AI for Climate Change and Sustainability

Abstract

Climate change stands as one of the most significant existential threats of the 21st century, with far-reaching impacts on ecosystems, economies, and the well-being of humanity. Despite the existence of global awareness and policy frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement, efforts for effective mitigation and adaptation are still progressing at a slow and inadequate pace. In this landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology that holds the potential to tackle climate-related challenges on a large scale. This paper investigates the ways in which AI can aid in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and sustainability across diverse sectors. We start by delving into the scientific foundations and socioeconomic ramifications of climate change to establish a comprehensive understanding of the crisis at hand. Following this, we examine the contributions of AI in various areas, including climate modeling, predictive analytics, early warning systems, agricultural practices, land management, and disaster response mechanisms. Case studies from the real world illustrate successful applications of AI in fields such as renewable energy management, intelligent urban infrastructure, and ecosystem monitoring. Nevertheless, we also critically assess the shortcomings of existing AI systems, with particular emphasis on challenges related to data quality, algorithmic bias, and ethical considerations in deployment. The paper advocates for the advancement of AI systems that are less biased, more inclusive, and incorporate human judgment, ensuring alignment with planetary health objectives and supporting informed decision-making in regions that are particularly vulnerable. By integrating developments in AI and climate science, this research provides a multi-faceted perspective on how intelligent systems can enhance climate resilience and sustainability initiatives. While AI alone is not a panacea, when developed with care and applied ethically, it can be instrumental in fostering a more sustainable future.