What Is AI in Environment Conservation: An Inside Look

Q: How is the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) leveraging AI for environmental analysis?

UNEP's World Environment Situation Room (WESR) uses AI to look at complex data on things like CO2 levels, glacier health, and sea level rise. It aims to be a hub for tracking environmental trends and taking action based on data.

Q: How is the GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform using AI?

The GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform, started by UNEP and IQAir, is the biggest network for air quality info. It uses AI to bring together data from over 25,000 air quality stations. This helps understand how air quality affects health and informs health protection steps.

In today’s world, we face big challenges like climate change, losing nature and biodiversity, and pollution. A powerful tool has come to help us – Artificial Intelligence (AI). But what role does AI play in protecting our planet, and how is it changing how we care for the earth? Are we using AI to its fullest to protect our future?

Contents

AI means systems or machines that can do tasks that need human smarts. It’s changing the game in environmental conservation¹. It helps us watch over wildlife, keep nature diverse, predict weather, and use clean energy better. AI is key in our fight for a greener future².

Key Takeaways

AI is seen as a top new tech in conservation, helping with better monitoring, analysis, and making decisions.
AI helps solve many environmental problems, like stopping wildlife crime, fixing habitats, and saving species.
Using AI for predictive modeling and data analysis is key to tackling big issues like climate change, water shortages, and pollution.
AI is changing sectors like farming, energy, and waste management to be greener and lessen harm to the environment.
Even though AI in environmental conservation is new, its potential to make a big difference is huge.

AI’s Role in Tackling Environmental Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key ally in fighting environmental issues. AI refers to systems or machines that perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence and can iteratively improve themselves over time based on the information they collect.³ It helps in many areas, like making buildings use less energy, tracking deforestation, and improving how we use renewable energy.

Defining Artificial Intelligence

David Jensen, from the United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) Digital Transformation sub-programme, says AI can work on a big scale. For example, it can monitor global emissions from space or manage a smart house by turning off lights or heat automatically after a while³.

Areas Where AI Plays a Pivotal Role

AI can boost the EPA’s detection of water pollution violators by over 600% compared to random checks³.
AI can smartly allocate inspection resources by predicting which facilities are most likely to break environmental laws³.
AI can track how climate change affects the planet and monitor sustainability efforts using satellites³.
AI could become carbon neutral if it runs on renewable energy³.

The tech sector uses only 1% of the world’s energy, staying the same over years³. But, AI’s growth in data centers could increase energy use beyond 1% in the next decade³. Companies are now focusing on being more sustainable as they develop and use AI³.

AI could add up to $5.2 trillion USD to the global economy by 2030 in areas like farming, water, energy, and transport⁴. It could also cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 4% by 2023⁴.

But, adding AI to sustainability plans needs a careful plan for each industry to ensure safety, openness, and responsibility³. It’s important to balance AI growth with caring for the environment to avoid more energy use and emissions⁵.

UNEP’s World Environment Situation Room (WESR)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched the World Environment Situation Room (WESR) in 2022⁶. This digital platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze complex environmental data⁷. WESR aims to be a “mission control center” for our planet, showing real-time data from many sources.

Leveraging AI for Environmental Analysis

The WESR platform is backed by partners and uses the best earth observation data⁶. It looks at things like CO2 levels, glacier changes, sea level rise, and more⁶. With AI, WESR offers easy-to-use insights for governments, schools, businesses, and decision-makers worldwide⁷.

WESR’s main goal is to track and analyze our planet’s key environmental indicators⁶. It’s a big step in using AI and data to fight climate change, protect nature, and manage resources⁷.

