environment

AI models and energy use, negative impacts on the environment

Legislation Must Consider AI’s Energy Demands and Environmental Costs

Much of the focus on the potential hazards of generative AI technology has understandably been on how it impacts artists and copyright ownership, and how it could affect people's jobs and wages. New research shows that the dangers of generative AI go much further and may be catastrophic for the environment.

How Nick Brandt Shot ‘The Day May Break – Chapter Two’

Nick Brandt is a conservation photographer whose themes highlight humankind's destructive impact on animals and the natural world. The Day May Break – Chapter Two was shot in Bolivia, a country in western-central South America, over six weeks in February-March 2022.

These Photos Show How Much Plastic Enters the Ocean Every 60 Seconds

Photographer Benjamin Von Wong recently came across a statistic that shocked him: "Every 60 seconds, the equivalent of a truckload of plastic enters the ocean." Wanting to make a difference, Von Wong decided to toss an actual truckload of plastic into the ocean to create photos showing the magnitude of the problem.

These Before and After Photos Show How Glaciers in the US Are Melting

Over the past several years, the U.S. Geological Survey has been shooting a "Repeat Photography" project in various locations to show how glacier ice has been retreating over the past century. Using photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s as references, photographers are rephotographing those same scenes to show how things have changed (and are changing).

Company Plans to Send 28 Tiny Satellites Into Space to Collect Aerial Photos

There are a couple of different types of imaging satellites currently orbiting our planet. On one end of the spectrum are specialized satellites that gather very high-resolution imagery in which you can identify objects as small as 3 feet across. On the other are the lower resolution satellites that beam down photos of larger areas.

California company Planet Labs wants to fill the space in-between, by providing an affordable middle-of-the-road option for companies interested in using it. To that effect, they're planning on launching 28 tiny, mid-resolution satellites called "Doves" into space before the year is out.