How would ChatGPT solve human-caused climate change?

We don't use ChatGPT for our science-backed climate courses or other articles, though we are super interested in how generative AI could be used to positively impact the world, in particular in combating climate change. It's a new, exciting and potentially useful tool we can thoughtfully deploy to benefit humanity and the rest of the planet.

So we asked it a deceptively simple question:

Dear ChatGPT, how would you solve anthropogenic climate change?

Here's the unedited version of what it said:

"Anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive approach to address. As an AI language model, I do not have a political or policy-making agenda, but I can provide some general ideas on how to address anthropogenic climate change based on the current scientific understanding.

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: The most important step to address anthropogenic climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal power, and by implementing energy efficiency measures in buildings, transportation, and industry.

2. Encourage reforestation and afforestation: Forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Therefore, reforestation and afforestation programs can help to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

3. Increase carbon sequestration: Carbon sequestration refers to the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in natural or artificial reservoirs, such as oceans, forests, and geological formations. There are various methods for carbon sequestration, including soil carbon sequestration, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and direct air capture (DAC).

4. Implement sustainable agriculture: The agriculture sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through methane emissions from livestock and nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use. Therefore, implementing sustainable agriculture practices, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and organic farming, can help to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

5. Promote climate education and awareness: Raising public awareness and promoting climate education can help to build support for climate action and encourage individuals to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives.

6. Collaborate globally: Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. International cooperation and collaboration are essential to addressing the issue, and policies and agreements such as the Paris Agreement provide a framework for coordinated action.

These are just a few examples of the many ways in which anthropogenic climate change can be addressed. However, it is important to recognize that addressing climate change requires a concerted effort from governments, businesses, and individuals alike, and it will require a sustained and long-term commitment."

Wow, we'll admit that's not half-bad.

We're not ceding our role in extending our climate impact and living our best climate lives to an AI just yet. All of the above are real-world, tactile and much needed ways we need to do more on, in line with the amazing science, to tackle this huge challenge (& opportunity) to reimagine the world by combating climate change.

Further reading (lovingly curated and handwritten by human brains):

- Is reducing emissions better than removing them?
- The difference between carbon neutral, net zero and climate positive
- Are individuals to blame for the climate crisis?
- Carbon removal 101
- Carbon avoidance vs carbon removal
- Scaling carbon removal in the voluntary carbon market
- Transitioning company offsets to carbon removal
- A carbon removal portfolio anyone can join
- How much carbon removal is in carbon neutral and net zero claims?
- What are avoidance offsets and the carbon markets?
- Why can avoidance offsets be ineffective for climate action?
- Easy-to-read, free, online climate courses