Welcome to our weekly newsletter focusing on environmental trends and solutions driving us towards a more sustainable future. Last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney introduced a new nature strategy that caught my attention for its use of artificial intelligence (AI). In this edition, we delve into how the conservation sector is integrating AI into its operations.
This week’s highlights include the potential of AI in conservation efforts, the positive impact of wind energy on the environment, and Parks Canada’s innovative approach of collaborating with social media influencers to influence visitor behavior in Banff.
AI technology is revolutionizing conservation work by enabling continuous monitoring of salmon migration and population numbers through cameras. Alemu Gonsamo, based at McMaster University, is leveraging satellite and aerial imagery to assess Canada’s vast landscapes, including tree counts and soil carbon levels. The incorporation of AI in Canada’s new nature strategy, as announced by Prime Minister Carney, is crucial for managing the extensive data collected in remote regions.
Gonsamo, the Canada Research Chair in remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems, has partnered with organizations like World Wildlife Fund Canada and Indigenous groups to study carbon storage in Canadian soils, particularly in the carbon-rich peatlands of Northern Ontario. By utilizing machine learning and satellite-mounted sensors, Gonsamo’s team has efficiently processed large datasets, such as calculating peat depth across the Hudson Bay Lowlands with just 500 ground measurements.
This innovative use of AI in conservation efforts demonstrates the importance of technology in advancing environmental protection and restoration initiatives.