Published Paper
Article Details
METAVERSE
AND CLIMATE
AUTHORED BY
- SHRAYASH SHRIWAS
Abstract
India is a diversified
nation with a rich culture and a wide range of flora and fauna. But
because of numerous anthropogenic activities, the nation has witnessed
tremendous environmental, natural resource, and animal degradation throughout
the years. The industrial revolution and technological advancements have significantly
contributed to this destruction, leading to air and water pollution, soil
erosion, climate change, and the extinction of several species. India is a
country with a wide range of biodiversity, a wealth of natural resources, an
impressive variety of wildlife, and a lively cultural heritage. However, the
country's ecosystem and biodiversity have suffered as a result of the extensive
destruction of its environment and natural resources over the years. Metro
cities, like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, have been identified as one of the
most polluted places on earth. Industrialization, vehicle emissions, and the
combustion of fossil fuels are the primary causes of this pollution. In
addition, poor disposal of waste and industrial discharge has severely contaminated
the nation's rivers and lakes as well.India's rich cultural heritage is also at
risk due to the destruction of its environment and natural resources. The
country's forests, which are home to several indigenous communities, are being
destroyed to make way for industrialization and urbanization. To control and
protect India's wildlife and natural resources, the government has enacted
several environmental laws and guidelines. The continued destruction of the
environment and wildlife is a direct result of the inadequacy of these laws
implementation and enforcement. Lack of public and official awareness has also
contributed to the ineffectiveness of these laws. In this paper we will
critically analyze the effect of Metaverse or web3 on the environment and human
life.
Keywords: Environment,
Technological-advancement, Law, Industrialization, natural resources,
Introduction
Looking back a decade
ago, in 2013, the climate was noticeably different from what we experience
today. During that time, the summer season spanned from march to June, and the
rainy season typically spanned from July to the end of September, while the
winter season lasted from October to mid-February.[1] (Division, 2020) It was possible to construct and
plan homes for future needs without worrying about sudden climate shifts.
Everything was in accordance with the natural order. However, when we compare
the current weather patterns with those of 2013, we observe a significant
transformation in climate. There has been a drastic rise in temperature,
particularly during the summer season, which is getting hotter and more severe
with each passing year. Furthermore, summer seems to be extending into other
seasons, and throughout the year, it feels like summer most of the time. The
primary cause of this temperature escalation is Global Warming. Greenhouse
gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane capture the heat from the Sun in
the Earth's atmosphere, which is the cause of global warming. It is typical for
our atmosphere to have certain greenhouse gases. They aid in keeping the
planet's temperature livable. However, too many greenhouse gases can result in
excessive warmth. The amount of CO2 in our atmosphere rises as a result of the
burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil. This occurs as a result of the air's
carbon and oxygen being combined during combustion to create CO2. We need to
keep an eye on CO2 levels because too much of it can warm the Earth too much.
Governments throughout the world has taken initiative to the regulate CO2
emissions, which are generally called as “Environmental Laws.”
The industrial revolution
of 18thcentury, which began in Great Britain and eventually expanded
to Europe, North America and to the whole world, was a time when, in a short
period of time, businesses abruptly switched from using human labour to using
machinery, is considered the introduction of climate change.[2]Heavy machinery was installed in
factories so that things could be produced on a huge scale. Productivity significantly
increased as a result of these devices, which allowed manufacturers to make
items faster and more effectively than ever. However, the utilization of large
machinery in industries required a steady stream of energy to keep the
equipment working. These machineries were first powered by steam, which was
produced by burning coal. Later, when electricity was invented, manufacturers
switched to electric power since it was more dependable and effective. Modern
industrial economies have grown and developed tremendously as a result of the
usage of fossil fuels and electricity to power manufacturing. It's important to
remember that, even though mass manufacturing of commodities has significantly
increased productivity and economic growth, it has also had unfavorable effects
including environmental degradation and labour exploitation. Therefore, it's
critical to strike a balance between the advantages of industrialization and
the requirement for ethical and ecological practices.
The CO2 concentration was
280ppm before the Industrial Revolution and has fluctuated between 180 and
280ppm over the last few centuries. The CO2 concentration has reached 409.8 ppm
(parts per million) in 2019, higher than at any point in at least the past
800,000 years.[3] As these industries grew, Capitalism
started taking over and now we live in a capitalist society. Capitalism is an
economic system in which private individuals or businesses own capital goods.
