is AI a smart solution to climate change? The answer lies in how we harness its potential while ensuring sustainability remains at the core of our efforts.
Want to know how you can build a responsible AI framework that ensures both sustainability and ethical practices in their AI projects? Read "How can organisations build a responsible AI framework?".