Key Highlights of UNEP’s WESR
Launched in 2022 to leverage AI for environmental data analysis and monitoring Curates and visualizes real-time data on factors like CO2 levels, glacier mass, and sea level rise Designed as a user-friendly platform to inform decision-making in government, education, and business Aims to become a “mission control center” for tracking vital environmental indicators Supported by a consortium of partners to provide comprehensive environmental insights

Key Highlights of UNEP’s WESR

Launched in 2022 to leverage AI for environmental data analysis and monitoring
Curates and visualizes real-time data on factors like CO2 levels, glacier mass, and sea level rise
Designed as a user-friendly platform to inform decision-making in government, education, and business
Aims to become a “mission control center” for tracking vital environmental indicators
Supported by a consortium of partners to provide comprehensive environmental insights

UNEP’s World Environment Situation Room is a big step in using AI and data to tackle environmental issues⁷. It offers a central place for monitoring and analyzing environmental data. This helps governments, organizations, and people make better choices to protect our planet⁸.

International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO)

Addressing methane emissions is crucial for fighting global climate change. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has started the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to change how we track and manage methane emissions⁹.

IMEO is a global database that gathers and combines different data types. This gives us a detailed and accurate view of methane emissions. Thanks to AI, IMEO helps leaders make smart choices to lower methane emissions⁹.

Revolutionizing Methane Emissions Monitoring

Methane is a strong greenhouse gas, causing about 30% of the global temperature increase¹⁰. IMEO uses AI to link various data sources, making a detailed global methane emissions record. This platform helps different groups make informed decisions to cut methane emissions. It’s a key move against climate change⁹¹⁰.

IMEO’s AI-powered database changes how we handle methane emissions. It offers insights and actions to fight this big environmental issue. These efforts are key to meeting the Paris Agreement and other climate goals⁹.

GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring Platform

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has started a new project called the GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform. It’s the biggest network for sharing air quality info worldwide. It uses data from over 25,000 stations in more than 140 countries¹¹.

This platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to give important insights on air quality. It helps both companies and governments make smart choices to protect people’s health and help the environment¹¹.

UNEP has the biggest database for fine particles in the air, known as PM 2.5. It gets real-time PM2.5 data from thousands of sources like governments, researchers, and regular people¹¹. A map on the platform shows PM2.5 levels worldwide and is used by over 50 million people on their phones. It also gets more than 300 million visitors every year¹¹.

The GEMS/Air strategy helps governments and others use air quality data to make cleaner air a reality¹¹. It explores new ways to use low-cost sensors, satellites, and new business models to keep monitoring air quality¹¹.

A group called the global consortium for better air quality data brings together experts from many fields. They work together to make sharing air quality data better and more effective¹¹.

“The GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform is a game-changer in the fight for cleaner air, harnessing the power of data and AI to drive environmental action at a global scale.”

AI in Environment Conservation

Calculating Environmental Footprints

AI is changing the game in environmental conservation. It helps us tackle big challenges with new precision and efficiency. AI is especially useful in figuring out the environmental impact of products from start to finish¹².

With AI, businesses and consumers can see the real effects of their choices. AI looks at the carbon footprint, resource use, and waste from a product’s life, from start to end¹³.

This info is key for “sustainable digital nudging.” It’s about using tech to push people towards greener choices. AI works with online shops to show shoppers how products affect the environment. This helps people make choices that are better for the planet¹².

AI is a big deal for the environment. It helps us see the impact of our actions and nudges us towards better choices. With accurate info, we can all work towards a planet-friendly future¹³.

“The integration of AI in environmental conservation is a game-changer, not only in terms of calculating footprints but also in driving tangible change through sustainable digital nudging.”

Addressing ICT Emissions and E-Waste

The growth of ICT has brought many benefits but also a big environmental cost. It now makes up about 3-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This could jump to 14% by 2040 as ICT grows¹⁴. Most emissions come from the energy used in data centers and networks that power our digital lives¹⁴.

ICT also harms the environment in other ways. Training big AI models can create a lot of carbon dioxide, about 626,000 pounds¹⁴. By 2050, AI technology could produce over 120 million metric tonnes of e-waste¹⁴. This e-waste, if not disposed of right, can pollute soil and water, harming people’s health¹⁵.

