The world is becoming increasingly green. Not with envy. But with reverence for the Earth and its beauty. Thanks to the effect that digitisation has had on globalisation, we can now understand our collective impact on the planet.
Climate change. Ocean health. Biodiversity and conservation. The information that we now have access to paints us a gloomy picture of the damage we’ve done (and continue to do).
Global temperatures are set to rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius, with carbon emissions reaching 36.44 billion metric tonnes in 2019. Over a million species of animals are at risk of extinction by climate change. Then, heat-related deaths, wildfires and stronger hurricanes are also on a steady rise.
Leaders are needed more than ever to set stricter regulations, invest in sustainable technologies and drive greener initiatives.
The best way to get started? With AI and data-driven decision making.
Which requires one, essential thing: Digital Transformation.
Eco-Conscious Consumers Are on The Rise
With a mass of global effort to help solve these issues, sustainability is becoming increasingly important.
Especially in the business space. Where customers are more eco-conscious than ever before.
- According to Statista, as of 2020, 45% of consumers are more interested in finding brands that are sustainable or environmentally responsible. And 44% of consumers have more interest in brands that support recycling.
- A report by Deloitte revealed that 34% of UK consumers choose brands that have environmentally sustainable practices/values and 28% stopped purchasing certain brands or products because of ethical or sustainability related concerns.
As more data spills in, attention towards healthier practices will continue to grow.
And while many remain apathetic, the next wave of spenders take the environment and sustainability very seriously.
- “Gen Z are adopting more sustainable behaviours than any other groups: 50% reduced how much they buy and 45% stopped purchasing certain brands because of ethical or sustainability concerns. As wealth transfers to younger generations, sustainability and ethical considerations will need to become the standard and should be transparent throughout the value chain”. – Deloitte
Becoming More Environmentally Sustainable Through AI
Technology has enabled us to spark awareness. It has given us the necessary tools to collect, share and disseminate information. And seamlessly. It has created an ecosystem of collaboration – where social media movements can disrupt industries.
And it’s capable of improving the impact and footprint we leave on the Earth.
AI allows for technology to become more like us. To understand, sympathise with, respond to, and aid us in ways that we know only humans can. Simply, the better we’re able to communicate with tech, the more we can achieve as a collective.
And so digital transformation becomes essential.
Acting as the foundation to AI, digital transformation takes an ordinary business and gives it the ability to thrive, compete and remain resilient in an age of rapid advancement.
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This form of transformation is also much bigger than a simple IT upgrade. Entire organisations needs to adapt and change. All the way from c-suite through to the staff that make use of these new toolsets
So How Can AI Benefit The Environment?
AI has huge potential to help the environment and promote sustainability in a number of ways.
In fact, it’s already being used to help with climate change, wildlife conservation, water and ocean health, as well as weather/disaster resilience.
Self-Driving Cars and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)
AI allows cars and even other modes of transportation capabilities like route and fuel optimisation, eco-friendly algorithms for sustainable driving, and autonomous ride-sharing. Each bringing significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Agriculture, Food and Farming
Through AI-driven smart agriculture, water usage can be reduced, pesticides and fertilisers can be better monitored and used correctly, and resource usage can be optimised to cut back on waste.
Rapid Disaster Response
AI has the ability to analyse and offer insights based on data captured from natural events (weather, earthquakes, etc.). With that, it’s able to identify weaknesses and improve on disaster prevention, which will end up saving many lives in the process.
Energy Grid Optimisation
Predicting supply and demand for renewable resources becomes a whole lot easier with AI. With more accurate insights, things such as efficiency and load management, energy storage, and distribution channels will all be majorly improved upon. The result? A significant reduction in the (ab)use of fossil fuels.
Even big tech companies are making great use of AI:
- Google uses an AI model that reduces the energy load of their data centres. Resulting in 40% lower energy costs in cooling.
- IBM uses AI for more accurate weather forecasting, with predictions being 30% more accurate. Therefore, helping renewable energy companies better manage their plants, maximising renewable energy production and reducing carbon emissions.
Become More Sustainable in 2022… With AI!
While we inch closer towards parking lots filled with self-driving cars, holographic televisions and virtual hangouts, a future weaved with AI is inevitable.
And digital transformation comes to act as your ticket to compete in an AI-driven world.
The key to success lies in your data. In your ability to innovate, compete and affect change in the space around you.
Use AI to enrich your business and make a positive impact on the environment.
