Will Technological Innovations Help to Tackle Climate Crisis?

Earth’s average global surface temperature was the second warmest in 2019 and the past five years have been the warmest of the last 140 years, says an independent analysis by NASA. Studying the climate models, scientists have concluded that the rise of the temperature has been occurred by increased emissions of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses. Considering the situation, climate activists, various government organizations and bodies are working towards to handle the climate change crisis.

As per the research report of Wunderman Thompson Intelligence’s SONAR, 90% of the consumers believe that it is a responsibility of companies and brands to take care of the planet and its people. Every industry is concerned about the climate change crisis.

Many major brands such as H&M, Unilever etc. have pledged to become carbon neutral in coming years and support their business associates to do the same. The companies are also investing in for research and development for the elimination of fossil fuels from production processes.

This year, by setting the agenda focused on climate change, the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos is attracting the global leaders and investors that are struggling to tackle the climate crisis. While talking about the actions need to be taken to overcome this crisis, the teen climate and environmental activist Greta Thunberg put three demands:

1. Immediately halt all investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction
2. Immediately end all fossil fuel subsidies
3. And immediately and completely divest from fossil fuels.

And, she ended her address speech by saying, “Our house is still on fire. Your inaction is fuelling the flames by the hour. We are still telling you to panic, and to act as if you loved your children above all else.”

On the other side, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will join One Trillion Trees Initiative in restoring, growing, and better managing trees and forests at the WEF, Davos. Talking about the climate crisis he said, “These alarmists always demand the same thing: absolute power to dominate, transform, and control every aspect of our lives.” Later he added, “We continue to embrace technology, not to shun it. When people are free to innovate, millions will live longer, happier, healthier lives.”

To handle the crisis, technology will need to play very important role. Recently, the largest tech company, Microsoft Corp announced that it is investing in “Climate Innovation Fund” ($1 billion) over the next four years to speed up the technological developments for carbon removal.

Considering all facts, if managed carefully, there is potential in the technologies to provide significant benefits for environment. Also, innovations related to AI and robotics may tackle the climate crisis but these are just assumptions and we are not sure that there will be positive outcomes. For now, we must just limit the energy consumption and avoid to waste it to control the situation.