Importance of AI to address climate issues highlighted

LAHORE : The session 'Sustainability and Climate Change: Impact and Solutions & Sustainable Tourism and Heritage' held underscored the importance of integrating AI and data-driven approaches to address pressing environmental challenges.

Moderated by Mrs Imrana Tiwana, the panel highlighted Beaconhouse National University’s sustainable climate change model and featured student-led presentations. Mrs Imrana initiated the discussion by emphasising the importance of AI-based models in predicting climate changes, which are a cornerstone of BNU’s sustainability efforts. She then invited students to share their research.

Wahaj ul Islam presented his paper on waste management, explaining his motivation to develop a model that effectively disposes of waste using AI-based technologies. He outlined how these tools could revolutionise waste management policies. Following him, Amjad Tunio discussed his project on plastic waste management and its conversion into artwork. He highlighted the detrimental impact of plastic, which takes 450 years to decompose, and showcased artwork he created using plastic waste collected from BNU.

Mrs Imrana elaborated on BNU’s goal to become Pakistan’s first-ever green university. She spoke about the adverse effects of smog on Pakistan’s education system, noting how it disrupts students’ routines. Maha, another student, presented her research on using satellite-based sensors to monitor air quality and develop data-driven policies. She emphasised the lack of credible data related to sustainability and how such sensors could address this gap.

The session also highlighted BNU’s collaboration with WWF to create a carbon footprint monitoring initiative, which measures climate change on a weekly basis to guide policy-making.