Discussion: AI for Good – Let’s protect our Forests

How can AI help protect and sustain global forest ecosystems?

“First and foremost, we must triple the speed of the shift to renewable energy… It means protecting forests and ecosystems as powerful climate solutions.” — UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The primary forest area worldwide in 2020 has decreased by over 80 million hectares since 1990. Deforestation and forest degradation account for 15% of global greenhouse emissions. According to a UN report published in February 2022, climate change and land-use change are projected to cause a global increase of extreme fires of about 14% by 2030, 30% by the end of 2050, and 50% by the end of the century.

Consolidated efforts are required to tackle this global problem. We need effective governance, integrated policies, increased awareness, and monitoring of resources through advanced artificial intelligence technologies – to better observe, empower, and defend our forests.

Forests play a crucial role in stabilizing climate, regulating natural ecosystems, and providing habitat to thousands of life-forms.

In the context of increasing global temperatures and destructive wildfires, data & AI can be leveraged to better tackle the all-importance of our forests and the associated challenges in regards to the SDGs (the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals).

At the AIForGood 2022 event that Capgemini attended on November 3, our guest panelists and speakers discussed how using technology, and particularly AI, can help support the United Nations’ SDGs – 3, 9, 13 and 15 – related to impacts and interactions with global forest ecosystems.

Curious about the topic? Watch our webinar to discover how private organizations, governments, startups and citizens can leverage Data and AI to provide insights to observe, monitor, analyze, and protect our forests.