ManglarIA: Saving Nature with Artificial Intelligence. How WWF is Using AI to Help Mangroves Adapt

In episode 217 of America Adapts, we dive into World Wildlife Fund’s ManglarIA (“AI for Mangroves” in Spanish), a new initiative supported by Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. This pioneering initiative is using advanced technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to understand how mangrove ecosystems and their contributions to communities are affected by climate change and its impacts. You will take a journey to the Yucatán in Mexico as we visit some spectacular mangrove forests with WWF Mexico staff, and you’ll learn how they are using state-of-the art sensors and drones to collect needed data and using AI to help with coastal adaptation planning. You’ll also hear from local Mexican community members who are participating in and benefiting from the project. This episode highlights the groundbreaking adaptation work WWF is doing to adapt our natural systems to a changing climate.

Transcript available here. 

Topics covered:

• Overview of WWF's ManglarIA project, which focuses on using AI to understand the impacts of climate change on mangrove ecosystems
• Importance of mangroves for carbon storage, coastal protection, and local economies in Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula
• Role of local communities in installing sensors, providing observations, and benefiting from weather stations
• Concerns about AI's energy consumption and how the ManglarIA project is addressing it
• Explanation of AI fundamentals, applications, and challenges by WWF's Chief Data Scientist
• Google.org's support for climate adaptation efforts using AI and other technologies
• Field trip to the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and interviews with local community members

Experts in this Episode:

·         Shaun Martin, Vice President, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, World Wildlife Fund - US

·         David Thau, Global Data and Technology Lead Scientist, World Wildlife Fund – US

·         Brigette Hoyer Gosselink – Director of AI and Sustainability, Google.org

·         Alejandra Calzada, Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, World Wildlife Fund - Mexico

·         Gonzalo Sanson, Coastal Ecosystems Senior Officer, World Wildlife Fund - Mexico

·         Frida Castillo, field officer, Yucatan

·         Elena Meza Conde, hotel owner, Villa de Pescadores, Mexico

·         Manuel Marrufo, beekeeper, Ria Lagartos, Mexico

·         Gammariel Maldonado, ecotourism service provider, Yalmakan, Mexico

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