Environmental groups warn against overreliance on AI to solve climate crisis

Environmental groups warn against the belief that AI will be a savior in the fight against climate change, warning instead that it could exacerbate the crisis. While AI has been praised for its potential to monitor environmental changes and reduce emissions, critics argue that the technology will lead to increased energy consumption and the spread of climate misinformation.

They emphasize that the energy demands of AI, particularly from data centers, will significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The complexity of AI operations, which require up to 10 times more computing power than regular searches, contributes to this. For example, coal-fired power plants in the US are being extended to meet AI’s rising energy demands, potentially matching Sweden’s consumption in three years. Additionally, they raise concerns about AI’s role in facilitating false information about climate science in platforms such as X, through methods such as deepfake videos and pictures.

Despite some potential benefits, such as aiding in climate modeling and disaster prediction, skeptics urge companies to be transparent about their energy usage and take measures to mitigate the negative impacts of AI on the environment.

Why does it matter?

While there are potential benefits in AI applications for climate mitigation, such as modeling and tracking illegal activities, transparency is needed regarding their impacts on sustainable development. In December of last year, several environmental and tech accountability groups sent a letter to the White House urging climate-focused policies in the administration’s AI executive order. This is a common call from environmentalists, and with the emergence of AI applications for commercial purposes, it appears to be a topic that will take center stage in policy discussions.