Can the Metaverse Aid in Combating Global Warming?
The metaverse, an innovative concept with the capacity to fundamentally transform human existence, is becoming increasingly impactful with each year.
In the virtual realm, just like in the physical world, all possibilities are open - education, work, entertainment, marriage and even sex. However, it shouldn't merely be viewed as an online space for learning and socializing with friends.
Scientists at Cornell University have uncovered that the metaverse could potentially benefit the environment. According to their latest study, the virtual domain may contribute to reducing the Earth's global surface temperature. The corresponding article was published in the Energy and Environmental Science journal. Might the metaverse emerge as a weapon in the fight against global warming?
Is the metaverse our secret weapon against global warming?
The researchers employed AI-based modeling and examined data from crucial sectors like business, energy, technology, and the environment. Through this, they assessed the potential use of the metaverse and its effect on in-demand applications related to remote learning, teleworking, virtual travels, gaming, and NFTs.
Forecasting the speed at which the digital realm will integrate into daily life, the scientists compared the metaverse to television, the Internet, and the iPhone, factoring in the energy consumed by metaverse technologies and their growing popularity.
The modeling suggested that over the next three decades, more than 90% of the population will embrace the metaverse concept.
One thing that did surprise us is that this metaverse is going to grow much quicker than what we expected,” You said. “Look at earlier technologies – TV, for instance. It took decades to be eventually adopted by everyone. Now we are really in an age of technology explosion. Think of our smartphones. They grew very far.
The researchers underscore that key players in the metaverse field include companies like Meta, focusing on personalized digital experiences, and Microsoft, offering a variety of business solutions. Mr. You believes that forgoing business travel in favor of virtual meetings would be most beneficial for the environment:
Electric vehicles work, but you can’t drive a car to London or Tokyo. Do I really have to fly to Singapore for a conference tomorrow? That will be an interesting decision-making point for some stakeholders to consider as we move forward with these technologies with human–machine interface in a 3D virtual world.
The study emphasizes several potentially necessary actions. First, a reduction in energy use by commercial enterprises. Second, a more active adoption of remote learning, teleworking, and virtual tourism. According to the scientists' estimates, by 2050, the metaverse could:
- Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 10 gigatons;
- Lower atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 4.0 parts per million;
- Reduce effective radiative forcing by 0.035 W/m²;
- Cut down total domestic energy consumption by 92 EJ.
Hence, the metaverse technology could potentially lower the Earth's global surface temperature by 0.02 degrees. While these figures might not seem significant, the virtual world represents a tool that, when judiciously utilized, can contribute to Earth's preservation.