To fix these issues, we need a plan. We can cut AI’s energy use by making better hardware and algorithms¹⁴. Also, recycling e-waste properly is key to avoid environmental damage and reduce the harm from dangerous chemicals¹⁴.

Working together is crucial. Businesses, scholars, and policymakers must join forces for sustainable ICT and AI. We should all be open and responsible to lessen AI’s environmental impact¹⁴. Together, we can lessen the digital age’s environmental harm and aim for a sustainable future.

ICT emissions

“The rising use of AI in agriculture could lead to biodiversity loss and monocultures due to potential overuse of pesticides and fertilisers.”

The e-waste crisis is urgent. In 2019, we generated 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste, a 21% increase from before¹⁶. By 2030, this could double to 74 million metric tonnes¹⁶. Yet, only about 20% of e-waste is recycled¹⁶.

We need a circular economy to tackle ICT emissions and e-waste. We should buy less, make products last longer, and improve recycling¹⁶. By working together, we can lessen the ICT sector’s environmental impact and aim for a greener, circular economy.

Metric	Value	Source
ICT industry’s projected contribution to global emissions by 2040	14%	¹⁴¹⁵,
Carbon emissions from training large AI models	626,000 pounds	¹⁴¹⁵,
Projected e-waste generation by 2050	120 million metric tonnes	¹⁴
Global e-waste generated in 2019	53.6 million metric tonnes	¹⁶
Projected global e-waste by 2030	74 million metric tonnes	¹⁶
E-waste recycling rate	Around 20%	¹⁶¹⁵,

Detecting Permafrost Melting in the Arctic

The Arctic is warming fast, nearly four times quicker than the rest of the world since 1979¹⁷. This warming is causing permafrost to thaw quickly. This is a big problem for Arctic species, increases pollution risks, and threatens the homes of people living there¹⁷.

A team of researchers and groups are working on a new solution. Google.org gave $30 million to help improve climate information and action, including tracking permafrost thaw in the Arctic for three years¹⁷. They’re working with places like the University of Connecticut and University of California Santa Barbara¹⁷.

Mapping Ice-Wedge Polygons with AI

The Permafrost Discovery Gateway is a key part of this effort. It lets Arctic residents see permafrost thaw in real-time¹⁷. This platform uses satellites and AI to give crucial info to communities at risk as their land thaws. AI tech like facial recognition helps map ice-wedge polygons under the ground, showing how permafrost is degrading.

The Gateway will share lots of info on the Arctic’s changes, like coastal erosion and thawing ice¹⁷. It will also show how the Arctic is changing through visuals. This will help scientists, leaders, and local communities understand how permafrost reacts to climate change¹⁷. This info is key for making plans to fight climate change.

The project started on November 1st, 2019, with a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation¹⁸. They aim to make the Gateway available in a year, giving a powerful tool for tracking Arctic challenges¹⁸.

“The Permafrost Discovery Gateway will provide unique visualizations of the changes occurring across the Arctic, empowering scientists, decision-makers, and local communities to better understand the resilience and vulnerability of permafrost to climate change.”

Ensuring Food Supply with AI in Agriculture

The global population is set to hit 10 billion by 2050, putting a huge strain on agriculture to boost crop production and yields¹⁹. Luckily, AI is changing how we farm, offering hope for a secure food future.

Precision Farming and Automation

The AI in agriculture market is expected to jump from USD 1.7 billion in 2023 to USD 4.7 billion by 2028¹⁹. AI is bringing big changes, helping farmers make better use of data to predict markets and plan planting and harvesting¹⁹. It also helps save money by making farming more precise, increasing yields while using fewer resources¹⁹.

AI is making farming more efficient with things like driverless tractors and smart drones¹⁹. It uses algorithms to manage crops in greenhouses, adjusting conditions for the best growth¹⁹.

