Editor’s choice
This perspective article examines the opportunities and risks of combined artificial intelligence and Earth observation technologies, focusing on their application in forestry.
Photo: Ivan Bandura / Unsplash
Extreme heat, massive floods, and ever-longer droughts caused by climate change are intensifying in magnitude and intensity across the globe. Forests are threatened by increases in the average global temperature and human-driven economic activity. Artificial intelligence and Earth observation technologies present opportunities to improve environmental sustainability, promoting Sustainable Development Goals through more efficient forest management and stewardship. These technologies can potentially improve the mapping, understanding, and monitoring of forests’ ecosystem services, directly aiding humanity’s efforts to combat climate change. However, increased use of these technologies could also create new risks, making these efforts counterproductive. This perspective article identifies opportunities and risks of using artificial intelligence and Earth observation technologies to protect forests globally. It discusses how risks can be mitigated and what governance mechanisms should be used to design sustainable forest-focused artificial intelligence.
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Perspective / This perspective offers insights about how forests and trees benefit the agricultural sector. It argues that policymakers should act to leverage these benefits.
Tool / A sophisticated Machine Learning tool, designed to act as your ally in assessing the alignment of projects, policies, and actions with the SDGs and more.
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