AI Agency in Climate Emergency is a daring and topical examination of how AI is evolving from a stand-alone solution to a crucial, integrated force in the fight against climate change. In a time of increasing inequality, dwindling forests, failing infrastructure, and rising oceans, it repositions AI as a new type of agent inside ecological, political, and social systems. The book's 20 chapters and six themes cover energy decarbonization, foresight, agriculture, ecological monitoring, green finance, carbon markets, civic involvement, and behavioural change. Its fundamental strength is AI's developing agency, which includes the ability to recognize patterns that are inaccessible to humans, adjust in real time, and close the knowledge-to-action gap.

Yet this is not technological determinism. It is about ethics, imagination, and governance. Justice, transparency, and solidaritynot speedmust guide AI in climate action. The book envisions AI that is inclusive, adaptive, accountable, and context-aware, offering a roadmap for scholars, professionals, and citizens in the urgent systemic shift ahead.

Repositions AI as an active agent in climate systems, not just a passive tool for analysis or automation Bridges climate science, ethics, and governance to envision inclusive, adaptive, and accountable AI futures Covers a full spectrum of climate responsesfrom decarbonization to behavioural changethrough AI-driven insight

Autorentext

Ali CHESHMEHZANGI is a Professor and Head of the School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP) at The University of Queensland. He is the Brisbane Olympics Committee member for Games Legacy and Growth Sub-Committee as well as the Expert member of the 2032 Games led by UQ. He has been in the World’s top 2 percent field leader since 2022, recognised by Stanford University. He is among the top 25 global scholars in the urban sustainability research area. Ali has a wealth of experience, expertise, and a strong commitment to innovation and excellence in the fields of architecture, design, and planning, the three core disciplines of his School at UQ. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the academic and professional communities, with a focus on sustainable and environmentally conscious design. Prior to joining UQ, Ali held several strategic leadership and senior managerial roles, such as Vice-President for International Engagement and Global Partnership, Founding Director and Head of the Center for Innovation in Education and Research, Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Founding Director of the Urban Innovation Lab, Director of a university-wide Teaching and Learning platform, Director of International Research Network for Rural and Urban Development, Founder and Head of Research Group for Sustainable Built Environment, co-director of university-wide research priority areas, Director of Center for Sustainable Energy Technologies, and Interim Director of Digital Design Lab. So far, Ali has published over 500 journal papers, articles, conference papers, book chapters, and reports. This is his 50th academic book, alongside his many poetry collections that he has written in Parsi/Persian and English. Some of his previous academic books have received awards at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. He also has received international awards and recognition for his research on urban resilience studies and sustainability research, as well as a 2018 Vice-Chancellor’s award for his impactful contribution to higher education.

Zusammenfassung

AI Agency in Climate Emergency is a daring and topical examination of how AI is evolving from a stand-alone solution to a crucial, integrated force in the fight against climate change. In a time of increasing inequality, dwindling forests, failing infrastructure, and rising oceans, it repositions AI as a new type of agent inside ecological, political, and social systems. The book's 20 chapters and six themes cover energy decarbonization, foresight, agriculture, ecological monitoring, green finance, carbon markets, civic involvement, and behavioural change. Its fundamental strength is AI's developing agency, which includes the ability to recognize patterns that are inaccessible to humans, adjust in real time, and close the knowledge-to-action gap.

Yet this is not technological determinism. It is about ethics, imagination, and governance. Justice, transparency, and solidaritynot speedmust guide AI in climate action. The book envisions AI that is inclusive, adaptive, accountable, and context-aware, offering a roadmap for scholars, professionals, and citizens in the urgent systemic shift ahead.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Awakening the Machine Mind: AI as a Force for Planetary Response in Dealing with Our Collective Climate Emergency. Part I. AI for Climate Foresight: Monitoring, Prediction, and Rapid Response.- Chapter 2. Reimagining the Climate Lens: AI-Powered Modelling for a World in Flux.- Chapter 3. From Signal to Survival: AI-Driven Early Warning Systems for a Climate-Risk Era.- Chapter 4. Seconds Ahead: AI for Real-Time Disaster Response and Life-Saving Logistics.- Part II. AI-Driven Energy System Optimization and Decarbonization.- Chapter 5. The Intelligent Grid: AI at the Heart of a Flexible, Renewable Energy Future.- Chapter 6. Invisible Savings: AI for Energy Efficiency Across Built, Industrial, and Mobility Systems.- Chapter 7. Moving Clean: AI for Decarbonizing Transport and Electrifying Mobility Systems.- Part III. AI-Enhanced Urban Planning and Climate-Responsive Infrastructure.- Chapter 8. Living Models: Digital Twins for Climate-Responsive Urban Futures.- Chapter 9. Designing with Climate: AI for Climate-responsive Architecture, Urban Form, and Microclimate in a Warming World.- Chapter 10. The Vigilant City: AI for Predictive Maintenance and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure.- Part IV. AI for Climate-Smart Land Use and Agriculture.- Chapter 11. Farming with Foresight: AI for Precision Agriculture and Resource Efficiency.- Chapter 12. Carbon Sequestration Tracking: AI for Measuring the Invisible in Soil, Forests, and Landscapes.- Chapter 13. Eyes on the Forest: AI for Real-Time Deforestation Detection and Land Protection.- Part V. AI for Transparent Carbon Accounting and Climate Finance.- Chapter 14. Algorithms of Accountability: AI for Emissions Tracking in a Carbon-Constrained World.- Chapter 15. Intelligent Capital and Decoding Green: AI for Climate-Responsive Investment and Green Finance Revolution.- Chapter 16. Markets That Matter: AI for Carbon Credit Integrity and Climate-Aligned Trading.- Part VI. **** AI for Climate-Conscious Citizenship and Behavioural Change.- Chapter 17. From Awareness to Impact for the Reflective Citizen: AI-Powered Eco-Feedback for Sustainable Choices.- Chapter 18. Gamification and Incentivising Impact: AI, Nudging, and the Psychology of Sustainable Action.- Chapter 19. Voices in the System with Algorithmic Participation: AI for Inclusive Climate Governance, Civic Engagement, and Policy Co-Creation.- Chapter 20. Catalysts of Change: AI as a Compass in the Climate Emergency.