While there is no doubt that COVID-19 has shaken the world order, environmental issues are among the major problems of the 21st century. However, technological innovations are not only helping us better understand these problems, but AI-based technologies can also help us fight them.
AI for Earth
When the Paris Agreement reached its two-year mark, the world’s business and civic leaders, including Microsoft, gathered in Paris to discuss pressing issues such as Climate Change. The Microsoft delegation announced that they will expand their AI for Earth program and allocate $50 million to support efforts to protect the planet.
AI is more effective when it comes to monitoring, modelling, and managing the Earth’s natural systems. AI, with its features and capabilities, can be a real game-changer. To solve these problems, we first need to understand them. Data can tell us about the health of our planet and the condition of our air, water, soil and wildlife.
What the experts can do is train AI to collect data from sensors on the ground, in the air, or even in space in a format that both humans and computers can understand. AI can facilitate a faster understanding of the world’s systems. This will enable us to comprehend how our planet is changing on a global scale. We can then use this information to take impactful steps in addressing the issues.
There are custom software development companies that have expertise in AI, such as Fortyseven software professionals. Forty-seven teams can perform predictive analysis, handle real-time data, automate processes, and develop IoT solutions. Whatever kind of custom solution you need for your problem, they’ll be able to deliver.
The guest author of this post, Hanna Schnaider, an expert in this field, has compiled this informative article for us. Let’s dive into it.
AI for Global Emissions
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that the 75 million metric tons of emissions produced from the oil and gas used worldwide are enough to provide electricity to the whole of Africa twice a year. The IEA also says that these emissions can be reduced by 75% using the current technologies.
The transformative potential of AI is evident in its applications in Norway. This company in Norway produces renewable energy. They use AI and Cloud to better capture and analyse the energy at the electrical grid and to act on the intelligence collected across it. The company can adjust its energy production to meet changing demands. AI has successfully reduced the need for new and expensive projects by improving existing infrastructure. AI has helped them build a reliable and effective grid. This has encouraged the people and the country to move towards an electricity-based future.
AI for Waste Management
When technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), is introduced into waste management practices, waste segregation and collection become significantly easier. A company in San Francisco has developed a system that utilises garbage cans equipped with sensors and a video camera. They let the company know whenever the garbage is full so that it can be emptied on time.
The high-resolution picture of the garbage can can be viewed at any time by the person in charge through their mobile phone. These smart dumpsters are also equipped with GPS tracking technology. So, their movement and location can also be monitored. This data is then collected and interpreted by the IoT cloud-based platform. The garbage collectors can view the dumpsters in various areas and only collect the ones that are full. This will help them save time and fuel. A similar system is also used in Finland.
AI for Electrical Efficiency
AI has also shown promise in building better infrastructure and improving electrical efficiency. JTC, a company in Singapore, utilises AI and Cloud-based technologies to centralise its operations. This company is responsible for the country’s industrial infrastructure. It monitors, analyses, and optimises 39 of its buildings through AI.
The technology helps them identify and correct faults in the building before they cause breakdown. This reduces the energy cost by 15%. According to a study, approximately 40% of the energy consumed in the US is used in buildings. If this consumption is reduced by even 15%, it would translate to a 6% reduction in global energy consumption. Isn’t that amazing? As time passes and AI continues to improve, we can aim even higher.
AI in Space
A new satellite called MethaneSAT has been built and will be sent to space shortly. If you’re familiar with methane, you can probably guess the purpose of this satellite. If not, then we are here to tell you. It will be sent to space for mapping and measuring methane with great precision, almost everywhere on the planet. It will enable us to detect methane in areas where it is challenging to track.
What’s even better is that this data will be available to everyone freely. This will help countries and governments to identify problems, create reduction opportunities and monitor progress over time.
AI in Agriculture
Farming is very challenging, especially in countries like Australia due to the varying climate, dry conditions and expensive labour and import costs. A Tasmanian-based company has built sensors, apps and analytics to produce accurate and real-time weather data.
This will help farmers make informed decisions and regulate water use. The company is also working on developing machine learning (ML)- driven aquaculture. The technology has already reduced harvest closures due to rain by 30%. AI can be used to analyse soil and mitigate adverse environmental conditions.
AI for Birds
There are AI-driven platforms, such as iNaturalist and eBird, which collect data from various sources on bird species encountered. This helps track their population and monitor their migration patterns. These AI-based technologies have also helped identify and protect various freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Final Words
We must take urgent action to address the environmental issues. Most of these problems are the products of the previous industrial revolution. Now we must utilise current technology not only to move forward but also to rectify the past’s flawed products, thereby creating a better future. Because technology is like a double-edged sword. If it is capable of doing damage to the environment, it can also undo it.
