Google has announced a series of updates and AI tools aimed at helping individuals and organizations reduce their carbon footprint and better prepare for the effects of climate change. These updates include:
Electric Vehicle (EV) Search Results: Google is providing enhanced search results for EV shoppers, including information about government incentives, battery range details, and a fuel cost calculator to compare costs between electric and gas vehicles. Users can also get fuel-efficient routing suggestions for their EVs.
Cycling and Transit: Google is working with local governments to update cycling routes in Google Maps, adding hundreds of kilometers of new bike lanes. The company is also piloting a feature in France that suggests public transit and walking routes alongside driving routes when practical and time-comparable.
Sustainable Aviation: Google’s sustainable aviation project is expanding to include the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) to help pilots reduce contrails and emissions.
Project Green Light: Google’s AI-driven effort to make traffic lights more efficient is expanding to more cities. The project reduces carbon emissions by optimizing traffic flow.
Home Improvements: Google is providing more information about sustainable energy devices for heating and cooling systems, including details on energy efficiency and financial incentives for users searching for appliances like heat pumps and air conditioning units.
Solar Panels and “Cool Roofs”: Google is updating Google Earth to help urban planners determine the best building designs and solar options for urban areas. The “cool roofs” tool uses AI and aerial imagery to map the solar reflectivity of cities.
Flood, Heat, and Wildfire Warnings: Google’s Flood Hub tool is expanding to the US and Canada, covering 800 riverside locations. Google is also working on updating its fire spread model to help fire authorities respond more effectively.
Tree Canopy Tool: Google’s tool for mapping where trees are needed to keep residents cool is expanding to 2,000 additional cities globally.
Regarding the environmental impact of AI, Google stated that AI compute demand has increased more slowly than the power required for it. The company is focusing on improving energy efficiency and moving toward carbon-free energy sources in its data center operations.
These updates and tools are part of Google’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and climate action, with the aim of helping individuals and organizations reduce their carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/10/23906496/google-ai-transportation-ev-heat-pump-flood-wildfire