AI can track how crops are doing, predict yields, and spot diseases and pests¹⁹. It’s been shown to be over 90% accurate in spotting issues in crops and animals¹⁹. AI drones can apply pesticides precisely, saving resources¹⁹. It also helps farmers plan better by analyzing data on past yields¹⁹.

With climate change, AI will be key to feeding the world’s growing population¹⁹. It can make farming better, increase productivity, and protect the environment. AI is a strong ally in securing our food supply.

“The application of AI in agriculture aims to reduce chemical usage and enhance sustainability by providing farmers with guidance on water management, crop selection, and pest control.”²⁰

AI isn’t just about precision farming and automation. Tools like Plantix help farmers spot nutrient issues and pests, improving crop quality²⁰. Trace Genomics uses AI for soil analysis, helping farmers keep track of soil and crop health²⁰.

In California, AI is helping with the state’s 13 million tons of tomatoes²¹. Companies like Pacific Coast Producers use AI to work more efficiently²¹. The Artificial Intelligence Institute for Next Generation Food Systems is also funded by the USDA, focusing on AI in the food industry²¹.

As farming evolves, AI will be crucial for a strong and sustainable food supply. It will help both farmers and consumers.

Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

AI in Supply Chain Management

AI is key in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain²². Saleh ElHattab, from Gravity Climate, says up to 90% of emissions come from outside a company’s direct actions²². AI makes tracking and analyzing data easier, turning complex tasks into automated ones²². This helps companies and their partners cut down on carbon emissions more effectively.

AI also optimizes how goods move through the supply chain, cutting down on emissions²². The 2022 BCG Climate AI Survey found 87% of CEOs see AI as crucial in fighting climate change²³. Most see AI’s biggest value in reducing emissions, followed by measuring them²³.

AI helps by predicting energy use, improving supply chain efficiency, and changing behaviors to lower emissions²³. It also makes tracking carbon emissions easier for companies, helping them reduce their footprint²².

“Up to 90% of people’s emissions are outside their own operational boundaries, whether it occurs upstream or downstream.”

– Saleh ElHattab, Founder, Gravity Climate

Renewable Energy Development with AI

The future of renewable energy is changing fast, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). AI is now a big part of many industries, including saving the environment. It’s growing fast because of the huge increase in computing power²⁴. In renewable energy, AI is key to making wind turbines work better, predicting how much solar power we’ll get, and making renewable energy more efficient.

GE Renewable Energy is a leader in wind power and uses AI to boost performance. Their wind turbines have sensors and AI that can predict wind changes. This lets them adjust the turbine’s work to get the most energy²⁴. This means more power and better efficiency for wind energy.

AI also helps solar power systems predict how much energy they’ll make. This lets them work better and connect smoothly with the power grid²⁴. By looking at weather data and past performance, AI can give accurate solar power forecasts. This helps renewable energy companies make smart choices and improve their solar setups.

2030.builders is a group of tech leaders working on sustainable projects. They focus on using cloud computing to cut down on hardware waste, making energy-saving AI chips, and creating carbon-neutral data centers²⁴. With AI and these sustainable efforts, the future of renewable energy looks bright.

AI Application	Impact on Renewable Energy
Wind Turbine Optimization	Predicts wind changes and adjusts turbine work for best efficiency²⁴.
Solar Power Forecasting	Uses weather data and past info for accurate solar forecasts, helping systems work better²⁴.
Renewable Energy System Efficiency	Makes renewable energy systems work better with predictive maintenance, forecasting, and grid connection²⁴.

As we move towards a sustainable future, AI and renewable energy are a powerful team. They can bring new solutions, improve system performance, and help clean energy grow faster²⁴²⁵²⁶.

AI in renewable energy

Smart Energy Grids and AI

The energy sector is a big source of greenhouse gas emissions, making it key for saving the environment²⁷. AI is changing the game in this area, making energy grids smarter²⁸.

Smart grids use digital tech to manage energy flow in both directions. They help consumers who make energy to send back to the grid²⁷. These grids aim to make energy use more efficient, reliable, and green²⁷.

