Artificial Intelligence in Climate Change Research: An Overview of Impact and Application Areas

This work presents a comprehensive meta-analysis aimed at characterizing the intricate landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications and their impact within the domain of climate change research, both in adaptation and mitigation efforts. Notably, a significant upswing in this interdisciplinary intersection has been observed since 2020. Utilizing advanced topic clustering techniques and qualitative analysis, we have discerned 12 distinct impact and application areas: disaster and risk management, ecosystems and biodiversity, infrastructure and industry, the energy sector, agriculture, healthcare, land use and urban planning, emissions and materials, businesses and information science, wildfires, and water and marine environments. The work furnishes a data-rich panoramic view regarding the functions and roles that AI takes on in these areas. Identified tasks range from predicting and forecasting, to measuring, monitoring, classifying, modelling, and sensing, among others. The intention is to offer valuable guidance to the scholarly community and propel further research endeavors, encouraging meticulous examinations of research trends and gaps in addressing the formidable challenges posed by climate change.