Code Green

Geospatial AI is the use of AI-based tools for analysing any type of geographic information derived from sources such as satellite imagery, aerial drones, and geographic information systems (GIS). These technologies can be employed in resource management, disaster response, and conservation efforts, offering real-time monitoring and analysis of ecosystems and natural resources.  In this episode, we explore the potential and limitations of using Geospatial AI for climate action. The conversation ranges from trends in democratisation of map-making with easy-to-use GIS tools to the risks and ethical concerns that are associated with the use of GIS data. Our guests discuss the need for community involvement, factoring in local knowledge systems, and ensuring equitable access when it comes to Geospatial AI. They discuss the potential environmental costs and the importance of funding and transparency in technology implementation.  You can read the transcript for this episode here. Speakers Cathy Richards Cathy is the Associate for Digital Resilience and Emerging Technology at The Engine Room. Recently, as a Green Web Fellow, she investigated the benefits, ethical questions, and security risks associated with using GIS for environmental justice. Cathy holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Boston University and an MPA from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She is from Costa Rica. Izni ZahidiIzni is a Civil Engineering academic at Monash University, Malaysia and has over 16 years of academic and industry experience. Her primary research is in using remote sensing, GIS, and modelling to develop sustainable and climate-resilient communities. Her research team assesses environmental risks such as flooding, water pollution, vegetation degradation, and urban heat island effect to improve natural resources management. Her research work has won a Gold Award, Silver Award, and Special Award as selected by the Toronto International Society of Innovation and Advanced Skills in the international competition, Sustainability in Civil Engineering Exhibition and Competition. Show Notes Geospatial AI or Geo AI (glossary term)  ArcGIS, Esri’s enterprise geospatial platform QGIS, a free and open-source platform Felt Maps, a cloud-native platform Artificial intelligence for predicting urban heat island effect and optimising land use/land cover for mitigation: Prospects and recent advancements, research paper co-authored by Izni Zahidi Modelling public social values of flood-prone land use using GIS application SolVES, research article co-authored by Izni Zahidi Internet of Things or IoT (glossary term) Tracking Amazon: How Neighbors Are Monitoring Pollution From New Delivery Hub Wireless Sensors Could be Less Effective in Muddy Soil How the “Internet of Cows” is Transforming Livestock Farming in Europe Northern Kenya leads the way in the world's largest IoT conservation network Semantic Analysis of Social Network Site Data for Flood Mapping and Assessment, research paper co-authored by Izni Zahidi Green Web Fellowship Navigating GIS, a guide by Cathy Richards The RECONECT Project: Regenerating Ecosystems with Nature-based Solutions for Hydro-meteorological Risk Reduction AI + Climate Futures in Asia This podcast series is accompanied by a monthly newsletter - sign up for updates ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. For more about this project, visit our website ⁠⁠codegreen.asia Credits Audio Editing: Sharon Joseph and Shivranjana Rathore Cover Art: Nayantara Surendranath/Pastelstew Attributions Intro and Outro: ⁠⁠Retro Sounds⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Alban_Gogh⁠⁠

The climate crisis has pushed parts of Asia past a tipping point, making urgent solutions critical. While tech solutions like AI-driven smart agriculture and energy management are emerging, there's little understanding of the extent of their adoption and impact. How will AI fare in contexts underscored by issues of digital divide, data challenges and financial gaps? In episode zero of the Code Green podcast, we speak to leading experts on the intersection of AI and climate action in Asia from a policy, technology and finance lens. Our guests highlight the many opportunities for AI in climate adaptation, environmental costs and pathways needed to ensure climate justice in the long run. Speakers Elina Noor, Senior Fellow, Asia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Elina's work focuses on developments in Southeast Asia, particularly the impact and implications of tech in reshaping power dynamics, governance and nation-building. She's been the director of political-security affairs and deputy director of the Washington DC office at the Asia Society Policy Institute; and associate professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu. Elina has spent most of her career at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, last as director, foreign policy and security studies. She was also with the Brookings Institution’s Project on US Relations with the Islamic World, and currently serves on the UN Sec-Gen’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. Alpan Raval, Chief Scientist AI/ML, Wadhwani AI Alpan is a theoretical physicist, in the applied AI space for the last 24 years, applying ML to problems in computational biology and chemistry, queuing, computational advertising, online newsfeed optimisation and content moderation, public health, and agriculture. Alpan has led applied AI teams at LinkedIn and Amazon, worked as a researcher at D E Shaw Research; and taught mathematics and computational biology at the Claremont Colleges in California. He is the co-author of Introduction to Biological Networks (CRC Press).  Varad Pande, Partner, Boston Consulting Group Varad is a leader in BCG’s Climate & Sustainability and Social Impact practices with a focus on emerging markets. He is part of BCG’s Asia leadership team for social impact, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. He has over 20 years of global experience as a senior ministerial advisor, an impact investor, and strategy consultant. Varad’s work has spanned UN Sustainable Development Goal domains such as financial inclusion, agriculture and livelihoods; and he has helped shape the global discourse on the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. Varad was formerly a Partner at Omidyar Network India, and a partner and Asia Leader at Dalberg. This podcast is accompanied by a monthly newsletter - sign up here⁠⁠. Find the transcript here and visit codegreen.asia⁠⁠ Credits Audio Editing: Sharon Joseph Production Support: Shivranjana Rathore Attributions Intro, Outro - ⁠⁠Retro Sounds⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Alban_Gogh⁠⁠ Transitions - ⁠⁠Meditative Background Music⁠⁠, ⁠⁠white_records⁠⁠ Show notes Check out resources referenced in the episode: ⁠⁠IEEE portfolio of AIS technology and impact standards and standards projects⁠⁠ ⁠⁠International Standard on information Technology-Artificial Intelligence-Management System⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Nikshay Platform for Tuberculosis⁠⁠ ⁠⁠E-Sanjeevini for doctor-patient consultation⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Poshan Tracker for maternal and child health⁠⁠ ⁠⁠WEF-BCG Project on Tech for Climate Adaptation⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Financing Climate Adaptation and Resilience Is Good for Business and the World⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Transport Stack – Powering Innovation and Impact with Digital Public Infrastructure & Goods⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet⁠⁠ ⁠⁠IF-CAP by Asian Development Bank⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Pentagreen⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Malaysia Energy Transition Roadmap + Fund⁠⁠ Digital Futures Lab study on ⁠⁠AI + Climate Futures in Asia⁠⁠ (2023)

Welcome to Code Green! Brought to you by ⁠Digital Futures Lab⁠, in partnership with ⁠Earth Venture Foundation⁠, Code Green is a podcast and newsletter series that deep dives into the intersection of AI and climate-tech in Asia. Cutting through the hype and silos of knowledge, Code Green will foster interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and surface voices from the ground. Through this season and an accompanying monthly newsletter, we will showcase emerging climate AI research and provide a socio-technical perspective on the implications of adopting AI for climate action. Sign up for updates ⁠here⁠. Credits Audio Editing: Sharon Joseph and Shivranjana Rathore Attributions Intro and Outro - ⁠Retro Sounds⁠, ⁠Alban_Gogh⁠ Transitions - ⁠Meditative Background Music⁠, ⁠white_records⁠