3 Ways Technology Is Saving The Environment

Since 1973, World Environment Day (WED) has served as a global platform for engaging governments, businesses, and citizens in issues facing Earth’s environment.

While raising awareness about environmental problems creates a feeling of urgency, it is by adopting new eco-friendly habits and progressively restoring ecosystems that actions are set in full motion.    

Technology, today’s primary catalyst for advancing innovation, is helping reverse the accumulated deterioration and create new ways to promote sustainable behaviors. Powered by cutting-edge tools like AI and IoT, modern methods of monitoring, controlling, and managing environmental challenges are already transforming the landscape, both in the figurative and literal sense.

With that said, here’s a look at three tech-infused approaches deliberately designed with environmental restoration in mind.

Satellite Imagery and AI

Quarrying, the process of extracting natural materials such as rocks, sand, and gravel from the ground, can have dreadful effects on the environment if not properly managed and regulated. In fact, from 2020 to 2023, quarrying in the European Union was responsible for emitting approximately 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to the CO2 emission of 11 million cars in a single year.

Therefore, a few preventative monitoring measures must be implemented to mitigate as much environmental harm as possible caused by quarries.

On one hand, quarries should only take place within pre-assessed and specifically designated zones. On the other hand, active quarries must not exceed the predetermined perimeters and should be landscaped and re-used for agricultural or public recreational purposes when disused.

To monitor quarry activities and ensure regulatory compliance, environmental agencies are leveraging the prowess of satellite imagery. However, the process of capturing images by itself is insufficient to deduce meaningful results. It has to be complemented by a machine-learning API that analyzes and classifies visual data and then produces actionable reports.

Using our in-house developed computer vision technology, we can efficiently assess various terrain types, such as quarries and forests, with high accuracy and speed. Here’s how the process works:

Capturing

Satellites capture high-resolution images of the quarry sites at regular intervals. The purpose is to provide detailed visual data on the current state of the quarries and any changes or expansions over time.

Processing

To ensure accurate analysis, the images are then processed to enhance their quality (correcting distortions, aligning with geographical coordinates, and filtering out noise) and extract relevant features.

Implementing ML

Machine learning models are applied to the processed images to identify patterns and anomalies. These models can detect unauthorized quarry expansions and other activities that may violate environmental regulations. As demonstrated in the picture below, a confidence score between 0 and 1 is shown above the selected quarry areas. The score represents the likelihood that the output of the model is correct.

Improving

The system undergoes continuous improvement by refining machine learning models and processing techniques based on feedback and new data, making it increasingly accurate, resilient, and capable of proactively addressing emerging challenges in quarry management.

This innovative computer vision technology has versatile use cases. In an urban setting, it can identify and analyze infrastructure such as buildings, roads, bridges, etc. It can also assess agricultural land suitability and monitor water quality in water bodies such as lakes and rivers.

Smart Energy

Energy holds significant importance in discussions about environmental sustainability. It’s the world’s primary source of greenhouse emissions, accounting for 72% of all gas emissions. Over the years, businesses of all types have strived to reduce their energy consumption to save costs and contribute to the ongoing efforts of sustainable business operations.

With the introduction of the Energy as a Service (EaaS) model, businesses are offered a streamlined way to achieve their goals with minimal cost and effort. EaaS works as a subscription-based service that provides businesses with solutions such as consulting, systems installation, and usage monitoring software, freeing them from having to make any upfront capital expenditure.

One of the globally most successful EaaS models that we have helped develop and maintain works as follows:

Initial Assessment

A thorough energy audit is conducted to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement within the customer’s facilities​.

Implementation

Equipment Installation: State-of-the-art energy-efficient equipment, such as LED lighting, HVAC systems, smart thermostats, and IoT sensors, is installed at no upfront cost to the client​.

IoT Integration: IoT sensors are deployed throughout the facilities to continuously collect data on various parameters, such as temperature, humidity, lighting levels, and equipment performance​.

Monitoring and Management

Data Collection and Analysis: IoT sensors feed real-time data into a centralized system, enabling detailed analysis of energy usage patterns and identification of inefficiencies.

AI Implementation: To optimize energy usage and prevent equipment failures, AI algorithms analyze the data to predict future energy consumption patterns and identify potential issues before they occur.

Automated Adjustments: AI-driven control systems automatically adjust settings on HVAC systems, lighting, and other equipment based on real-time data to preserve optimal performance without manual intervention.

Maintenance and Upgrades

All maintenance and necessary upgrades are handled, ensuring the systems remain efficient and up-to-date at no additional cost to the client.

Cost Savings

Clients pay a fixed monthly fee, which is offset by the energy savings realized through the efficiency improvements. Guaranteed savings ensure the service is financially risk-free for clients.

Smart Energy Management

Anomaly Detection: AI algorithms detect anomalies in energy usage, such as unexpected spikes or drops, and alert facility managers to take corrective actions to prevent waste.

Usage Optimization: AI optimizes energy consumption by shifting usage to non-peak hours and dynamically adjusting operations based on occupancy and other factors. This reduces overall energy costs and enhances efficiency.

User Dashboard and Insights

Comprehensive Reporting: A user-friendly dashboard displays real-time data and analytics. Facility managers can access detailed reports and insights into their energy consumption, helping them make informed decisions.

Actionable Insights: The AI system generates actionable insights and recommendations for further improving energy efficiency, eventually leading to continuous improvement and long-term sustainability​.

Gamified eco-change

Reiterating what was said at the beginning of this article, true change starts with adopting eco-friendly mindsets and habits.

With the proper implementation of gamification elements, machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced data analytics, modern sustainability-focused platforms are now serving as the backbone of individual behavioral change.

Not only do such platforms offer a slew of features to help drive daily activities, but they also monitor the status of sustainability efforts in real-time, such as plastic usage, carbon emissions, completion of environmentally friendly actions, and the number of sustainable habits achieved, enabling users to take eco-conscious actions and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.

Here’s an overview of our multifunction user-focused gamification platform/mobile app:

The mobile application is the central habit-forming component of the platform. Based on advanced machine learning algorithms, the app adapts to evolving individual goals. It sets targets and daily challenges, suggests eco-actions, tracks progress, and offers rewards to users based on their achievements and leaderboard rank. All the assets are interconnected within three main portals.

The eco-action center

Storing and sorting the rewardable eco-friendly actions that organizations can promote, the eco-action center supports extensive integration, allowing any event, whether at home or work, to be traced and turned into an eco-action. It can be easily integrated with third-party platforms via APIs.

The marketplace

This is where users can redeem their challenge/competition-earned points. Users have access to multiple marketplaces catered to their profiles and lifestyles.

The analytics portal

Built with Microsoft Power BI, this portal offers real-time actionable insights through IoT-generated data and integration with various systems. It centralizes data from multiple sources and provides preset and customizable reports accessible via web and mobile.

Wrapping up

Looking back at all the innovations that technology has helped us achieve, we can safely say that conscious efforts exercised by the UN, governments, businesses, and individuals are putting the world on the right track to achieve sustainability on a large scale. It’s a long way to the top, but technology is here to make it less daunting, more engaging, and ultimately more successful for everyone involved.