Climate Change

Solutions for Desertification – The Case of the Sahel and the Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, covering much of northern Africa, with an approximate stretch of 4,800 km. Its expansion is a growing concern, especially in the Sahel region, which transitions between the arid northern areas and the humid savannas to the south. Since the 1950s, rainfall in the Sahel has decreased by 30%, and the Sahara has expanded by about 10% compared to its size in 1920. Desertification is advancing at a rate of 7,600 km² per year, exacerbating food insecurity, unemployment, and conflicts in the region, forcing thousands to migrate to urban areas and other countries.

The Challenges of Desertification and Its Effects

Desertification leads to the loss of fertile soil, increasing environmental degradation and directly affecting agriculture. This situation triggers hunger, pushes communities into poverty, and reduces job opportunities in rural areas. Additionally, forced migration due to resource shortages and competition for water and land fuels social and political conflicts. Climate change intensifies these problems, increasing the frequency of droughts and storms, making the environment increasingly inhospitable.

Innovative Solutions for Environmental Restoration

Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR)

One of the most effective techniques for restoring degraded ecosystems is Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), developed in Niger by Tony Rinaudo. FMNR leverages existing tree stumps and roots, allowing native vegetation to regenerate. With a low cost of around $20 per hectare, this technique promotes soil recovery, increases water retention, and creates a microclimate favorable for agriculture. Regular repetition of the process ensures healthy plant growth, improving soil fertility and the quality of life for local communities.

Water Harvesting with Semi-Circular Structures (Demi-lunes)

Another effective strategy is the use of demi-lunes, crescent-shaped structures dug to capture rainwater. Positioned along the terrain’s contour lines, these structures help reduce erosion, increase water infiltration, and promote the growth of crops and native trees. In projects in Senegal, the construction of thousands of demi-lunes improved soil moisture and significantly boosted agricultural production, particularly for crops such as sorghum and millet.

Great Green Wall: A Barrier Against Desertification

The Great Green Wall is an ambitious initiative aiming to create an 8,000 km barrier of trees between Senegal and Djibouti to curb the Sahara's expansion. This project involves 11 African countries, combining reforestation with sustainable agricultural practices, promoting food security and local economic development. However, challenges such as low rainfall, community engagement, and the need for continuous funding remain obstacles to the project’s success.

Case Studies: Successful Experiences

Niger: Restoration and Social Impact

Niger stands out in adopting FMNR, having restored over 5 million hectares of land and regenerated 200 million trees since the 1980s. This initiative has directly benefited 2.5 million people, increasing average household income by up to 24%. The widespread adoption of the technique by farmers, supported by government decrees encouraging regeneration, was key to the project’s success. In addition to improving food security, the restoration efforts contributed to climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon and reducing rural-to-urban migration.

Senegal: Strengthening Food Security and Communities

In Senegal, the World Food Programme (WFP) transformed arid areas into productive farmland through the construction of demi-lunes and active community involvement. In one project, 7,500 demi-lunes were built over 30 hectares, mobilizing 150 people and increasing groundwater recharge by up to 15%. Furthermore, agricultural production was enhanced by planting local crops and fruit trees, strengthening social cohesion and reducing youth migration to cities.

Technical Data and Environmental Benefits

Restoring degraded areas has a significant impact on both climate and the economy. In Niger, regeneration increased tree density by tenfold, improving biodiversity and generating resources valued at over $260 million. Additionally, the carbon sequestration potential of the restored forests is estimated at up to 2 billion tons of CO₂ per year, contributing to global climate mitigation efforts. Improved soil health, promoted by falling leaves and organic matter, enhances water retention and recharges underground aquifers, bolstering community resilience against prolonged droughts.

Challenges and Sustainability of the Solutions

Community engagement is essential for the success of restoration initiatives. Overcoming initial skepticism and ensuring communities understand the practical benefits of the techniques is crucial. Moreover, the use of sustainable, low-cost practices such as FMNR and demi-lunes must be tailored to the local context and supported by public policies and continuous education. Environmental protection is also vital, requiring monitoring of restored areas and preventing activities that could compromise the results, such as overgrazing.

Green Building Day

The Green Building Day is coming to Cidade Matarazzo – Secure your ticket now!

The last edition of Green Building Day in Italy was phenomenal, and now it’s Cidade Matarazzo’s turn to host this exclusive event!

Cidade Matarazzo is a mega-luxury complex located in the heart of São Paulo, in the Bela Vista neighborhood, just 200 meters from Avenida Paulista. The project was envisioned by French entrepreneur Alexandre Allard, with the aim of transforming the former Matarazzo Hospital and other historic buildings, such as the Condessa Filomena Matarazzo Maternity Hospital and the Santa Luzia Chapel, into a vibrant space combining cultural preservation, cutting-edge architecture, and sustainability.

