Chatgpt Prompt: AI, what are you doing to the planet?

If 2 things matter to the world, you and me, it is AI and climate change

Dear Reader

Welcome to the 3rd edition of my newsletter. A few weeks flew by as I travelled to see how 50 degrees of heat had become normal in most parts of the country (what was considered the deal for deserts). It also made me observe how Gen-AI has percolated in every nook and corner of our lives, as I witnessed my grandfather use ChatGPT to get a summary of his health report.

And, that is what prompted me to dive into how AI (Artificial Intelligence) can stretch its arms to transform both the industry and the society.

So, I asked my dearest friend Chatgpt to tell me what it could do to save the planet.

HOW AI CAN RESOLVE THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The top answers I received from the tool can be categorized into the following 3 aspects: Data Insights, Resource Optimization and Driving Policies & Awareness.

DATA INSIGHTS: Continuous, real-time monitoring of various environmental aspects allows us to accurately quantify our impact and make fact-based decisions instead of relying on prejudices or instincts.

AI analytics can handle large volumes of data, identifying complex patterns and insights that enhance human interaction with extensive data sets that would otherwise seem impenetrable.

Additionally, AI can process both structured (organized in spreadsheets) and unstructured (text, images, audio, video) data, integrating information from these sources to provide a holistic view. These capabilities facilitate reliable real-time environmental monitoring and help predict outcomes based on different responses. Therefore, AI analytics significantly improve our ability to optimize decision-making for climate change mitigation through the visualization and processing of complex, multifaceted data. For example, UNEP is leading several initiatives that utilize AI's capabilities to analyze intricate datasets.

RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION: This prompt gave an elaborate answer from the tool and further reading, also highlights that it can analyze production processes to identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements, leading to reduced resource consumption and higher productivity, helping companies track their waste production and provide insights on how to reduce it through better practices and materials management and many other things.

ADVOCACY AND POLICY: There are some projects where artificial intelligence is already employed to support climate advocacy and environmental sustainability. Here are some examples of those projects:

1. Environmental Monitoring and Data Analysis

Project: UNEP’s Air Quality Monitoring

• Description: AI tools have been used by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to monitor air quality in real-time across various cities.
• AI's Role: Analyze data from sensors to detect pollution levels, identify trends, and provide insights for policy recommendations and public health advisories.

2. Climate Prediction and Modeling

Project: Climate Change Impact Forecasting

• Description: Climate scientists use AI models to predict the long-term impacts of climate change on various ecosystems.
• AI's Role: Process large datasets from satellite imagery, weather stations, and climate models to simulate future climate scenarios and their potential impacts on agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity.

3. Sustainable Agriculture

Project: Precision Farming Initiatives

• Description: AI-driven precision farming projects help farmers optimize resource use and improve crop yields.
• AI's Role: Analyze data from soil sensors, weather forecasts, and crop health monitors to provide real-time recommendations on irrigation, fertilization, and pest control.

4. Renewable Energy Optimization

Project: Smart Grid Management

• Description: Energy companies use AI to manage smart grids, ensuring efficient distribution of renewable energy.
• AI's Role: Balance supply and demand, predict energy consumption patterns and optimize the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid.

5. Conservation and Wildlife Protection

Project: Wildlife Poaching Prevention

• Description: Conservation organizations use AI to prevent wildlife poaching and protect endangered species.
• AI's Role: Analyze data from camera traps, drones, and other monitoring devices to detect illegal activities and predict poaching hotspots, enabling timely intervention by conservationists.

BUT WHAT'S THE TRADE-OFF?

Like most things and developments, there is a hidden cost to this magic tool, that questions the potential environmentally damaging effects of developing and widely implementing AI.

As per an article in the "The Oxford Scientist",to train popular large AI models, an estimated 300,000 kg (600,000 lbs) of carbon dioxide emissions is emitted — that’s around five times the lifetime emissions of a car!

Additionally, the data servers backing the software need to be powered by renewable energy sources. Tech giants, such as Google, are already investing in data centres in Nordic countries due to their cool climate and the availability of geothermal and hydroelectric power. In addition, Microsoft is investing in nuclear energy to power its data centres and AI, intending to build next-generation “small modular reactors”. These initiatives represent a valuable first step in establishing a sustainable route for AI development.

Lastly, we also need to find a tangible solution to e-waste that will be generated and produced as a result of AI development or AI-enhanced manufacturing. Of the 53.9 Mt of e-waste generated in 2019, just 9.3 Mt (17%) was documented as collected or recycled. You can probably guess where the rest ended up. This is particularly concerning given that e-waste contains hazardous chemicals (such as lead, mercury, and cadmium) that could contaminate soil and water supplies, endangering human health.

WHAT DOES THE REPORT CARD SAY?

We are already at the crucial tipping point of climate emergency but also, living in one of the best times in the tech world. As Charles Dickens once said "It was the best of times and the worst of times", we need to find the balance to counter our worst times by using the best of Artificial Intelligence. Organizations around the world have begun to implement and adopt AI to build the next innovations to battle climate change.

The report card surely says a good job, but definitely with a big scope of improvement!

While you're here, sharing your experiences as a climate action advocate would mean so much to me! Or feel free to just drop by and say hi!

Regards

Aparna Choudhuri

src: The true cost of AI innovation | Scientific Computing World (scientific-computing.com)

https://oxsci.org/could-artificial-intelligence-fight-against-climate-change/#:~:text=AI%20advances%20show%20enormous%20potential,identify%20the%20most%20impactful%20actions.