Leaders from various businesses and advocacy groups gathered at the annual Indiana Climate Summit in Danville to discuss the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy production and usage. The speakers emphasized that embracing technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), presents unique opportunities for the agriculture sector to make environmentally responsible decisions.
Claudia Roessler, the director of agriculture at Microsoft, highlighted the slow adoption of technology in agriculture over the past decade but noted a positive shift. Microsoft is collaborating with companies to implement AI programs that record growing patterns, monitor weather conditions, and provide crucial data for informed decision-making. Roessler emphasized the significance of reducing inputs, making granular decisions, and implementing sustainable farming practices such as smart irrigation to conserve water.
The impact of agriculture on the global economy and greenhouse gas emissions was also discussed. Chris Cook, the executive of Syngenta’s sustainable solutions business unit, emphasized that agriculture is a crucial frontier for conservation worldwide. Syngenta, a multinational agricultural technology company, works with farmers globally to enhance crop productivity and develop safer and more environmentally friendly growing methods. Cook stressed the need for farmers to lead the way in developing production protocols that align with environmental sustainability and economic viability, especially with the projected global population of 10 billion by 2050.
The summit organizers highlighted the correlation between environmental responsibility and increased profitability. They referenced a recent Morgan Stanley survey of over 300 companies across various industries, where more than 80% viewed greater sustainability as a potential driver of increased revenue. Sarah Beth Aubrey, CEO of the Envoy Group and a summit organizer, emphasized that the energy transition is underway and urged attendees to consider their commitment to these issues and work towards practical solutions.