At the same time, business owners (capitalists) employ workers (labor) who only
receive wages; labor does not own the means of production but only uses them on
behalf of the owners of capital.[4] The core idea of capitalism is
maximizing profit for the capitalist (i.e., the owner) and minimizing outflow
of capital to the workers.
The Industrial Revolution
marked a significant shift in society, as it introduced new manufacturing
processes and technology that transformed the way goods were produced and
consumed. Fast forward to the present day, and we're experiencing a similar
shift with the emergence of the web and technology. The web and technology have
given rise to a digital revolution, with advancements in fields such as AI,
machine learning, and automation transforming how we work and live. The
convergence of the industrial revolution and the digital revolution has led to
the rise of smart factories and Industry 4.0, where connected machines and
devices are integrated to optimize manufacturing processes and supply chain
management. How we communicate and access information has also changed as a
result of the internet and technology. As social media and internet platforms
have grown in popularity, we can now communicate and exchange information
quickly with people around the globe. The industrial and digital revolutions,
two profound social transformations, have combined to produce even greater
innovations and advances in production, communication, and technology.The
Industrial Revolution changed how goods were made and consumed, and today we
are experiencing a similar shift with the emergence of the web and technology.
The digital revolution has led to advances in fields like AI and automation,
transforming how we work and live. Smart factories and Industry 4.0 optimize
manufacturing and supply chain management using connected devices. The internet
and technology have also changed how we communicate and access information.
Social media and internet platforms allow for quick global communication and a
new generation of content creation tools. The combination of the industrial and
digital revolutions has led to even greater innovations in production,
communication, and technology. (Ashwani Sharma, 2020)
HISTORY
Concern over the effects
of human activities on the natural world led to the establishment of environmental
law on a worldwide scale. Laws prohibiting actions thought to be harmful to the
environment have a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations.
Nonetheless, the foundations for contemporary environmental law were laid in
the twentieth century. The Convention for the Protection of Wild Animals,
Birds, and Fish in Africa was signed in 1900 and was the first significant
international environmental pact.[5] Overhunting and illicit poaching of
African animals were two of the main concerns that prompted the agreement.[6] Europe's Agreement for the
Preservation of Birds Important to Agriculture was signed in 1902 to stop
illegal bird hunting. The United Nations was essential in the formulation of
international environmental law. The United Nations (UN) was established in
1945, and in 1972, the UN Conference on the Human Environment was convened in
Stockholm. This conference was the first significant international gathering to
focus on environmental concerns. The meeting resulted in the establishment of the
Stockholm Declaration, which recognized the importance of environmental
protection and advocated for international collaboration to address
environmental problems. The Stockholm Declaration was adopted as a result of
the conference. Several international environmental treaties and agreements
were drafted in the wake of the Stockholm Conference. These include CITES (the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora), CBD (the Convention on Biological Diversity), and the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Among the environmental concerns that
these pacts sought to address were those of wildlife preservation,
biodiversity, and climate change. Following the Stockholm Conference, several
international environmental treaties and agreements were created, including the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and
climate change were addressed by these agreements.
PROVISIONS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT IN THE INDIAN LEGAL SYSTEM
The Constitution of India gives its citizens the right to live in a clean
and unpolluted environmentas a fundamental right under Article-19 and makes it
a fundamental duty to protect and preserve it underArticle-51A(g) which came
from the Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP). Since the Stockholm
declaration of 1972 many legislations were passed by the government of India to
control and prevent pollution and to protect the environment, such as –
·
TheWildlife (Protection) ACT, 1972
·
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974
·
The Air (prevention and control of pollution)
act, 1981
·
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
·
The energy conservation act, 2001
·
Biological diversity act 2002
·
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA)
·
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
·
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016
These laws all function to ensure that individuals adhere to the
regulations in their respective jurisdictions. To some extent, these
regulations aid in pollution management. We can see that these policies have
made some advancements in reducing pollution.
