Context :
Google
Says It’s Tweaking Apps to Let Users Factor Climate Change Into Daily Routines /
06 Oct 2021
Extract :
Google on Wednesday said it
is tweaking widely used tools for getting around, shopping and more to let
users factor climate change into daily routines.
New features unveiled on Wednesday provide users with ways to
help in the effort, whether it be driving routes that
result in less exhaust being spewed from cars or shopping online for
energy efficient appliances.
"In all these efforts,
our goal is to make the sustainable choice an easier choice," Google chief
executive Sundar Pichai said
while briefing journalists on the latest features.
Artificial
intelligence was put to work in Google's free Maps service in the United States to show people the most
fuel efficient routes to destinations even if they are not the quickest.
"It defaults to the route that uses less fuel
when the estimated time of arrival is similar," Pichai said.
"We believe the feature
will have the same impact in the next year as taking over 200,000 cars off the
road."
The feature is to be rolled out in Europe in 2022.
Google has also started work on a project to use AI to
optimize the efficiency of traffic in cities to reduce time vehicles spend
idling at intersections.
Carbon dioxide emission
information is being added to a Flights service for booking travel by air.
"We're putting these numbers in context by
labeling flights that have significantly higher emissions, and
adding a green badge to flights with significantly
lower emissions," Google said in a post.
The metrics will also show how much more CO2 is attributed
to business or first-class seats, which give passengers more room.
In coming months, Google will start adding details about how eco-friendly hotels are so
people can opt for lodging that is kinder to the planet.
Google moves include weaving environmental impact information
into its services for financial investing or shopping for appliances, and
providing more insights into
cost-benefits of electric vehicles.
"Individually, these choices might feel small but when you
multiply them together across our products, they equal big
transformations
for
the planet," Pichai said.
"It's going to take all of that to avert the worst
consequences of climate change and there's no time to waste."
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This initiative of Google was
first reported in April 2021 , in following news report :
Explained: How Google Maps plans to
nudge you towards the greenest
route to your
destination
That prompted
me to suggest to Sundar Pichai ( sundar@google.com
) to consider implementation of :
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