Week 3
URL:
Prof: I had to fix this link.
Problem:
The issue of climate change is of worldwide concern, and as such, there is a complex network of data collected from a variety of institutions spanning the globe. Through technological innovation there is more data available today than ever before, but how that data is accessed, interpreted and acted on is crucial to managing these crises. Managing all of this data is a very difficult task to plan and coordinate in a worldwide network of people. Therefore the rate at which we are able to sort through, and act on the data collected is of great importance in regards to acting quickly on the ever present threats of climate change.
Summary:
AI can prove to be a very useful tool in not only watching signs of environmental challenges but also in improving current environmental management systems. Creating real time analysis is the first implication mentioned in the article, making predictions on factors such as rising sea levels and carbon dioxide emissions. Increasing user-friendliness is an important factor here. Monitoring methane emissions’ accuracy and transparency can be improved with AI as well. There have been several air quality tracking stations set up around the world and these have been powered by AI to enable change at faster paces. Environmental footprints are an important concept discussed in this article. Focus on different parts of a value chain and not only on a singular part of a production life cycle. Lastly, we can reduce information and communication technology based emissions. This also then reduces the environmental footprint caused by various industries.
Economic Concepts:
- Technology forcing role
Technological forcing role is a tactic that implements standards to force industries to be innovative and create or use new technologies that adhere to more stringent safety or environmental regulations. By doing so, the government is able to accelerate technical developments that lessen their negative effects on the environment and enhance health and safety standards. Additionally, the firms don’t lose out on profits, but gain a competitive edge due to its clean practices. This strategy has been used to control pollution, renewable energy, and car emissions, advancing the adoption of more environmentally friendly behaviors.
Prof: Note that the technology forcing role of standards, where standards can force efficiency enhancing innovations that otherwise would not occur, is hypothesised. Evidence is mixed.
- Environmental Footprint
An environmental footprint is the idea that each person or company has a quantifiable effect on the environment. It measures the weight of several common actions that lead to either positive or negative effects on our ecosystem such as how many tons of C02 emissions are produced, growing your own garden food, or how much hot water is used by a specific party. A footprint shows where pollution originates and provides suggestions for how to improve. Each action is given a weight on the environment depending on the amount of damage/support it provides. Where higher numbers mean a worse effect on the environment. These scores are not perfect as they are often self reported or the weight of an action is generalized.
Application:
- Technology forcing role: The article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to address environmental challenges by analyzing large datasets, monitoring emissions, and optimizing renewable energy. In the context of technological forcing role in environmental economics, AI can push industries to adopt cleaner technologies and practices by improving transparency and enabling real-time monitoring. For instance, AI-driven platforms like UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory enhance the ability to track methane emissions, forcing industries to reduce their environmental footprint, thus driving innovation in sustainable technologies. AI acts as a catalyst, encouraging compliance with environmental regulations.
Prof: You have not linked the information provided by AI to the standard that would force innovation. The role of AI, as I read the article, is providing high quality information on the state of the global environment. It would be the role of governments to implement standards, and then those standards might be efficiency enhancing, as in the Porter hypothesis.
- Environmental Footprint:
Implementing AI to measure the environmental impact of an action will lead to a much more precise measurement of the action’s weight on the environment. Not only for specific people who want to be more green but for measuring in greater detail how a product affects the environment by observing its entire lifecycle. AI will also be able to measure larger metrics such as which countries are the largest polluters while also identifying the best areas to make changes in for reducing emissions. Such as reducing emissions from methane in the energy sector to prevent air quality reductions. Or highlighting improper disposal issues with e-waste and recommending that people reduce their consumption of or recycle these products to prevent this.
Conclusion:
Artificial intelligence offers a vital pathway to combat climate change. By leveraging AI, we can enhance real-time data analysis and transparency, thereby fostering compliance with stricter regulations through the technology forcing role. This encourages industries to innovate and adopt cleaner practices while maintaining profitability. Additionally, AI's ability to measure and analyze our environmental footprint allows for precise identification of impactful actions and areas for improvement. Together, these advancements position us to make informed decisions that drive meaningful reductions in emissions, helping us to achieve a more sustainable future.