We live in a digital era where everything is going digital or on the
verge of going digital, this digitalization is shown to us but its effect on
the environment is not shown or even talked about
The METAVERSE
The Metaverse is a
ground-breaking concept which has gained popularity in recent years. It’s like
a clone of the real world, made with the integration of various technologies
like social media, online gaming, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR)
to provide people with a never seen before immersive and interactive
experience. Through the help of AR and VR technology people throughout the
world can come together at one place and participate in all sorts of activities
like socializing with friends, attending concerts, shopping and even attend
marriages, play, learn, etc., as if they were there, breaking the location
barrier.Cryptocurrency is the currency of the metaverse,all the transactions in
the metaverse are done through cryptocurrencies which are built on blockchain
technology. Blockchain is a decentralized network which ensures anonymous,
transparent, and secure transactions of currency and digital assets from one
user to another. The Metaverse relies heavily on cloud-based storage. The cloud
serves as a digital storage vault, housing all the necessary data and assets
required for the functioning of the Metaverse. This allows the users to access
their virtual identities, possessions, and experiences from any device with an
internet connection. A fast and low-latency internet connection is essential
for the smooth operation of the Metaverse.
Neal Stephenson, a
science fiction novelist, originally used the word "metaverse" in his
1992 book “Snow Crash”[7]. Since then, the idea has developed
and grown to include an entirely immersive virtual setting that incorporates
virtual reality, augmented reality, and other technologies. By delivering a
fully immersive and linked experience that seamlessly combines the real and
virtual worlds, it has the potential to completely transform how we live, work,
and play. The effects of the metaverse on human life and the environment,
however, are also a source of worry. As individuals spend more time online, one
of the major worries is the possibility of addiction and social isolation. Concerns
have also been raised concerning the environmental impact of the energy and
materials needed to build and maintain the metaverse's infrastructure.
METAVERSE IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT
Metaverse is still in its
developing stage, its initial prototypes are out, but it’s just the beginning
of the new virtual era which is yet to come. Just like a coin, everything has
two sides, the introduction of metaverse also has two sides i.e., positive and
negative.
There is little study of
the environmental effects of the metaverse because the idea is still new and in
it’s developing stage. However, some professionals have raised concerns about
the amount of power needed to sustain the metaverse, in addition to the
creation and eventual disposal of the hardware required to enter it.
3.1.1Positive effect of Metaverse
3.1.1.1Virtual products and experiences
According to UNEP it
takes 3,781 liters of water to make one pair of jeans which equates to the
emission of around 33.4 kilograms of carbon equivalent.[8] The rise of virtual experiences has
given brands great opportunities to develop sustainable products. Brands can
minimize their textile waste and chemical waste by using virtual experiences to
showcase their products, reducing the need for physical samples and wasteful
materials. It also allows brands to get valuable feedback from consumers
without the need to make physical prototypes, which require tremendous amounts
of resources and impact the environment, while providing customers with an
immersive and engaging experience by utilizing virtual technology. One example
of this is NFTs (non-fungible tokens), which are alternatives to traditional
physical arts. These digital products can be sold and traded without the need
for shipping, packaging, or physical production, significantly reducing their
carbon emissions.
Many well-known brands
are already taking advantage of these opportunities. For example, Gucci, the
high-end fashion house, has opened a virtual boutique on the massively popular
platform The Sandbox, where users can buy exclusive Gucci merchandise[9]. Brands like Nike[10] and Adidas[11] had also become part of those
companies with a metaverse presence to develop virtual experiences for the
customers.
Simulation for Real world Scenarios
When compared to more
conventional training methods, simulation training in the metaverse has many
advantages. Learners can practice in a safe, controlled environment without the
risks of real-world training thanks to simulations in the metaverse that can
replicate real-world scenarios. In addition to that, the metaverse can also
offer a more engaging and interactive learning experience, which can improve
skill development. Learners can collaborate with others in the virtual world,
receive instant feedback, and track their progress easily.
Cloud
Computing
Cloud computingrefers to
a digital locker or digital storage which is not present on the device itself
like micro-SD card, hard drives, etc., rather it is present on the internet,
the saved date can be accessed from anywhere and across various devices through
internet, no need to transfer the data manually. Cloud computing technology is
used to store the metaverse's massive amounts of data. This encourages smaller
data storage facilities to switch to cloud storage, which may benefit the
environment. Microsoft's lifecycle analysis found that Microsoft Cloud was
22–93% more energy efficient than regular physical datacenters. Cloud service
providers also invest heavily in renewable energy.[12] According to Google, they will shift
to cloud data centers on carbon-free energy by 2030[13] and Microsoft by 2025.
Providing the virtual experience
The Metaverse brings a
whole new opportunity for people to visit places they have always wanted to
visit but couldn’t physically visit. It makes it possible for the user to
travel across the globe without leaving their home, making it accessible for
people who are physically incapable of travelling to explore and experience
virtual versions of the location. A person can visit courts virtually or even
see a proceeding as if he was present there. This can also help in attending
international conferences and meetings, also reducing the traveling cost and
carbon emission caused by travelling.
