I think it’s time we all recognize that Climate Change is a reality we are currently living in. Recent research showing that global temperatures could increase by 2% by 2030. That’s not that far away in retrospect, and there’s a need for everyone to play their part in tackling global environmental issues.

Microsoft through its AI for Earth program is actively working with people and organizations around the world. The issues they’re tackling include lowering carbon emissions, using more renewable energy and innovate in environmental data science to create sustainable solutions for the environment.

Camden Howitt and his company, Sustainable Coastlines, teamed up with Microsoft to help rid the world’s coasts of massive amounts of waste and garbage. Leveraging an AI-powered tool, it captures and categorizes beach litter and therefore better determining where to focus their efforts.

Since it’s founding in 2009, Sustainable Coastlines and volunteers have removed a lot of trash from shorelines around New Zealand and the Pacific. Just how much? Enough to fill the equivalent of nearly 45 shipping containers. This tech helped pick up tens of millions of individual items, 77% of which are single-use plastic.

Using tech to clean up the planet, and somewhat change the course of humanity against climate change is a noble effort. As much as deniers would like to spread nonsense, they’re living on this planet too. So let’s try and be sensible people, because this is the planet you’re raising your children on. The planet your children will raise theirs on. What kind of Earth do you really want to leave behind?