The 30,000-square-meter area includes three hectares of Atlantic Forest, integrating nature with urban life. The complex not only restores iconic buildings but also offers contemporary experiences with a focus on sophistication and sustainable innovation.

With an estimated investment of R$ 2 billion, Cidade Matarazzo stands out for its diverse uses. The former maternity hospital has been transformed into the Rosewood São Paulo, the first palace hotel in Latin America, designed by Jean Nouvel with interiors by Philippe Starck.

The Mata Atlântica Tower, part of the complex, is a true vertical garden with more than 10,000 native trees, making it the largest urban forest in the world. In addition to the hotel, the complex houses a corporate building designed by Rudy Ricciotti, a boulevard of luxury brands, 34 restaurants, and the Casa da Criatividade, which will host cultural exhibitions throughout the year.

At the event, you’ll have access to:

• Practical strategies for ESG and circular economy in construction

• Applied workshops and matchmaking with decision-makers

• Panels with market leaders on sustainable innovation

Secure your ticket now and get ready for a transformative experience:

Questions, sponsorship, or group discounts? Contact us by replying to this email.

Climate Change

Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change – Opportunities and Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative technologies of the modern era, but its rapid growth brings significant environmental concerns. While AI has the potential to help combat climate change, its environmental impact cannot be overlooked. In this edition, we explore this duality: how AI contributes to increased emissions and resource consumption while also offering solutions for more efficient environmental management.

The Growth of Energy Consumption with AI

With AI's expansion, data centers—the backbone of this technology—are experiencing exponential growth. Currently, there are over 8,000 data centers worldwide, with more than 5,000 located in the United States alone. These centers are growing at an annual rate of nearly 10%, driven by increasing demand for AI-based services. Projections indicate that by 2030, global data center energy consumption could increase by up to 160%, reaching levels comparable to the energy consumption of entire countries like Italy.

Moreover, developing and training advanced AI models relies on high-performance chips, such as those manufactured by Nvidia, which require substantial energy. These chips, essential for modern AI operations, consume as much energy as a small town's daily usage.

Environmental Impact of AI Operations

The growth of AI infrastructure has also led to a significant rise in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Companies like Microsoft and Google, which lead the sector, have faced criticism for their environmental impact. Since 2020, Microsoft’s emissions have increased by 30% due to the expansion of its data centers, while Google’s emissions have risen by nearly 50% over the past five years.

In addition, much of the energy used to power these data centers still comes from non-renewable sources, such as coal and natural gas. For instance, a coal plant in Nebraska remains active to supply energy to giants like Google and Meta, illustrating the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels. This scenario clearly shows how AI's expansion can exacerbate environmental issues without a transition to renewable energy.

AI as an Ally in Fighting Climate Change

Despite the challenges, AI also offers promising solutions for mitigating environmental impact. Companies have used AI to optimize processes and reduce energy consumption. For example, Foxconn managed to cut its energy demand by 30% using AI systems developed by Nvidia.

AI is also applied in environmental monitoring, helping to predict extreme weather events, track deforestation, and protect biodiversity. In the energy sector, AI algorithms have optimized the distribution of renewable energy, improving grid stability and reducing waste.

Challenges and Limitations of Green AI

While the efficiency improvements brought by AI are valuable, they come with a side effect known as the “Jevons paradox.” Increases in efficiency often lead to higher resource demand, potentially resulting in greater overall consumption. Additionally, the industry faces criticism for the high water usage required to cool data centers—in the U.S. alone, approximately 1.7 billion liters of water are consumed daily for this purpose.

Another challenge is ensuring that the energy used by data centers comes from clean sources. Unfortunately, many centers are still connected to grids powered by fossil fuels, undermining the environmental benefits AI could provide.

Pathways to a More Sustainable Future

Several initiatives are underway to mitigate AI’s impacts. One of the most promising developments is the creation of more energy-efficient chips, reducing power consumption without compromising performance. Additionally, companies are building data centers near renewable energy sources, such as hydropower plants and solar farms, and some are exploring underwater data centers to leverage natural water cooling.

Another strategy is optimizing AI algorithms to require less computational power and, consequently, less energy. Regulations are also needed to ensure companies disclose data on energy consumption and emissions, promoting greater transparency and accountability in the sector.

