Date: 05/01/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; Awareness in the fields of IT, Computers, robotics; Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Key Phrases: Artificial Intelligence, data-based policy framework, weather modeling, Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), data analytics, AI computations, UNESCO, 2022 BCG Climate AI Survey report, Center for Science and Environment (CSE).

Context:

• Experts argue when Artificial intelligence is being used in almost all segments today – Fashion, Business, Sports, Manufacturing, Defence, Medicine and more.
  1. Why can't AI be used to bring solutions to all the earth’s problems?
  2. Can AI frame policies to fight climate change?
• An artificially intelligent robot can help nations to effectively derive a data-based policy framework.
• AI is a powerful tool that can address the challenges posed by climate change.

How can AI help with climate change?

1. Artificial Intelligence based weather modeling for better predictions:
   • AI models which countries are building can directly lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.
   • AI based weather modeling contributes directly to predictions of the environment disasters and therefore helps towards climate change.
   • AI can give us a lot of insight in drafting the policies.
2. Data analysis by Artificial intelligence:
   • A study by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) states that there are four key roles by AI to support the climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts:
     • Big and raw data analysis
     • Prediction and forecasting
     • Advanced scientific modeling
     • Simulations and simplifying complex systems
3. AI provides data on both climate observations as well as the impact of climate observations.
   • Nations should start AI use at a policy level and then enforce it through different organizations and for individual behavioral changes.
   • Climate change is irreversible. What the world could only do is use data for adapting to climate.
   • Every country has a unique way of looking at the problem, but data-based policy making is a universal solution for it.
4. AI based data analytics on climate change can help authorities predict calamities as well as plan mitigation measures.
5. AI helps to make the best climate mitigation policies with high-quality data and open-source technology.

What do you mean by Carbon emission from AI computations?

• The carbon footprint that the satellites and robots emit is very high compared to AI computation emissions, thus climate change mitigation from AI computations is becoming more energy effective and efficient.
• International body, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also aims to work with a multidisciplinary and multi stakeholder group of AI and climate leaders to drive concrete and measurable action rather than rely on satellite imageries which are not carbon efficient.

How can AI aid in Green transformation?

• Incorporating AI in climate policy making and climate-sensitive adaptations.
• Need to continue building on better AI and faster methods of computation to reduce energy demand.
• According to a 2022 BCG Climate AI Survey report, 87 per cent of private and public sector CEOs with decision-making power in AI and climate believe AI is an essential tool in the fight against climate change. Yet, only 43 per cent of them have a vision for how to use it.
• Government should classify business entities into three types –
  • Entities transforming into sustainable businesses.
  • Entities who are learning about AI-based transformations.
  • Entities who are still out of knowledge about green transformation.
• When business entities realize that turning greener will reduce their energy cost, it will inspire them to adopt.

Why is there a need for climate change sensitivity?

• According to the New Delhi-based Center for Science and Environment (CSE), India experienced at least one climate disaster every day in the first nine months of 2022.
• These climate disasters claimed 2,755 lives, affected 1.8 million hectares (ha) of crop area, 416,667 houses and killed over 69,007 animals, states the report.
• These data carry a lot of weight, even if India hasn’t submitted its Long-Term Low Emissions Growth Strategy for low carbon transition pathways.
• As our Prime Minister has once said, “A perception about climate change has been built as if it is only a subject of government policy, but goes beyond policy making.”
• Experts want nations to capture and assess their progress toward enhancing resilience and make more detailed and ambitious commitments in their national climate plans.

Way Forward:

• As Gandhi rightly said, “The Earth provides enough for every man’s need but not for every man’s greed", it's high time that we foresee the disastrous future that we're creating and stop from making our own graves.
• UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called the IPCC report “a code red for humanity,” he rightly insists that it must “sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels before they destroy our planet.”

Source: The Hindu BL

Mains Question:

Q. The IPCC reports make it clear that climate change targets are not comprehensive enough. As the cost of climate change reaches irreversible highs, now is the time to explore more Artificial Intelligence based climate change planning as a bold step towards climate change mitigations and adaptations. Discuss. ( 15 marks).