Recent scholarly work posits that the expansion of the metaverse may result in notable environmental gains, such as a decrease in global surface temperature by up to 0.02 degrees Celsius and a reduction in United States’ greenhouse gas emissions by 10 gigatons by mid-century. The research underscores the role that applications within the metaverse, such as telecommuting and virtual travel, could play in enhancing energy efficiency and contributing to decarbonization.
For proponents of technological advancements, the metaverse is seen as a transformative force that will affect myriad aspects of human life, from work to education to recreation. A newly published study by Cornell University provides evidence that the environment stands to gain from the growth of the metaverse as well.
According to the study, the metaverse could contribute to a reduction in global surface temperature by as much as 0.02 degrees Celsius by century’s end.
The research, recently published in the journal Energy and Environmental Science, utilized artificial intelligence-based models to scrutinize data across essential sectors such as technology, energy, the environment, and business. The aim was to forecast the growth and societal impact of the metaverse’s most promising applications, including remote work, virtual tourism, online learning, gaming, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
In their analysis, the researchers envisaged the metaverse’s growth trajectory up until 2050 across three potential scenarios—slow, medium, and rapid. They drew on historical data of past technological adoptions, like television, the internet, and smartphones, to predict future adoption rates. Additionally, they incorporated energy consumption metrics to gain a holistic view. Their models indicate that within the next three decades, more than 90% of the global population will adopt this technology.
Fengqi You, professor of energy systems engineering and the study’s senior author, stated, “The pace of metaverse adoption is likely to exceed our initial expectations. Unlike television, which took many years for universal adoption, we are currently in a period of rapid technological advancement, exemplified by smartphones.”
Major contributors to the development of the metaverse are industry leaders Meta and Microsoft, both of which were involved in the research. While Meta has been concentrating on individual experiences like gaming, Microsoft has been focusing on business applications, including remote meetings and distance education.
According to Professor You, the greatest environmental impact could come from reducing business travel. He elaborated, “Consider the implications for decarbonizing our transportation sector. Although electric vehicles are effective, they aren’t practical for international travel. Do we really need to fly to international destinations for meetings? This is an important consideration as we advance in technologies involving human-machine interfaces in a three-dimensional virtual environment.”
The paper goes on to quantify the potential environmental impact by 2050, stating that the metaverse could lower greenhouse gas emissions by 10 gigatons; decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by 4.0 ppm; reduce effective radiative forcing by 0.035 watts per square meter; and decrease total domestic energy usage by 92 exajoules, surpassing previous years’ nationwide energy consumption across all sectors.
These insights may be valuable for policymakers in formulating strategies to reach net-zero emissions and promoting more versatile approaches to decarbonization. Initiatives in metaverse-based telecommuting, online education, and virtual tourism could be endorsed to improve air quality. Besides mitigating emissions of air pollutants, lowering the consumption of energy in the commercial and transportation sectors could transform energy distribution, benefiting the residential sector.
Professor You concluded, “While the metaverse can play a role in reducing global surface temperatures by up to 0.02 degrees Celsius, it is not a panacea. The economy consists of multiple sectors, and relying solely on the metaverse for environmental gains would be impractical. However, if leveraged judiciously, it could make a meaningful contribution.”
The study received financial support from the National Science Foundation and was published under the DOI: 10.1039/D3EE00081H, authored by Ning Zhao and Fengqi You, and dated April 13, 2023, in the journal Energy and Environmental Science.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Metaverse and Climate Change
What does the recent study from Cornell University suggest about the metaverse’s role in climate change?
The study suggests that the growth of the metaverse could result in significant environmental benefits. This includes the potential to lower global surface temperature by up to 0.02 degrees Celsius and reduce the United States’ greenhouse gas emissions by 10 gigatons by the year 2050.
What applications within the metaverse are highlighted as environmentally beneficial?
The research specifically points to remote work and virtual travel as applications within the metaverse that could contribute to greater energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts.
Who are the key industry players driving the development of the metaverse according to the study?
Meta and Microsoft are identified as the two major industry contributors to the development of the metaverse. While Meta focuses on individual experiences such as gaming, Microsoft specializes in business solutions like remote conferencing and distance learning.
What methodology did the researchers use to analyze the metaverse’s environmental impact?
The researchers used AI-based modeling to analyze data from key sectors including technology, energy, environment, and business. They projected the growth of the metaverse through 2050 along three different trajectories—slow, nominal, and fast.
How quickly is the metaverse expected to grow according to the study?
The researchers indicate that within the next three decades, more than 90% of the global population will adopt metaverse technologies, exceeding initial expectations for its rate of adoption.
What is the most impactful way the metaverse could benefit the environment according to Professor Fengqi You?
Limiting business travel would generate the largest environmental benefit, according to Professor You. He suggests that as telecommuting and virtual meetings become more prevalent in a 3D virtual world, the need for international travel could significantly reduce, thus lowering carbon emissions.
What other environmental metrics could improve due to the metaverse by 2050?
By 2050, the study suggests that the metaverse could decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by 4.0 parts per million, reduce effective radiative forcing by 0.035 watts per square meter, and lower total domestic energy usage by 92 exajoules.
Can the metaverse alone solve the climate crisis?
No, the metaverse cannot solely resolve the climate crisis. As Professor Fengqi You stated, “There are so many sectors in this economy. You cannot count on the metaverse to do everything. But it could do a little bit if we leverage it in a reasonable way.”
Who funded the research?
The research was financially supported by the National Science Foundation.
Where was the research published?
The research was published in the journal Energy and Environmental Science, with the DOI: 10.1039/D3EE00081H, authored by Ning Zhao and Fengqi You, and dated April 13, 2023.
More about Metaverse and Climate Change
- Cornell University Study on Metaverse and Climate Change
- Energy and Environmental Science Journal
- National Science Foundation
- Meta’s Contributions to Metaverse
- Microsoft’s Role in Metaverse Development
- DOI: 10.1039/D3EE00081H
- Decarbonization Strategies
- Energy Efficiency and Its Impact
- Understanding Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Global Surface Temperature Data
8 comments
Cornell again with groundbreaking research! But I wonder how fast governments and organizations will adopt these metaverse technologies for the greater good.
Limiting business travel is a big one. I can’t count how many flights I’ve had to take for short meetings. Would love to see that change.
meta and Microsoft involved, huh? Makes me wonder if they funded the research to make themselves look good. Just a thought.
Interesting, but im skeptical. The metaverse consumes a lot of energy, right? So how’s it gonna help save the planet.
a 0.02-degree decrease sounds small, but its a start. The key is, can we leverage it in time to make a real difference?
Wow, this is really eye-opening. Who would’ve thought the metaverse could help in fighting climate change? I always thought it was just for games and stuff.
Fascinating study. It’s great to see that technology like the metaverse could actually contribute to something as crucial as climate change mitigation.
So the National Science Foundation funded this? Gives it more credibility imo. Looking forward to more studies like this.