AI Tool Shows How Earth's 20 Major Cities Would Look After Climate Changes
An artificial intelligence tool called Midjourney has given a glimpse of what our cities would look like 70 years from now - in the worst and best case climate scenarios
Artificial intelligence is the gift that keeps on giving, even if the gifts are dismal pointers of humanity's scary future. Leaders of various countries recently met at COP27 to discuss climate changes, and estimates now claim that Earth's goals for emission reduction will not be met.
Using AI to peek into the future
Now, an artificial intelligence tool called Midjourney has given a glimpse of what our cities would look like 70 years from now - in the worst and best case climate scenarios. Climate experts at the UK company Uswitch used the AI tool to highlight the gravity of the situation.
For perspective, a United Nations panel on climate change suggested that global warming should be kept below 2 degree Celsius, or ideally below 1.5 degree Celsius.
Midjourney was used to predict the future of 20 well-known cities of the world, including Agra, Auckland, New York, Paris, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Tokyo, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Dubai, Edinburgh, Giza, Kruger National Park, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Moscow.
Moscow, Russia
Moscow in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Moscow in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Paris, France
Paris in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Paris in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Rio in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Sydney, Australia
Sydney in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Sydney in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Tokyo in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Toronto, Canada
Toronto in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Toronto in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
New York City, United States of America
Central Park in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Central Park in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Dubai in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Edinburgh in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Giza, Egypt
Giza in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Giza in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Kruger, South Africa
Kruger in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Kruger in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Los Angeles, United States of America
LA in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
LA in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
London, United Kingdom
London in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
London in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Mexico City in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Agra, India
Agra in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Agra in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Amsterdam in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Auckland in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Barcelona in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Beijing, China
Beijing in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Beijing in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Berlin, Germany
Berlin in best case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
Berlin in worst case climate scenario | Photo: Uswitch
If humanity fails to achieve its Net Zero target by 2050, our cities would look starkly different than today, as seen above. Countries around the world are working on strategies to stop producing more emissions than we can remove from the atmosphere.
Also read: New AI Tool Predicts When A Bank Should Be Bailed Out To Prevent Losses
Experts at Uswitch analysed emission data to highlight the most-polluting industries, and ways to reach net zero emissions by 2050. "From individual households to the businesses we work for, there are many ways we are contributing to increasing CO2 emissions on the planet... It is important to visualise how the world could look in the next few decades if we fail to start making changes now," said Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch.
Also read: Could Super-Intelligent Artificial Intelligence Be Controlled? Scientists Say No
¡°And there are some simple ways we can try and reduce our carbon footprint to help prevent things such as species from going extinct, wildfires ruining ecosystems, and rising sea levels... These small changes could be as simple as reducing the number of days we commute by car, reassessing the type and amount of food we eat or making our homes more energy efficient," Gallizzi added.
What do you think about these ghastly depictions of our cities' futures? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
I live for all-things-technology - gadgets, novel climate solutions, and startups that are changing the game. In my leisurely hours, you can find me binge watching science fiction films, writing poetry, or dancing to pop anthems.
Read More
