Modern technology has continued to develop a digital world capable of using augmented and virtual reality, allowing investments to be made in digital space referred to as metaverse. Metaverse is intended to transform how people interact and conduct business due to its potential to enhance every aspect of enterprise and consumer experience. On a larger scale, the metaverse is also seen as a potential solution to combating global warming.
How Does Metaverse Work?
A metaverse refers to any 3D virtual space that allows people to interact with each other or with non-human avatars. It is powered by technologies such as augmented reality (AR), blockchain, virtual reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence.
Metaverse is essentially a world of endless, interconnected virtual communities where individuals can meet and interact using headsets, smartphone apps, or other devices. This technology can also incorporate different aspects of online lifestyle, such as social media and shopping.
Although the metaverse is considered the next evolution of the internet, there are differences between the two. The internet is a network of websites initially created to distribute information. Today, they can also serve various purposes, such as communication, entertainment, and shopping. The internet is also a place for storing and sharing data generated by its users concerning what happens in the "real world."
On the other hand, the metaverse is a digital world where the users "live" their virtual lives. The activities in the metaverse and the information it stores may not connect with the "real world."
How Can Metaverse Aid in Fighting Climate Change?
On June 14, researchers from Cornell University published the paper entitled "Growing Metaverse Sector Can Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 10 Gt CO2e in the United States by 2050". Their study focused on the role of the metaverse sector in facilitating climate change mitigation.
The team, led by doctoral student Ning Zhao, used AI-based modeling to analyze data from major sectors such as environment, technology, business, and energy. The model was used in anticipating the growth of metaverse usage and the impact of its applications in virtual traveling, gaming, remote work, distance learning, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
The analysis included projected metaverse expansion through 2050 along slow, nominal, and fast trajectories, looking to previous technologies to gain insight into how quickly that adoption might occur. They also factored in the amount of energy consumed with that increasing usage.
The AI-based modeling suggests that within 30 years, the metaverse technology will be adopted by over 90% of the human population. Energy systems engineering professor Fengqi You revealed that the metaverse's largest environmental benefit would be limiting business travel as it contributes to the decarbonization of the transportation sector.
It was also reported that by 2050, the metaverse industry could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ten gigatons and lower atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 4.0 parts per million. Effective radiative forcing would also be decreased by 0.035 watts per square meter, while 92 EJ would lower the total domestic energy consumption. This reduction surpasses all end-use sectors' annual nationwide energy consumption in previous years.
The result of the study will be beneficial in helping policymakers understand how the growth of the metaverse industry can accelerate progress toward achieving zero carbon emissions. Improved air quality can also be achieved by promoting distance learning, virtual tourism, and remote work. Reducing transportation and commercial energy usage not only alleviates air pollutant emissions but also helps transform energy distribution.
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