AI boosts smart grids by adjusting to changes, improving forecasts, and making energy use better²⁷. Companies are investing in AI to help reach zero net emissions goals²⁸. This tech optimizes how electricity is spread out, adjusts energy based on what’s needed, and finds ways to save energy²⁸.

But, using AI for smart grids has its challenges, like data quality and security²⁸. It’s important for everyone involved to work together to overcome these issues²⁷.

AI can make smart grids work better, helping fight climate change²⁷. With AI, we can make energy use more sustainable, efficient, and strong²⁸.

Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we farm for the better. It helps farmers grow more food with less harm to the planet. AI makes farming more precise, which means better crops and less waste.

AI for Crop Yield Prediction and Pest Management

AI is making big changes in farming by predicting crop yields and managing pests. It looks at soil, weather, and past crops to forecast yields²⁹. This helps farmers use resources wisely, boosting productivity and cutting waste²⁹.

AI also helps spot pests and diseases early, reducing the need for harmful chemicals²⁹. For example, Farm Wise’s AI robots can find and remove weeds, showing how AI is improving farming³⁰.

With AI, farmers can make smart choices to help the planet and grow more food²⁹³⁰.

“The future of AI in sustainable farming holds potential advancements in advanced robotics and automation, hyper-local weather forecasting, and integration with other emerging technologies.”

Key AI-Powered Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives	Impact
Granular’s AI-driven algorithms	Significant reductions in energy consumption for participating farms³⁰
Bayer FieldView platform	Increased crop yields and improved resource use efficiency³⁰
Netafim’s AI-powered irrigation control systems	Reduced water consumption while maintaining optimal crop growth in water-scarce regions³⁰
Enviro’s AI-powered waste sorting system	Diverted farm waste from landfills and converted it into valuable resources³⁰
Microsoft FarmBeats program	Contributed to climate change mitigation through data-driven insights on weather, soil, and resource management³⁰

The market for AI in farming is growing fast²⁹. Using these new technologies with sustainable farming is key to solving big problems like food security, climate change, and environmental damage²⁹³⁰.

Waste Management and AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing how we handle waste. It looks at data on waste production, collection, and disposal. This helps cities make their waste management better, reduce waste, and increase recycling³¹.

AI is also used in Waste Robotics, a company with AI-powered robots. These robots sort recyclable materials from waste. This makes recycling more efficient and cuts down on landfill waste³².

AI gives insights on what waste is made of and how it moves. This helps cities make better waste management plans. By knowing how waste is created, cities can tackle waste at its source and boost recycling³¹.

AI also helps make renewable energy by looking at weather, grid conditions, and energy needs. This leads to a more dependable and affordable clean energy system. It also helps reduce the use of fossil fuels, supporting sustainable waste management³².

As waste management gets tougher, AI offers new solutions. It helps improve recycling and use energy better. AI is a key tool for a greener future³¹³².,

Water Management with AI

AI is changing how we handle and save our water³³. It helps save a lot of water, making our water use sustainable³³. In farming, AI helps use water wisely by looking at the weather and soil³³. This cuts down on wasted water and helps the planet³³. AI finds leaks in water systems, fixing them fast to save water³³. It also uses water smartly, helping us use less and save more³³. AI can predict water problems before they happen, helping us manage water better.

³³ AI makes treating and reusing wastewater better in farming³³. It quickly analyzes complex water quality issues³³. AI makes checking water quality precise and cost-effective³³. It creates detailed maps to find pollution and predict water conditions³³. AI combines data to better detect pollutants, improving water quality over time.

³³ AI gives us easy-to-use apps to check our water at home³³. Devices like Clean Water AI keep an eye on water quality in our homes, making sure it’s safe³³. AI spots contaminants right away, making our drinking water safer³³. It helps predict the Water Quality Index, giving us a full picture of our water’s health³³. AI helps make sure everyone has access to clean drinking water, keeping us healthy.

