New Study Indicates Metaverse May Help Fight with Climate Change

The Metaverse, a virtual 3D environment where the real and virtual worlds join hands, may offer considerable environmental advantages, according to a ground-breaking study by Cornell University researchers. According to the research, the widespread use of metaverse technology might reduce the temperature of the earth's surface by up to 0.02 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

The study published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science offers important insights into the potential effects of the metaverse on various facets of human life, including work, education, and entertainment.

The team, led by lead author Professor Fengqi You and PhD student Ning Zhao, used powerful AI-based modeling approaches to analyze data from important industries including technology, energy, and business. The researchers predicted the rise of the metaverse until 2050 by taking into account the rising usage of the metaverse and its most promising applications, such as remote work, virtual travel, distance learning, gaming, and non-fungible tokens.

According to the modeling, use of metaverse technology may reach 90% of the population within three decades, expanding far more quickly than was initially predicted. The study also highlighted the possible environmental advantages that the metaverse may bring about, notably in terms of lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the capacity of the metaverse to reduce business travel, according to the experts, is one of its most important environmental benefits. The use of virtual conferencing and remote learning tools in combination with other technological advancements provides options that could contribute to a decrease in transportation-related carbon emissions. This feature has the potential to help decarbonize the transportation sector and enhance air quality, along with other metaverse-based applications.

Furthermore, study emphasizes the startling possible effects of the metaverse business expansion by 2050. According to the study, it could be able to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide content by 4.0 parts per million, greenhouse gas emissions by 10 gigatons, and effective radiative forcing by 0.035 watts per square meter. Additionally, it might reduce domestic energy usage overall by 92 EJ, exceeding the combined yearly energy use of all end-use sectors in past years.

These results give decision-makers insightful information on how the development of the Metaverse industry might hasten the process of attaining net-zero emissions objectives. More adaptable de-carbonization solutions may be explored through increasing distant learning, virtual travel, and remote working based on the Metaverse. Additionally, the Metaverse's ability to reduce the need for transportation and commercial energy might transform the way energy is distributed, allowing for a higher supply of energy to be provided to the home sector.

Professor You, emphasize that not all environmental problems can be solved via the Metaverse, though. He advises against relying only on the metaverse, despite the fact that it may make a big contribution, and stresses the significance of using the technology appropriately.

Cornell University’s study provides important insights into how the Metaverse might successfully address environmental issues. Stakeholders must take into account the ecological effect of their technical decisions as big players like Meta (previously Facebook) and Microsoft push the growth of the Metaverse. Society can significantly advance the fight against climate change while taking use of the many advantages the Metaverse has to offer by harnessing its power, ethically and sustainably.

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by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World