By analyzing data on heat islands, AI can identify where trees or green infrastructure can reduce extreme temperatures, providing respite from stifling urban heat, the authors write. Above, emerging trees in the park surrounding White Stadium. (Photo by Jim McCaud/Boston Herald)
As the world strives toward a cleaner and greener future, one glaring obstacle remains: not all communities are equally involved in the transition. Nowhere is this inequity more evident than in environmental justice communities, where low-income black and brown residents bear the brunt of environmental degradation. However, there is hope on the horizon in the form of artificial intelligence.
One of the primary barriers to engaging communities in environmental action is making the issue personally relevant. Concerns about stopping a 1 degree rise in temperature decades from now may seem abstract to many. But when framed in terms of health impacts today, the connection becomes clear. If you asked if they were worried about their child's asthma, they would say yes. You can then make the connection between car emissions, their child's asthma, and ozone. AI has the power to bridge this gap by addressing specific concerns and questions, using natural language processing to deliver information in culturally relevant ways.
AI offers numerous avenues for addressing sustainability in environmental justice communities. For example, AI can perform detailed analysis to identify interventions tailored to specific neighborhoods. By analyzing data on heat islands, AI can identify where trees or green infrastructure can reduce extreme temperatures, providing respite from stifling urban heat. Similarly, AI can assess wind patterns to determine the feasibility of renewable energy solutions like mini-windmills, or develop decarbonization plans for homes, complete with cost-benefit analyses. I am
The Environmental Protection Agency deployed a network of AI-powered sensors to track air quality. This data helped identify the local steel mill as a major contributor to air pollution. Armed with this information, residents were able to hold the mill accountable, leading to stricter regulations and cleaner air.
Moreover, AI can revolutionize the presentation of environmental data. Instead of dense, wordy reports, AI-generated visualizations can clearly illustrate the impact of environmental issues on communities. By incorporating storytelling techniques and analyzing data sets, these concepts can highlight disparities in pollution exposure, access to green spaces, and climate change risks, resonating with black communities on a personal level.
In the realm of health impact assessment, AI algorithms can uncover the disproportionate burden of environmental factors on black communities. By linking pollution levels, socioeconomic factors, and health outcomes, AI can quantify and communicate the health risks associated with environmental injustice, empowering communities to advocate for change.
Community engagement is another area of AI innovation. AI-powered social media analytics can identify and engage with black communities online, fostering conversations and raising awareness about environmental issues. Chatbots and virtual assistants can provide resources and facilitate dialogue, amplifying community voices in the environmental conversation.
Policy advocacy also benefits from AI. By analyzing policy documents and identifying critical issues, AI can recommend evidence-based strategies to address environmental inequities. Natural language processing algorithms can identify discriminatory language or policies, informing advocacy campaigns and policy interventions aimed at promoting justice.
Education and training are essential components of empowering communities to effect change. AI-powered educational tools can provide interactive learning experiences tailored to the needs and interests of Black students and communities, promoting environmental literacy and empowerment. These tools can also bring environmental science into the classroom.
Finally, participatory research facilitated by AI can democratize environmental science. By empowering communities to collect data and contribute to decision-making processes, AI-supported citizen science initiatives can amplify community voices and drive meaningful change.
By harnessing the power of AI, we have an unprecedented opportunity to empower environmental justice communities in the fight for a sustainable future. By leveraging AI's capabilities to make environmental issues personal, accessible and actionable, we can pave the way for a more just and resilient world. It's time to embrace AI as a powerful tool for environmental justice and empowerment.
Ed Gaskin is the Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets. Sukia Akiba is an environmental expert and sustainable real estate developer.