How AI can be used to fight climate change.
by Leo Strijbos
The climate has been a focal point of the news lately. With the recent COP26 summit, the eyes are on scientists and politicians to come up with some answers-and fast!
Machine learning researchers have been playing their part in the searching for new solutions too, and have come up with some truly innovative remedies.
Furthermore, the development of the underlying technologies behind tracking of climate change have also come looking at the ever-developing field of machine learning for answers.
Let’s see how machine learning can help to get us out of this mess.
Solution #1: Monitoring deforestation
One of the main sub-fields of AI, computer vision largely concerns itself with seeing patterns and detecting objects in images.
Obviously, this tool was exactly what is needed for biologists and forest rangers.
Mainly in the Amazon, machine learning has been used in cameras mounted throughout the rainforest. These algorithms monitor the camera feed continuously, allowing it to get a measure of plant and animal biodiversity across different parts of the rainforest.
Furthermore, sensors are used in numerous locations across the rainforest, measuring temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc. Through the use of machine learning, patterns can be found within this data, allowing biologists to track down where the effects of climate change are being felt the most.
Also in the Amazon, rangers are putting cellphones in several parts of the rainforest. Equipped with specialised machine learning algorithms, these phones can detect the sound of chainsaws, and alert the rangers to illegal deforestation.
Pretty cool, eh? Unfortunately, deforestation isn’t the only problem with the Earth right now.
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Solution #2: Predicting natural disasters
As climate change makes weather become more extreme, humans have to learn to live in this new world. A huge part of that, is learning how to predict and avoid natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and landslides.
In recent years, scientists concerned about the environment have been collecting huge amounts of data about the world around us. What better use of this data, than to use it to protect humans in the future?
A major reason why climate data has become so abundant, is the fact that sensors are getting cheaper and more easily available. Combine that with their increasing accuracy and durability, and you understand why scientists say that we are living in the age of big data.
One of the major use-cases of machine learning currently, is to monitor and sieve through large amounts of data. Sound familiar?
The data is perfect for AI to be trained on, and thus machine learning researchers are training algorithms on data, to allow them to predict upcoming natural disasters.
Now that we know that more extreme weather is coming, what can we do about it?
Solution #3: Using AI to simulate the effects of extreme weather
As our climate worsens, are our buildings and infrastructure still secure? Machine learning can find out!
Due to recent advances in the fields of AI and computer graphics, machine learning is now able to simulate natural phenomena in a level of detail not seen before.
Previous simulations include collisions, snow and water (notoriously difficult). So why not do this for extreme weather conditions?
By simulating weather from rain, to wind, to sandstorms, and its effect on buildings, civil engineers and architects will be able to design projects that will survive for the next hundred years.
Cool! These were just three ways that machine learning can help to combat climate change, but in the next couple of years there will be hundreds or thousands more.
If you can think of any, leave a comment down below or email me directly.
Also, if you enjoyed this article, I have a couple more on machine learning, virtual reality and the blockchain, so feel free to check them out.
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