Combating Climate Change With Emerging Technologies 

Climate change poses a serious threat to future generations. Over the past few decades, emissions of greenhouse gases increased globally, resulting in warmer temperatures. The year 2023 was the warmest year on record with the global average temperature 1.45 degree above pre-industrial levels. 

Extreme temperatures are leading to droughts, heat waves, floods, fires, and cyclones – leading to social and economic losses. Between 2000 and 2019, economic losses from climate change stood at roughly $2.8 trillion with an hourly loss of $16 million. The impacts of extreme weather events are even more scarring in low-income countries. 

Temperatures are expected to continue rising in the coming years. Unless sustainable practices are adopted, the world will continue to see temperatures rise, and will continue to experience economic and environmental loss. 

Governments are mindful of the urgent need for change and are pushing for more sustainable practices and taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, many are incentivizing the use of clean energy and cleaner vehicles through subsidies and other kinds of policy support. Banks and financial institutions, on their part, are supporting their clients’ decarbonization efforts through their funding efforts—this includes instruments like green bonds and loans. Moreover, consumers are increasingly aware of the effects of climate change and are pressuring companies to engage in more sustainable practices.

At the center of all efforts to combat climate change is technology which helps identify major sources of emissions, enhances energy efficiency, and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

How Has Technology Contributed in Addressing Climate Change? 

Technological advances have been instrumental in the move towards clean energy, and they will play a pivotal role in the shift to net zero. 

Technological progress has driven automobile companies to offer an array of electric and hybrid vehicles. Given road transportation accounts for 15% of global emissions, the shift to electric vehicles is essential to achieve decarbonization. Tech advancements (and subsidies by governments) are helping bring down the costs of EVs significantly, making them more accessible to people. 

A rapidly growing global population goes hand in hand with increased demand for goods, which in turn puts pressure on finite resources. Companies are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectricity to reduce emissions from energy production. Technological advancements are making the cost of clean energy more viable, resulting in greater adoption of renewable energy globally. 

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, machine learning, cloud computing, and the internet of things have utilized past weather patterns to predict potential dangers in advance and helped mitigate climate change. This has helped protect the most vulnerable sections of society from the adverse effects of extreme climate events. 

Technology has helped Nepal mitigate the risks of hydro-meteorological hazards. Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority is using automation technology to make climate-informed decisions by analyzing past, present, and potential future climate risks. By using a combination of weather factors such as wind speed, humidity, rainfall, differences in temperature, early warning systems are able to anticipate climate related events. This helps in disaster preparedness and plan rescue efforts. 

The United Nations is using artificial intelligence to protect vulnerable communities in Africa from the risks of climate change. Artificial intelligence powered technologies are processing voluminous datasets to predict climate change patterns. This initiative is helping protect vulnerable communities by formulating disaster response strategies.  

Google is tackling climate change by harnessing artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Google uses digital technologies to suggest fuel-efficient routes for Google maps users and reduce emissions from transportation. Google’s flood hub platform provides real-time information to prepare for floods from sustained rainfall. Artificial intelligence provides maps for jet exhausts and helps pilots select alternative routes. 

The Road Ahead to Fight Climate Change Using Technology

Whether it is improving energy efficiency, curbing carbon emissions or protecting vulnerable communities from climate threats, technology has played a key role. Therefore, harnessing technology will remain central to any climate change mitigation effort in the future. 

Technology (in tandem with the right policies) has immense potential to expedite the development, scalability, and affordability of sustainable energy sources. Investments in research and development of new technologies and technological innovation is essential to accelerate the transition to net zero.  

Photo Caption: Technology will remain central in the fight against climate change.