Breaks the location barrier
The Metaverse breaks the
geographical barrier between persons, lets say someone is sick and can be
treated by a doctor from foreign country, through metaverse one can visit the
doctor in the virtual world without any need to go there. This can also be
useful for people who live in foreign countries for attending events such as
concerts, launching events, gathering, and watching movies with their friends
from other countries.
The Metaverse breaks the
geographical barrier between people. This can be useful for people who live in
foreign countries for attending events such as concerts, launch events,
gathering, and watching movies with their friends.This is a significant development
as it allows for increased global connectivity and fosters a sense of community
among individuals who may be geographically dispersed. Through the metaverse,
people can attend virtual meetings, conferences, and events without the need
for travel, reducing costs and environmental impact.
EFFECT OF METAVERSE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The most well-known
artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are Bing AI, Bard AI, and ChatGPT from
Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, respectively.To train these AI chatbots
algorithms, also known as models, are required to carry out tasks by analyzing
data, these chatbots need highly powerful and advancedhardware housed in
sizable data centers situated across the world.This process is called training.
The popularity of ChatGPT has inspired other companies to develop their own AI
systems and chatbots or create products that utilize big AI models to offer new
features to various users.The process of training a sizable AI model has been
found to produce more than 626,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent, or
nearly five times the lifetime emissions of the typical American car (including
the manufacturing of the car itself), according to research from the University
of Massachusetts, Amherst.[14]
Conclusion
The metaverse indeed
offers remarkable benefits that can help us advance in many ways. But the price
of developing it raises certain questions. The cost is already considerable at
this point, and it will continue to increase as the metaverse gains popularity
and utilization. Additionally, a fully developed metaverse requires a lot of
resources. To determine if we are willing to make such sacrifices, we must
carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option.It’s important to
strike a balance between the digital and physical worlds and recognize that
each has its own unique value and benefit. We humans are social and physical
creatures the more we isolate from society and nature the more miserable we
become.
The metaverse sure has
some amazing benefits which will help us advance in many ways but the cost at
which it comes is the issue. It is just at its beginning stage and the cost at
this stage is this high imagine when it becomes full-fledged what will be the
cost? And to reach that stage how much resource will be used, Is it worth the cost?
It’s important to strike a balance between the digital and physical worlds and
recognize that each has its own unique value and benefits. Digital world can
never replace the physical world, we humans are physical and social beings the
more we distance ourselves from the nature and the environment the more lonely
and sad we become
[1] PUBLICATION DIVISION,
INDIA 2020: REFERENCE ANNUAL BOOK5(Publications Division Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting 2020).
[2]Ahmed, F., Ali, I.,
Kousar, S. et al. The environmental impact of industrialization and foreign
direct investment: empirical evidence from Asia-Pacific region. Environ Sci
Pollut Res 29, 29778–29792 (2022).
[3]Lindsey, R. Climate
Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. 2019. Available online: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide
[4]The Investopedia team,
What Is Capitalism: Varieties, History, Pros & Cons, Socialism,
Investopedia, (Apr. 23, 2023, 3:28 PM), https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/capitalism.asp
[5]Philippe Sands,
Principles of International Environmental Law (Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press, 2003) at 524
[6]Preamble of the London
Convention of 1900
[7]STEVEN LEVY, Neal
Stephenson Named the Metaverse. Now, He’s Building It, WIRED, (Apr. 23,
2023, 07:43 PM), https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-neal-stephenson-named-the-metaverse-now-hes-building-it/
[8] United Nations
Environment Program, https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/cleaning-couture-whats-your-jeans (Apr. 28, 2023).
[13]Urs Hölzle, Announcing
‘round-the-clock clean energy for cloud, Google Cloud, (Apr. 29, 2023,
12:19 AM)
[14]Karen Hao, Training
a single AI model can emit as much carbon as five cars in their lifetimes,
MIT technology Review, (Last visited Apr. 24, 2023, 11:53 AM) https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/06/06/239031/training-a-single-ai-model-can-emit-as-much-carbon-as-five-cars-in-their-lifetimes/
Article Information
Metaverse And Climate
Authors: Shrayash Shriwas
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2023/10/02
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Access Open Access
- License CC 4.0
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