Earth Day: How Tech Can Fight Climate Change and Improve Sustainability
To celebrate Earth Day, here are a few ways technology is helping to make the world a better place — both for today and tomorrow.
Tech is shaping the world around us and our future. Whether it’s climate change or waste management, tech is solving some of the world’s most pressing problems. To celebrate Earth Day, here are a few ways technology is helping to make the world a better place — both for today and tomorrow.
Track Temperature Trends
Climate change models need millions of data points spanning centuries to identify Earth’s temperature trends. NASA reported that 2022 was tied with 2015 as the fifth warmest on record, and the past nine years have been the warmest years since modern recordkeeping began in 1880. To generate these climate findings, the space agency collects data from 6,300 weather stations, Antarctic research stations, and sea surface temperature observations to determine the surface temperature for a given year.
To make sense of it all, NASA uses data science. “These raw measurements are analyzed using an algorithm that considers the varied spacing of temperature stations around the globe and urban heat island effects that could skew the conclusions,” according to NASA.
Improve Climate Models
Data science can also further improve current climate models. For example, Georgia Tech researchers are creating data mining methodologies that can help scientists identify warming trends. Georgia Tech researchers are already using the methodology to measure sea surface temperatures.
Predict Extreme Weather
Columbia University has a great list of ways artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to predict tropical cyclones and areas of potential poaching and map the damage caused by hurricanes.
Adapt Farming Practices
If you want something more practical for Earth Day, there are apps that can help you live a more sustainable life. Farmers in India, for example, have used AI for fertilizer application and to identify ideal sowing dates leading to a 30 percent increase in groundnut production per hectare.
Make Sustainability Accessible
Oroeco gamifies sustainability. The app helps you track and reduce your carbon footprint while helping you save money. There’s also a leaderboard where you can share your stats across social media.
Promote Conscious Consumerism
TheGoodGuide reviews products by analyzing their ingredients, to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
Reduce Water Usage
If you want to reduce your water usage, there’s the Dropcountr app.
Deputize Citizen Scientists
You can even help NASA track how carbon moves through ecosystems by taking photos of trees.
Climate Change Challengers Are Powered By Tech Skills
Behind these reports, interactive websites, and apps are data scientists, software engineers, and UX/UI designers. Front-end and back-end engineers are working to make websites functional. Data scientists and analysts are making troves of collected information actionable. UX/UI designers are ensuring users can have the best experience possible.
Flatiron School has already helped alumni plant seeds of change in the tech industry. We encourage you to explore our immersive Software Engineering, Data Science, and UX/UI Design programs for Earth Day.
Together, we can make the world a better place.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is current as of April 22, 2023. Current policies, offerings, procedures, and programs may differ.
