Future Tense
The cities that create rain; AI in warfare; and do carbon offsets really work?
Dec 5, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Professor Dev Niyogi reveals how urban design shapes rainfall patterns, introducing the intriguing 'wet island effect.' Dr. Megan Evans questions the efficacy of carbon trading schemes, shedding light on unexpected pollution consequences. Meanwhile, Professor Toni Erskine explores the ethical dilemmas of AI in warfare, addressing its impacts on decision-making and the potential loss of human judgment. Together, they tackle pressing issues at the intersection of climate change, urban planning, and military technology.
29:08
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Quick takeaways
- Urban design significantly influences local climate, with larger cities potentially enhancing rainfall through the wet island effect.
- The use of AI in military contexts poses serious accountability challenges, complicating decision-making and potentially exacerbating automation bias.
Deep dives
The Controversy of Carbon Credit Schemes
Carbon credit schemes are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing heavy polluters to offset their emissions through purchasing carbon credits. However, new research has raised significant doubts about their effectiveness, particularly regarding Human Induced Forest Regeneration (HIR) projects in Australia. It was found that a staggering 95% of these projects are on land that was never deforested, meaning credits are issued for regrowth in areas where trees would thrive regardless. Furthermore, discrepancies exist in actual carbon sequestration versus credited amounts, leading to more emissions persisting in the atmosphere than initially accounted for.
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