Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning

TLDR

Climate change is a major global challenge, prompting machine‑learning experts to explore how their tools can help. The authors contend that machine learning can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and aid climate adaptation, urging the community to join the effort. They outline ML applications from smart grids to disaster management, pinpointing high‑impact problems where ML can fill gaps in collaboration with other fields. The paper recommends research questions and business opportunities for ML in climate action.

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, and we, as machine learning experts, may wonder how we can help. Here we describe how machine learning can be a powerful tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping society adapt to a changing climate. From smart grids to disaster management, we identify high impact problems where existing gaps can be filled by machine learning, in collaboration with other fields. Our recommendations encompass exciting research questions as well as promising business opportunities. We call on the machine learning community to join the global effort against climate change.