³⁴ A Deloitte study found 92% of companies using advanced AI got better at being green³⁴. In India, AI helps small farmers save water, using less and getting more from their land³⁴. A London startup uses AI to cut down on food waste, helping recycle more and send less to landfills.

³⁴ AI tech like IoT and digital twins is being used to make buildings and infrastructure more resilient in Asia³⁴. AI can predict big weather events, helping us prepare for climate change³⁴. It tracks animals, watches forests, and protects nature to keep our planet diverse.

³⁴ The UN Environment Program uses AI to study complex data on CO2, glaciers, and sea levels³⁴. AI simulates and improves how we capture and store carbon, fighting climate change³⁴. AI looks at social media to understand how people see climate change and encourages them to act sustainably.

³⁵ A search in Web of Science found 2828 studies on using AI to monitor harmful substances³⁵. AI can track heavy metals, with many studies over the past decade on how to remove them from soil³⁵. AI models help predict how well we can remove heavy metals from soil.

³⁵ AI models for removing heavy metals include different types, like black box and fuzzy logic³⁵. AI sensors and devices check soil and plants for harmful substances in real-time³⁵. They’re more accurate than old methods, give quick updates, and cut down on manual work.

³⁵ E-nose tech can spot dangerous chemicals right away, useful in many areas like checking air quality and finding leaks³⁵. Scientists use online tools to share and use Earth and environmental data, helping with research and protecting the environment.

³⁵ A study on AI for monitoring hazardous substances showed how many papers were written on the topic over time, along with a map of related keywords.

³⁵ AI looks at lots of data to find out about harmful substances and contamination, using machine learning to spot patterns and trends.

AI’s Role in Biodiversity Conservation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a key tool in fighting the global biodiversity crisis. It uses advanced data analysis and predictive skills to change how we watch over and save important natural places and endangered animals³⁶.

AI is great at handling big datasets about biodiversity. It can go through these datasets much faster than humans³⁶. With machine learning, AI can spot changes in land use from space images quickly. This helps conservationists catch deforestation and habitat loss fast³⁶.

AI sensors and drones gather real-time environmental data that was hard or too expensive to get before³⁶. This data, along with AI remote sensing, gives us insights into ecosystem health and biodiversity faster and more accurately than old methods³⁶.

AI algorithms look at satellite images to find deforestation, helping us act quickly³⁶.
AI can tell different species from images and videos, helping researchers study biodiversity³⁶.
Predictive analytics, powered by AI, can predict when species might become endangered by looking at various factors³⁶.

AI is also changing how we do conservation³⁷. AI systems can check pollution levels in real-time and give feedback for quick action. AI models can also predict air and water quality, helping authorities stop pollution before it starts³⁶.

AI’s skill in analyzing big climate datasets is key for climate change research. It helps spot trends and oddities that guide conservation plans³⁶. By using AI in conservation, we can open new ways to protect our planet’s ecosystems and save diverse species³⁷.

AI Capability	Application in Biodiversity Conservation
Data Processing and Analysis	Handling large biodiversity datasets efficiently Identifying land use changes from satellite imagery Extracting meaningful environmental data from remote sensing
Automated Monitoring and Sensing	Real-time data collection using AI-powered sensors and drones Measuring pollution levels and forecasting air/water quality Tracking animal populations and movements
Predictive Analytics	Forecasting endangered species risks Anticipating changes in ecosystems and potential threats Informing proactive conservation strategies

“AI is not just a tool, but a powerful catalyst for transforming the way we approach biodiversity conservation. By harnessing the power of data and predictive analytics, we can make more informed decisions and drive more effective conservation efforts.”

