Innovative tech industry at the core of the green transition Ryynänen Anni Published: Jun 20, 2023 Sustainability Working at Vaisala With the complex and pressing issue of climate change impacting all of us, the need for everyone to collectively work towards more sustainable economies has never been more apparent. To encourage a joint effort for a greener future, Vaisala joined forces with Women in Tech Finland to organize a panel discussion ‘the Makers of the Green Transition’. The stage was set for an enlightening conversation as the panelists, Vaisala’s own brilliant professionals Anne Jalkala, Jenni Brunila, Jing Lin and Daniela Villalba de Kokkonen discussed their take on the green transition and the opportunities the everchanging business environment offers to diverse and bright minds. Backgrounds and areas of expertise of manifold converged, bringing forth enlightening stories and ideas on the role of tech industry in the fight against climate change. The three areas of climate leadership “If we think about climate leadership, we can divide that into three aspects – it’s about understanding climate change, mitigating climate change, and adapting to it. And basically, Vaisala products – the measurements and data – are used in all of those three aspects.”, says Anne Jalkala. Vaisala aids climate scientists in developing better climate models for understanding climate change, it supports industries in decarbonization and energy consumption reduction for climate change mitigation, and assists developing nations in adapting to the consequences of climate change with early warning weather systems – to name a few examples. Measurements enabling renewable energy production, AI, and more The transition towards renewables and clean energy production is at the core of all decarbonization and green transition pathways. Weather measurements, provided by Vaisala are at the core of this for instance measuring wind for wind turbines, solar radiation for solar farms, and water levels and precipitation for hydro plants, as Jing Lin explains. Hydrogen economy is an exciting example of how more efficient clean energy production enables various ways for more sustainable economies: Advanced technologies in renewable energy production are making the production of green hydrogen more economically viable and efficient, and the green hydrogen can be used for example in fueling transportation or running processes to make chemicals. Another example of the importance of clean energy is the AI revolution: Data centers have been predicted to consume a significant portion, around twenty percent, of global electricity in the next decade. The data centers require optimal conditions such as the right temperature and humidity levels, and even a slight measurement error of one degree can result in an energy overconsumption of several percentages. Considering the exponential growth in processing power required by AI, the focus must be on enhancing data center energy efficiency. By offering accurate measurements in the data centers, Vaisala can help maximize the productivity benefits of AI while minimizing its environmental impact. Multidisciplinary talent and systems thinking at the core of innovative solutions It is evident, that an issue as complex as climate change requires exceptional intelligence: No one alone can solve the crisis, but it’s a collaborative effort. Diverse talent with different perspectives will be needed to come up with solutions to these complex issues. “We have to really try and be curious, and test and learn. And failure is not a bad thing – it means that we are moving forward and finding better ways because it (the climate crisis) is a new thing for all of us”, says Jenni Brunila. Daniela Kokkonen advocates for systems thinking, which involves taking a holistic approach and understanding the underlying causes of the climate challenges: “When we are thinking already in advance the impact of these innovations in every dimension – the social, economic and environmental dimension – we can create solutions that are not really going to create issues down the road for our future generations to handle”. It is clear, that the climate crisis calls for all hands on deck for a cleaner planet and sustainable future. Expertise and perspectives from diverse backgrounds will be what creates the trailblazing innovations for more sustainable economies. It’s not about one voice but all the voices! For more about the above topics and inspiration for climate action click to the recording from the panel discussion: Vaisala talks with Women in Tech: 'Makers of the Green Transition' panel discussion - YouTube.