The Role of Ethics and Collaboration in AI Sustainability

Beyond environmental challenges, AI development must consider ethical and social issues. The data used to train models can be biased, failing to adequately represent different social groups. It is crucial for tech companies to adopt transparent practices. Governments, companies, and international organizations need to collaborate to address AI’s challenges and ensure its development aligns with global sustainability goals.

Sustainable Architecture

Are Green Skyscrapers a Bad Idea?

In this edition, we explore the phenomenon of green skyscrapers and vertical forests, which promise a new way to integrate nature and urban life. These structures are designed to accommodate vegetation on their façades and rooftops, creating a greener urban landscape more connected to the

environment. Examples such as the Bosco Verticale in Milan and Forest City in China highlight the visual appeal and ambition of these projects. However, a more critical analysis reveals that the promised sustainability does not always translate into tangible benefits.

The Promise and Reality Behind Green Buildings

The integration of vegetation into building façades aims to improve air quality, lower temperatures, and create more pleasant spaces for residents. In the case of Bosco Verticale, thousands of trees and shrubs were incorporated into the structure, with the promise that this greenery would absorb part of the CO₂ emitted in the city. Similarly, China's Forest City was envisioned as a direct response to urban pollution, offering an architectural green solution to air quality issues. However, recent studies indicate that these expectations may be overstated.

While vegetation does help reduce pollution at higher building levels, street-level ventilation decreases, increasing the concentration of harmful particles for pedestrians. This highlights the limited effectiveness of such projects, especially without careful planning of aerodynamic effects. In terms of thermal comfort, green buildings can reduce heat penetration and lower air-conditioning usage. However, these benefits depend on the local climate and the plant species used, which need to be highly resilient in hot regions or risk losing their effectiveness in colder seasons.

The Challenges and Limitations of Green Skyscrapers

One of the main criticisms of green buildings is the carbon footprint associated with their construction. These projects often rely on high-impact materials like reinforced concrete, whose production emits significant amounts of CO₂. At Bosco Verticale, it is estimated that the balconies alone emitted around 990 tons of CO₂ during construction. It would take over five decades for the building’s vegetation to offset this emission, raising doubts about the real sustainability of such projects.

Another major challenge is maintaining vegetation at high altitudes, which requires specialized labor and ongoing costs. Industrial climbers and gardeners are needed to ensure plant health, which not only increases operational expenses but also adds emissions associated with maintenance. Safety concerns are also relevant, as poorly secured branches or plants could fall and cause accidents. The durability of vegetation is questionable as well, as plants in artificial conditions often struggle, requiring frequent replacement.

These buildings are typically accessible only to affluent individuals, creating a problem of social exclusion. While residents enjoy private green spaces, the broader population remains without access to quality public spaces. This reinforces inequalities and limits the positive impact these solutions could have on the entire city.

More Effective Solutions for Sustainable Cities

A more efficient approach to promoting urban sustainability is investing in green infrastructure at ground level. Planting trees in parks, plazas, and along sidewalks offers a more practical and inclusive way to improve air quality and thermal comfort for the whole population. Creating green corridors and converting parking lots into public spaces also provides direct benefits and expands access to green areas.

Moreover, true urban transformation requires reducing dependence on cars and promoting the use of public transportation and bicycles. Sustainability should not be limited to building design but must include changes in how cities are planned and operated. The shift to renewable energy is another essential step, as green buildings connected to polluting power grids lose much of their environmental benefits.

In the construction sector, using lower-impact materials like engineered wood can be an effective solution. Projects like Forêt Blanche in Paris demonstrate that it is possible to combine innovative architecture and sustainability with wooden structures that support hundreds of trees. These alternatives offer a more promising path than merely placing plants on concrete façades.

Next UGREEN Events

Sustainable Business Mentoring

November 1st. Only available for UGREEN Pass members.

Present your career challenges and connect with participants worldwide during our monthly meetings, elevating your career to higher levels of effectiveness and influence.

Green Building Certifications Mentoring

November 7, 17, 21, and 28 at 9 AM. Available exclusively for UGREEN Pass members.

In today's eco-conscious world, understanding and applying environmental certifications is essential to set your projects apart. The Environmental Certifications Workshop provides practical, immediately applicable insights to elevate the sustainable standard of your buildings.

Sustainable Architecture Week

November 11th to 15th. Free to Participate.

Envision creating architectural wonders that not only captivate and inspire but also profoundly positively impact our planet. Sustainable Architecture Week is a transformative live event where innovation, cutting-edge technology, and sustainability unite to redefine the future of architecture.

This event is your chance to lead the way in sustainable design, adopting revolutionary practices that will shape the future of architecture and leave a meaningful legacy.