Solutions & Results
Boosting Efforts and Efficiency in the Fight Against Climate Change
In the face of escalating climate challenges, our schools from different countries;Spain,Portugal,Greece,Croatia,Sweden,Romania and nonprofit from Türkiye are pivotal in driving impactful solutions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance these efforts by providing powerful tools to boost efficiency and effectiveness.
That is why, with support from Erasmus+, we launched AI for Changemakers, an acceleration program for ambitious and AI-ready nonprofits. Our mission is to support schools and nonprofits on their AI journey by defining their AI strategy and connecting them with tech companies willing to partner with them pro bono.
Let’s explore how climate nonprofits can harness AI, supported by insights from leading experts and practical examples.
The Power of AI in Climate Action
“Our climate-related initiatives, including the Zero Hunger Hackathon and Air Quality Hackathon, as well as the #AI@ForClimate campaign, have demonstrated that technological solutions can boost nonprofits. Given the urgency of climate-related issues and the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, leveraging AI’s potential is essential in today’s context
Deforestation Mapping
AI, combined with satellite imagery and ecological expertise, offers a powerful tool for monitoring deforestation. According to the World Economic Forum, AI systems can rapidly process satellite data to map deforestation and assess its impact in real-time.
Impact Data:
- Speed: Reduces analysis time from days to hours.
- Accuracy: Enhances detection accuracy, identifying patterns missed by traditional methods.
Waste Management and Recycling
AI systems optimize waste management processes, leading to higher recycling rates and reduced landfill usage. By analyzing waste composition and improving sorting processes, AI helps develop efficient recycling programs.
Impact Data:
- Efficiency: Improves sorting accuracy by up to 90%.
- Environmental Benefit: Reduces CO2 emissions from landfills by up to 20%
- Precision Agriculture
AI technologies revolutionize agriculture through precision farming practices. AI-powered systems analyze data from soil sensors, weather forecasts, and crop health monitors to optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control.
Impact Data:
- Resource Use: Reduces water usage by up to 30% and fertilizer use by 20%.
- Yield Improvement: Increases crop yields by 10-15%, ensuring food security and sustainability.
- Smart Water Management
AI can optimize water usage in agriculture and urban areas by predicting water needs based on weather data and soil moisture levels. This helps in conserving water and reducing the energy required for irrigation.
Impact Data:
- Water Conservation: Reduces water consumption by up to 20%.
- Energy Efficiency: Lowers energy use in water management systems by optimizing pump schedules.
- Ocean Conservation and Protection
AI plays a crucial role in monitoring and protecting ocean ecosystems. AI-powered systems can analyze satellite and underwater drone data to track illegal fishing activities, monitor coral reef health, and predict changes in marine biodiversity.
Impact Data:
- Illegal Fishing: AI can help reduce illegal fishing activities by up to 30% by providing real-time monitoring and alerts.
- Coral Health: AI enhances the accuracy of coral health assessments, allowing for timely interventions to prevent coral bleaching.
Boosting Nonprofit Efforts with AI
Key Benefits of AI for Nonprofits
- Data-Driven Decisions: Provides actionable insights, enabling strategic planning and implementation.
- Efficiency and Scale: Automates and optimizes processes, achieving greater impact with limited resources.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Facilitates continuous environmental monitoring for timely interventions.
Conclusion
AI is not a panacea but a critical tool that significantly enhances the efforts of nonprofits. By integrating AI into their operations, nonprofits can improve efficiency, scale their impact, and make informed decisions, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future. Embracing AI can transform climate action initiatives, driving progress and innovation in the fight against one of the greatest challenges of our time.
8 ways AI is helping tackle climate change
1. Icebergs are melting – AI knows where and how fast
AI tools that predict weather, track icebergs, recycle more waste and find plastic in the ocean are helping to combat climate change. Here are 8 examples.
AI has been trained to measure changes in icebergs 10,000 times faster than a human could do it.
This will help scientists understand how much meltwater icebergs release into the ocean
For humans, this task is lengthy and time-consuming, and it’s hard to identify icebergs amid the white of clouds and sea ice.
Mapping deforestation with AI
AI, satellite images and ecology expertise are also being used to map the impact of deforestation on the climate crisis.
The company’s technology remotely measures metrics, such as deforestation rates and how much carbon is stored in a forest.