As environmental degradation and biodiversity loss grow, AI in conservation offers hope. By using AI’s abilities, we can watch over, protect, and restore our planet’s ecosystems. This ensures a sustainable future for all living things³⁷.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence is changing the game with its huge potential to tackle our planet’s big environmental issues³⁸³⁹. It helps us monitor and understand environmental data better. This makes it easier to use energy and resources wisely³⁸³⁹. AI is making a big difference in areas like smart energy, farming, and protecting wildlife.

But, as more people use AI, we must make sure it’s used right. We need to focus on its positive effects and reduce the bad ones. Working together, tech creators, environmental experts, and leaders can use AI to help us all live better on Earth³⁸³⁹.

Using AI to protect our environment and make things more sustainable is exciting. But, we must do it carefully and with thought. Let’s keep working on new AI solutions that help both humans and the Earth.

FAQ

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how can it be used in environmental conservation?

AI means systems that can do tasks that usually need human smarts and get better over time. It’s key in fighting environmental issues, like making buildings use less energy, tracking deforestation, and improving renewable energy use.

How is the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) leveraging AI for environmental analysis?

UNEP’s World Environment Situation Room (WESR) uses AI to look at complex data on things like CO2 levels, glacier health, and sea level rise. It aims to be a hub for tracking environmental trends and taking action based on data.

What is the International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) and how does it utilize AI?

IMEO is a UNEP-led project that uses AI to change how we track and cut methane emissions. It’s a global database of methane emissions verified by science. AI connects this data with policy and action to guide decisions.

How is the GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform using AI?

The GEMS Air Pollution Monitoring platform, started by UNEP and IQAir, is the biggest network for air quality info. It uses AI to bring together data from over 25,000 air quality stations. This helps understand how air quality affects health and informs health protection steps.

How can AI help calculate the environmental and climate footprints of products?

AI helps figure out the environmental impact of products from start to finish. This lets businesses and buyers make better choices. It’s key for promoting sustainable shopping online.

The ICT sector is responsible for about 3-4 percent of global emissions, and data centers use a lot of water for cooling. Also, e-waste is a big problem, with only 17.4 percent being recycled right. Efforts are being made to lessen AI and data processing’s environmental impact.

How is AI being used to detect permafrost melting in the Arctic?

Google has given money to the Woodwell Climate Research Center for an open-access tool. This tool uses satellite tech and AI for real-time permafrost thaw tracking in the Arctic. It helps people whose homes might collapse due to permafrost thaw.

What are the ways AI can help ensure food supply in the face of climate change?

AI makes farming more efficient and green by applying fertilizers precisely, making yield maps in real-time, and finding pests early. These advances in precision farming and automation are key for feeding the world despite climate change.

How can AI help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions along the supply chain?

AI automates data analysis, letting environmental firms grow their carbon savings work and reach more small businesses. It also optimizes supply chain operations, logistics, and transport to cut emissions.

How can AI aid in the development of renewable energy sources?

AI boosts wind turbine performance by predicting wind changes and adjusting operations. It also helps solar power predict energy output and optimize system performance, helping renewable energy grow and work better.

How can AI help create smarter energy grids?

AI looks at data from sensors and devices to help utilities manage electricity supply and demand better. It reduces energy waste and improves reliability. AI systems optimize energy generation, distribution, and use for smarter grids.

How can AI aid in sustainable agriculture practices?

AI studies soil data, predicts crop yields, and spots pests and diseases to help farmers produce more with less. AI-powered robots can also remove weeds, supporting sustainable farming.

How can AI improve waste management?

AI analyzes waste data to optimize waste systems, cut waste, and boost recycling. AI robots can sort recyclables from waste, making recycling more efficient and reducing landfill waste.

How can AI aid in water management?

AI looks at water usage, quality, and availability to help cities manage water better, reduce waste, and improve quality. AI systems can find leaks and plan for future water needs, ensuring sustainable water use.

How can AI help address the biodiversity crisis?

AI studies species populations, habitats, and threats to inform conservation efforts and understand complex species-environment relationships. AI tools like remote sensing and predictive modeling offer insights for biodiversity conservation.