AI has been widely applied by researchers, businesses and governments in the fight against climate change. While this has produced some impressive results, its environmental drawbacks have also become more apparent. Here's a closer look at the pros and cons of using AI to tackle climate change.

The benefits of fighting climate change with AI

The world has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in climate-focused AI. Despite being relatively new, these technologies have already made significant improvements and their potential extends even further. Here are some of the main sustainability benefits of AI.

1. Making accurate climate forecasts

Effective sustainability efforts require an understanding of the environment and how it is changing. AI research tools can help you do that. Advanced data analysis tools can provide insight into different ecosystems and how different changes may affect them.

Researchers are using AI to characterize pollution sources, estimate contaminant exposure, predict toxicity levels, and more. This information provides a deeper picture of the environment and how it might change as various factors change. Companies can use this information to make greener decisions, and governments can use it to make more informed legislative decisions.

AI predictions can show how sustainability initiatives could impact the environment. Global agencies could then adjust their goals as needed.

2. Discovering ways to reduce your carbon footprint

Likewise, insights based on artificial intelligence can help people reduce their carbon footprint. Some sources of emissions are obvious, but it can be difficult to understand the full extent of a company's output, especially when you consider indirect sources. Artificial intelligence can reveal the advantages and disadvantages of these elements and suggest effective changes.

AI algorithms can analyze all direct and indirect sources of a company's emissions and catalog them according to their size and potential for change. These businesses can then make better decisions about reducing their carbon footprint, such as electrifying their fleets or using renewable energy. Some studies suggest that such use of AI can reduce emissions by 5.3 gigatons by 2030.

Smaller scale improvements can also help. For example, some logistics companies are using AI to optimize the routes their trucks take. As a result, they travel a shorter distance, reducing transport-related emissions.

3. Optimization of renewable energy

AI can also help make the most of renewable energy sources. Wind and solar energy do not produce any harmful emissions, but they do not generate energy continuously and energy storage is complicated. Energy consumption is also rising. AI can help.

AI-powered smart grids can analyze real-time renewable energy production and demand from surrounding buildings. They can then send different levels of electricity to different areas, meeting different energy needs while minimizing energy waste. In this way, renewable energy sources can supply energy more reliably.

Smart algorithms can also analyze various factors to find ideal locations for new solar or wind farms. This knowledge can help provide as much renewable energy as possible with minimal infrastructure, reduce material costs and destroy habitats.

Disadvantages of using AI to fight climate change

As beneficial as AI can be in the fight against climate change, it comes with some concerns. Here are the most significant environmental disadvantages of AI.

1. Energy consumption

The biggest caveat to using AI to protect the environment is the huge energy requirements of this technology. Studies have found that training a single machine learning model can emit more than 283 t of carbon emissions, equivalent to the lifetime performance of five cars.

Running the advanced calculations found in AI algorithms requires a large-scale computing infrastructure. These computers use a lot of energy, and most electricity today comes from fossil fuels. As a result, more intensive use of AI often creates more harmful emissions.

Switching to renewable energy would help solve this problem, but it will take time. Some experts worry that the growing use of AI will create more demand for fossil fuels in the meantime, counteracting any positive changes it brings.

2. Reliance on rare earth metals

Data centers that support AI processes also contribute to environmentally destructive mining activity. Computer hardware requires rare earth metals, and their extraction puts a strain on the environment.

Each ton of rare earth mined also produces 5,443 cubic meters of waste gas, 75 cubic meters of wastewater and one ton of radioactive material. This waste, especially radioactive residue, can seep into the surrounding ecosystem and threaten wildlife and water resources. Mining equipment also typically relies on emission-producing diesel engines.

If AI is to be truly green, the world must deal with rare earth mining. This means either finding alternative materials or coming up with more sustainable processes.

AI has a complicated relationship with the environment

Artificial intelligence may be one of humanity's best tools in the fight against climate change, but it also carries a significant footprint of its own. Researchers and organizations must address this complicated relationship to make the most of this technology. Artificial intelligence could lead the world to a more sustainable future, but only if something changes with its energy and resource needs. (source: united.ai)