AI is helping communities facing climate risks in Africa
In Africa, AI is being used in a United Nations project to help communities vulnerable to climate change in Burundi, Chad and Sudan.
The IKI Project uses AI technology to help predict weather patterns, so communities and authorities can better plan how to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact.
This includes improving access to clean energy, implementing proper waste management systems and encouraging reforestation.
Using AI to recycle more waste
Another AI system is helping to tackle climate change by making waste management more efficient.
Waste is a big producer of methane and is responsible for 16% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
It has been developed an AI system that analyzes waste processing and recycling facilities to help them recover and recycle more waste material.
It has been tracked 32 billion waste items across 67 waste categories in 2022, and says it identifies 86 tonnes of material on average that could be recovered but is being sent to landfill.
AI is helping to fight climate change in systems, including those that identify plastic pollution in the ocean. Image: The Ocean Cleanup
AI is cleaning up the ocean
In the Netherlands, an environmental organization called The Ocean Cleanup is using AI and other technologies to help clear plastic pollution from the ocean.
AI that detects objects is helping the organization create detailed maps of ocean litter in remote locations. The ocean waste can then be gathered and removed, which is more efficient than previous cleanup methods using trawlers and aeroplanes.
Have you read?
- Machine versus virus: Deploying artificial intelligence against future pandemics
- How artificial intelligence could help the fight against COVID-19
Plastic pollution contributes to climate change by emitting GHGs and harming nature
AI helps predict climate disasters
AI to predict where and when climate disasters will occur, and what type of climate disasters they will be.
The aim is to help businesses and governments better prepare for climate change and the growing challenges for communities that come with it.
The company works in industries including insurance, energy, logistics and sport, where its analysis of disaster conditions and factors such as air quality can inform decisions on whether to delay or suspend events.
A wish list of AI climate tools
Google DeepMind, Google’s AI research laboratory, says it is applying AI to help fight climate change in a number of areas.
This includes building a complete wishlist of datasets that would advance global AI solutions for climate change. Google DeepMind is working on this with Climate Change AI, a non-profit organization set up by volunteers from academia and industry who see a key role for machine learning in combating climate change.
Other Google AI tools are focused on improving weather forecasting and increasing the value of wind energy by better predicting the output from a wind farm.
AI is helping to fight climate change in systems, including those that identify plastic pollution in the ocean. Image: The Ocean Cleanup
AI is cleaning up the ocean
In the Netherlands, an environmental organization called The Ocean Cleanup is using AI and other technologies to help clear plastic pollution from the ocean.
AI that detects objects is helping the organization create detailed maps of ocean litter in remote locations. The ocean waste can then be gathered and removed, which is more efficient than previous cleanup methods using trawlers and aeroplanes.
Have you read?
- Machine versus virus: Deploying artificial intelligence against future pandemics
- How artificial intelligence could help the fight against COVID-19
Plastic pollution contributes to climate change by emitting GHGs and harming nature
AI helps predict climate disasters
AI to predict where and when climate disasters will occur, and what type of climate disasters they will be.
The aim is to help businesses and governments better prepare for climate change and the growing challenges for communities that come with it.
The company works in industries including insurance, energy, logistics and sport, where its analysis of disaster conditions and factors such as air quality can inform decisions on whether to delay or suspend events.
A wish list of AI climate tools
Google DeepMind, Google’s AI research laboratory, says it is applying AI to help fight climate change in a number of areas.
This includes building a complete wishlist of datasets that would advance global AI solutions for climate change. Google DeepMind is working on this with Climate Change AI, a non-profit organization set up by volunteers from academia and industry who see a key role for machine learning in combating climate change.
Other Google AI tools are focused on improving weather forecasting and increasing the value of wind energy by better predicting the output from a wind farm.
5 Insights into AI as a Double-Edged Sword in Climate Action
AI can enhance climate action but needs ethical regulation and greener tech to prevent risks and inequalities.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to “supercharge” climate action, however, there are also risks coming with the technology especially if it is unregulated and without safeguards. The UNFCCC Climate Summit COP 28 set the stage for exploring how AI can help tackle climate change. Here are 5 insights into the advantages and challenges of using AI in the fight against climate change:
1-) AI can propel the world towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals
AI has the potential to advance and scale up transformative climate solutions, for example regarding mitigation and adaptation action. For instance, AI can be used to predict climate patterns and extreme weather events, improve crop yields, reduce water usage or optimize renewable energy systems.
