Curbing global emissions is imperative for the health of the planet, with consequences that are already taking place around the world. Countless nations have expressed commitments to help reduce emissions and many have even enacted policies to support things like clean energy initiatives.
However, the global temperature continues to rise. So, what is going wrong? The only way to find out is through extensive data on emissions from every corner of the world. Experts believe the best way to collect this data is by launching AI-powered satellites into orbit.
Emissions Data Is Critical for Climate Policy
Many major climate and emissions policies have made headlines over recent years, such as the Paris Climate Accords or the initiatives detailed at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conferences. The attention surrounding these summits, conferences, policies, and plans is surging as the general public becomes increasingly aware of the importance of addressing emissions. Young people in particular have been speaking out about the need for more substantial climate action.
One of the main issues with climate action today is that progress is incredibly difficult to measure, especially on a global scale. We have general emissions data but lack specifics. For example, EPA studies show carbon dioxide and methane are the greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, largely coming from the electricity, agriculture, and industry sectors.
National leaders have even instituted new regulations to address emissions from certain industries, such as methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
However, without detailed data, we can’t see exactly where emissions are coming from. Today’s emissions standards are reliant on the data collection abilities of the world’s largest nations. There could very well be blind spots in that data collection that could be critical to addressing climate change.
The Role of AI in Data Collection
Today’s climate leaders are backing an innovative approach to emissions data collection. Most notably, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is a vocal proponent of using AI and satellites to get a detailed, big-picture view of global emissions.
“The purpose is to get real-time or near-real-time measurements of where all this greenhouse gas pollution is coming from,” Gore commented at the World Economic Forum’s January 2022 Davos Agenda.
Gore went on to explain that the technology he suggested would be able to pinpoint the top 500 emissions emitters in every single economic sector. Additionally, the satellites would be able to collect comprehensive data, covering every area of the globe. This is not possible with ground-based data collection, especially for nations with less climate action funding available.
These AI satellites would have a significant advantage over data collection technology even in wealthy nations like the U.S. From orbit, emissions data can be constantly and autonomously updated. AI algorithms are excellent at pattern recognition, so identifying sources of emissions around the globe is already possible with today’s technology.
If multiple nations came together to fund the development of this satellite, or a fleet of satellites, the AI algorithm could be made even more efficient and effective. Additionally, since the satellite is not on the ground and therefore not rooted to any one nation’s territory, all nations would be held accountable for their emissions at once. Even nations without the tech to track emissions reductions could set and pursue emissions standards, thanks to the world community’s AI climate satellites.
Infrastructure and Key Players in Climate AI
Where will these satellites come from, though, and how will they get to orbit? While many individual nations are capable of independently developing and launching one of these satellites, the world may be best served if the project involves a team of nations and private companies working together. This promotes accountability, community, and transparency.
For example, proponents of AI satellite technology have suggested big tech companies could develop and support the AI algorithm for the project. This would be beneficial for these large companies as well as the project as a whole. Big tech companies have the knowledge and infrastructure to create a high-quality algorithm and store the massive amounts of data it would collect.
At the same time, these companies are working hard to build trust with consumers and demonstrate they care about the environment. Collaborating on this project would be the perfect way to achieve both of these goals. Since the data from the satellite’s AI would be reported back to numerous government bodies, these tech companies would greatly improve their transparency with the public, as well.
There are several potential organizations that could launch the satellite, though for the sake of impartiality, a private spaceflight company may be the best option. The top private spaceflight company in the world is SpaceX, which has launched thousands of satellites into orbit. SpaceX even reuses its rockets, offering a sustainable launch solution.
Launching a Carbon-Neutral Future
Meeting climate goals relies on a global capability to measure and track the progress of emissions reduction initiatives. With AI satellites, every nation would have the data they need to meet emissions standards. As an added benefit, a satellite would be able to collect and report data on a global scale, which would encourage accountability for high emitters. The world has the technology needed to make this concept a reality and it could very well save the planet.
