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Newsletter
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Tech alone won’t fix farm food waste without labor reforms
Farmers are using technology to reduce food waste, but without addressing labor abuses and immigration policies, these efforts fall short.
In short:
- New technologies like composting systems, anaerobic digesters, and AI programs are helping reduce farm food waste.
- Labor abuses and immigration issues remain significant obstacles to effective food waste management.
- Solutions include stricter enforcement of labor laws and pathways to citizenship for farmworkers.
Key quote:
“We got hit when we lost the crop. Growers who had invested millions of dollars got nothing in return. And once there were no longer any Florida tomatoes on the market, prices soared to over $20 a box.”
— Industry representative
Why this matters:
Addressing food waste requires technological advancements and significant labor reforms to ensure fair treatment of farmworkers and a stable agricultural workforce. When workers are treated fairly and protected by robust legal frameworks, they are more likely to perform their jobs effectively, leading to less food waste and a more resilient agricultural sector.
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Credit: Vicki Hamilton/Pixabay
AI's surging power use raises environmental concerns
As global energy demands soar, the explosive growth of AI technology presents significant sustainability challenges.
In short:
- Alex de Vries highlighted the alarming energy consumption of Bitcoin and has now turned his attention to AI's environmental impact.
- De Vries's estimates show integrating generative AI into Google's searches could significantly increase its energy usage.
- The current trajectory of AI technology suggests a stark contrast with global goals of achieving net-zero emissions.
Key quote:
“I was, like, O.K., that’s a massive amount, and why is no one talking about it? I tried to look up some data, but I couldn’t really find anything.”
— Alex de Vries
Why this matters:
Understanding the environmental toll of advancing AI is crucial for health outcomes as it intersects with national efforts to mitigate climate change and shape sustainable technologies.
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Microsoft's aggressive AI expansion raises sustainability questions
Microsoft's rapid deployment of data centers, especially in arid regions like Goodyear, Arizona, raises concerns over environmental sustainability and resource consumption.
In short:
- Microsoft's investment in OpenAI has led to a significant increase in the construction of data centers.
- These centers, necessary for cloud computing and AI advancements, are part of the largest infrastructure buildout in history.
- The concentration of such centers in desert areas like Goodyear, Arizona, has environmental implications due to their high water usage.
Key quote:
“Allowing one more data center to come to our state is an easy but stupid decision in a lot of cases. It’s like the cotton candy of economic development.”
— Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
Why this matters:
The expansion of data centers is pivotal for technological progress but poses a serious dilemma for water conservation, particularly in desert areas. This tension reflects a broader challenge of balancing innovation with environmental stewardship, an issue of increasing relevance in the face of climate change.
Trees need water. And the Southwest is in a drought. How Tucson is planting a million trees in the semi-arid desert to combat climate change.lanting a million trees in the semi-arid desert to combat climate change.
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Credit: Nick Fewings/Unsplash
Revolutionizing recycling with AI technology
Artificial intelligence is set to overhaul the recycling industry, promising more efficient sorting and reduced contamination.
In short:
- AI systems will be integrated into thousands of recycling facilities worldwide, enhancing the accuracy of sorting recyclables.
- This technology aims to significantly reduce the contamination in recycled materials, increasing their value and usability.
- The implementation of AI in recycling could have a substantial impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution.
Key quote:
“Today’s technology cannot really detect all the contamination that could be coming with those plastics. But if you know what contaminants are coming, there’s a better chance you will be able to process it and get a cleaner product.”
— Lokendra Pal, professor of sustainable materials engineering at North Carolina State University
Why this matters:
AI's role in improving recycling processes addresses a significant challenge in waste management, potentially leading to better health outcomes by reducing pollution and conserving resources.
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Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev on Unsplash
New material found by AI could reduce lithium use in batteries
Microsoft said AI and supercomputing were used to synthesise an entirely new material.
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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
AI threats are here. Are Biden and the energy industry ready?
The administration is outlining an executive order on artificial intelligence as the energy sector monitors the benefits and downsides of AI.
Image by Dean Moriarty from Pixabay
Google's expanded 'flood hub' uses AI to help us adapt to extreme weather
Google has announced that a tool using artificial intelligence to better predict river floods will be expanded to the U.S. and Canada, covering more than 800 North American riverside communities that are home to more than 12 million people.
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