2-) AI enables sophisticated climate modelling and simulation
Scientists and policymakers can greatly benefit from AI to understand complex climate systems and simulate scenarios to assess potential impacts of policies and interventions. However, AI models can be complex and difficult to interpret, raising concerns about transparency and bias in decision-making. Ensuring AI models are created and implemented in a way that adheres to ethical standards and principles, for instance by being non-discriminatory and transparent, is crucial for their effective use in climate action.
3-) Ethical and safe use of AI for climate action requires strong regulation and frameworks
Potentially, AI could contribute to rather than shrink global inequality. Currently, gaps exist between AI providers, governments and AI users. AI’s effectiveness depends on data quality and the availability of suitable infrastructure. In some regions or sectors, lack of advanced technology or reliable data may hinder AI’s potential in climate action. Often, these are places in the Global South, where communities are already at the frontline of climate change impacts, while most research in AI is conducted in the Global North. Equal access to AI demands awareness of existing digital divides, data gaps and biases.
4-) AI can revolutionize conservation and natural resource management
AI-powered systems can monitor ecosystems, wildlife habitats and natural resources more efficiently than traditional methods, enhancing conservation efforts, biodiversity preservation and sustainable resource management. For example, AI can make solar panels smart. A smart solar panel functions similar to sunflowers: it always turns towards the sun, making the solar power technique as efficient as it can be.
5-) Enhancing climate change mitigation and resilience requires greener AI systems
AI can improve early warning systems for natural hazards like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, boosting response times and reducing human casualties. It also aids in post-disaster recovery through rapid damage assessment and resource allocation. However, AI applications use big data to do so and therefore collect and analyse large amounts of data, which raises privacy concerns and demands significant energy for processing. Balancing the benefits of enhanced resilience with ethical considerations regarding data privacy, consent and energy consumption is critical. Making AI more sustainable and environmentally friendly is necessary throughout all AI applications. It is key to ensuring that advancements in AI contribute to mitigating climate change rather than worsening its impacts.
10 ways AI is helping solve climate change
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized this century’s way of life. Today, about 42% large organisations report using AI while an additional 40% are actively exploring its use, according to research by IBM. However, one of the most significant uses for AI is in finding technological solutions for climate change. As the climate crisis continues to threaten social and economic systems worldwide, we may find ways to harness AI for our collective good.
It’s no secret that AI requires a large amount of computing power, and energy used for computing contributes to climate change . There is potential for AI’s benefits to outweigh its impacts, however, in accelerating our efforts to make meaningful progress. This is especially true if we use renewable sources like solar power and wind to make electricity production more sustainable overall.
Upgrading the power grid to efficiently incorporate renewables is in fact one area where AI can help. The idea is to create a smart grid composed of AI sensors and automated controls that can efficiently transmit electricity from many different energy sources and guard against surges or blackouts.
In addition to such possibilities sustainable, there are ways that AI might be able to help solve the very biggest challenges facing our planet.
Urban planning
Urban planning is the science of deciding while expanding a city or town. From infrastructure to environment and transportation, the idea is to balance economic growth with environmental protection and sustainability.
Urban planning by highlighting various ways to make cities greener, such as integrating technology or adapting infrastructure. He highlights the crucial role of artificial intelligence in boosting the effectiveness of these strategies.
Some ways that AI can improve our cities are:
- AI can predict weather patterns and track environmental changes, helping designers better equip their plans to withstand changing conditions.
- AI modelling can simulate future climate change scenarios, enabling designers to consider project performance. For instance, an AI model can simulate 2050 flooding scenarios, aiding designers in incorporating protective measures.
- With AI engineers can design to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. This is by using big data algorithms to identify patterns humans may miss and find new opportunities for efficiency.
In the future, AI might help create more personalized urban planning strategies for cities.
Route planning
Transportation currently accounts for 20% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Effective route planning can reduce carbon emissions by minimizing the distances traveled and the amount of fuel consumed. With AI, it becomes even more powerful. A few opportunities for automated intelligent route planning include:
- Real-time traffic data and AI algorithms minimize wasted time in traffic, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
- AI allows for route planning that takes weather conditions into account, leading to decreased fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
- AI-powered delivery route optimization reduces the number of trips for delivery trucks, saving fuel and cutting emissions.
In the future, expect AI to develop more advanced models that optimize multiple variables simultaneously, like delivery times, vehicle capacity and fuel efficiency.
