The Metaverse – Environmental Impacts & Future

 

THE METAVERSE – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS & FUTURE



What Is the Metaverse?


Metaverse is a concept of a continuous 3D online universe that combines many different virtual spaces. You can think of it as a future iteration of the Internet. Metaverse will allow users to work, meet, play and socialize together in these 3D spaces.


Metaverse does not fully exist, but some platforms contain metaverse-like elements. Video games currently offer the nearest metaverse experience on display. Developers have gone beyond what the game is by hosting in-game events and creating virtual economies.

The Metaverse – Environmental Impacts & Future

Although cryptocurrencies are not required, they can be very suitable for the metaverse. It allows the creation of a digital economy using different types of tokens and virtual collectibles (NFTs). Metaverse will also benefit from the use of encryption portfolios, such as Trust Wallet and MetaMask. Also, blockchain technology can provide transparent and reliable governance systems.


Metaverse-like Blockchain apps already exist and provide people with a suitable income to live. Axie Infinity is one of the games played for profit that many users play to support their income. SecondLive and Decentraland are two other examples of a successful combination of blockchain and VR applications.


When we look to the future, big tech giants try to lead the way. However, the decentralized aspects of the blockchain industry allow young players to participate in the development of metaverse as well.


Related topic: What Is The Difference Between VR & AR



Some Analysts Are Concerned That Widespread Adoption Of The Metaverse MayLead To a Major Increase In Emissions



Metaverse. A vision for the future. The next great leap in the evolution of the Internet. The physical world blends with the digital world.


Strict closures during the epidemic have given rise to momentum in virtual reality and overwhelming augmented reality.


Users in this digital world may share their experiences and communicate with each other in real-time within simulated conditions. Microsoft refers to it as a "new version of the Internet." The amount, diversity and speed of users creating data will require the adoption of AI applications for analysis. Virtual reality (VR) technologies, which currently benefit from artificial intelligence techniques such as deep neural networks for careful hand tracking and deep eye-tracking learning, are likely to be used in the metaverse.



Metaverse - Positive Impact 


The main advantage of the environment is that it will significantly eliminate the need for human travel, resulting in reduced traffic, reduced accidents, reduced pollution, and thus reduce global warming.


For heads of political companies and large corporations, it will be easier to hold conferences in the virtual world, thus saving time along with the enormous expenditures on their security and travel.


According to a study published by the U.S. news site CleanTechnica, metaverse will help reduce other contaminated job-related activities. For example, military training activities, such as pilots flying warplanes in the virtual world, can be conducted in Metaverse, reducing emissions.


Event organizers can be provided with the huge money they have to spend on events such as concerts. The famous Fortnite video game saw 12.3 million people log in to watch rapper Travis Scott perform almost last year.


Metaverse - Negative Impact


Some analysts are concerned that the widespread adoption of metaverse could lead to a significant increase in emissions. Metaverse's reliance on virtual reality (VR) technology and data centres will have a detrimental impact on the environment, even while reducing carbon emissions by reducing travel. Data centres use Artificial  Intelligence to detect eye and hand movements, but virtual reality depends on cloud services. Operating such facilities requires a huge amount of energy, which comes at a great environmental cost.


According to a report by UK-based digital transformation consultancy ECS, training a single model of artificial intelligence may generate approximately 626,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, more than five times the average car's lifespan production, according to research by the University of Massachusetts.


Cloud services are essential for virtual reality and, as a result, for the metaverse. According to a 2020 analysis by Lancaster University academics, a scenario in which 30% of players switched to cloud gaming platforms by 2030 would lead to a 30% increase in carbon emissions above current games. Besides, metaverse will definitely need high-resolution images, which will enhance energy use further.


Last year, data centres implemented some improvements to become more environmentally friendly. Meta, or Facebook as we know, is committed to achieving net-zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2030.


Microsoft has pledged to operate its azure cloud platform entirely using renewable energy by 2025. By 2030, the company also plans to repack more water than it consumes and achieve a certificate of no waste.


Future Of Metaverse


Today, Metaverse exists emerging, with blockchain technology and digital products such as non-fungal symbols (NFTs). Blockchain is simply a digital ledger that contains a growing list of interconnected records or blocks using encryption techniques.


NFT is a non-fungible token that provides a solution to anything with a unique identity, be it art, gaming elements, souvenirs, etc., NFT is kept on an individual's personal blockchain address.


Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg comments on metaverse's future, noting that "privacy, security, open standards and interoperability will be essential in the metaverse."


In terms of the environment, there is an urgent need for governments and companies to invest heavily and provide green, clean and renewable energy. Reliance Industries took the lead here in India. They aim to develop the world's largest integrated renewable energy manufacturing facility. Its chairman Mukesh Ambani has committed to investing Rs 75,000 crore in this area over the next three years.







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