Accident reduction
From minor road incidents to major oil spills, accidents can result in a lot of waste, unnecessary energy consumption, and fuel usage. They often cause significant harm to the environment.
By analyzing common causes of accidents and mistakes made in addressing them, AI can develop strategies to avoid incidents. For instance,AI -powered driver coaching can provide real-time alerts to drivers about potential hazards or risky driving behaviors, reducing the likelihood of an accident.
AI could help prevent large-scale accidents too. For example, predictive models could anticipate potential failures in oil pipelines or drilling equipment and prompt preventative measures, minimizing the risk of devastating oil spills.
Satellite analysis
Satellite systems are vital for monitoring Earth’s climate and detecting changes of concern. This technology tracks weather patterns, monitors sea ice changes and identifies anomalies like sudden increases in greenhouse gasses. AI can take these capabilities even further.
Machine learning (ML) algorithms can recognize specific patterns or anomalies in satellite imagery, enabling quicker and more accurate detection of potential issues. For example, AI has been used to detect deforestaton in the Amazon rainforest. In the future, AI might be able to analyze even more complex and large-scale satellite data to enhance predictive models for climate change.
Remote monitoring
With remote monitoring, scientists can keep tabs on different environmental factors like weather conditions, air quality, ecosystem shifts and wildlife migration patterns. AI can automate these processes, making remote monitoring more efficient and scalable.
ML algorithms analyze data, identify trends and anomalies and predict future changes based on past patterns. For instance, drones and AI tools are used for providing real-time data on coral bleaching, water quality and other critical indicators.
Weather forecasting
Accurate weather forecasting is crucial as climate change makes weather patterns less predictable worldwide. AI can greatly enhance forecasting by analyzing data, identifying patterns and making precise predictions for short-term and long-term weather patterns. For instance,AI provides high-resolution weather forecasts, benefiting industries like agriculture and renewable energy.
As for future improvements, AI could integrate more data sources and variables to create even more accurate weather forecasts.
Disaster analysis
Analyzing disasters is a must to better prepare and respond to future events. Understanding patterns, causes and effects of varying types of disasters makes it easier to develop effective safety strategies. AI plays a significant role by processing vast amounts of data from disasters to identify warning signs and typical progression patterns. This enables early warnings and timely evacuations, saving lives and reducing property damage.
For example, AI can analyze many datasets to predict not only the path of a hurricane, but also the likely infrastructure damage to prepare for in the areas it will hit. AI can also be used to study the climate and vegetation in areas prone to wildfire outbreaks and thus craft specific fire containment or evacuation strategies.
Resource management
Managing resources effectively is crucial in tackling climate change. This means taking a closer look at how resources in areas like agriculture, manufacturing and emergency response, among others, are handled. Optimizing how these resources are used can reduce waste, decrease emissions, and improve overall efficiency.
AI can analyze resource usage and identify opportunities for optimization. Machine learning algorithms can predict resources based on various factors, enabling more accurate planning and allocation. In manufacturing, AI can optimize production processes to reduce waste and energy consumption. With advancing AI capabilities, we may see more efficient and sustainable use of resources across all sectors.
Agricultural planning
Inadequate agricultural planning can worsen climate change and its effects by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, soil erosion and habitat destruction. To combat this, it’s crucial to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Fortunately, AI can help by assessing the environmental impacts of agriculture and calculating ways to minimize them.
ML models can predict the outcomes of different farming practices and suggest optimal strategies. For example,AI can guide precision farming, making sure precious resources like water and fertilizers are used in the most efficient way possible. AI can also provide real-time data on soil health, crop yields and even pest infestations, helping farmers make better decisions.
Risk assessment
One of the most important aspects of climate change management is risk assessment — identifying potential hazards, assessing their likelihood and impact and developing response options. AI enhances this process by analyzing vast amounts of data to identify potential risks and create predictive models. This not only helps in disaster preparedness but also allows for better risk management strategies.
For instance,AI can analyze risks of sea -level rise for coastal communities and suggest appropriate adaptation measures. Moreover, AI can model different response options, helping decision-makers choose the most effective strategies.
Ultimately, as the climate continues to challenge us, AI will play an increasingly important part in combating its effects. With advancements in technology and data collection, expect to see even more innovative uses in addressing climate change.
The project has been funded with support from the European Commission. The projects results reflect the view only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
