Most new technology comes with a negative environmental impact. But is it the same with the metaverse? Is the metaverse sustainable and environment friendly?
Yes,Sustainable metaverse is a reality. The metaverse could be more sustainable and environment friendly than any other technology out there. This blog post will prove it so.
In this blog post, we will outline the concept of sustainable metaverse. We will also outline the sustainability issues of the metaverse with respect to digital twin, virtual items and virtual travel. Moreover, we will bring out the psychological barriers and social sustainability of a sustainable metaverse.
SUSTAINABLE METAVERSE
The issue of sustainability and environment is on top priority when a new technology emerges. So, it’s the same case with the metaverse.
“The metaverse could be more sustainable and environment friendly than any other technology out there.”
The quote is rightly said. When the metaverse really arrives, it could reduce CO₂ emission, reduce water consumption, reduce carbon footprint, and many more. Moreover, metaverse can help improve social sustainability.
Most of the metaverse in near future would be sustainable and environment friendly. So, any metaverse would be called as sustainable metaverse.
DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE METAVERSE
Any metaverse or metaverse platform which is energy efficient, eco-friendly, uses technology which are energy efficient and psychological and socially sustainable is known as sustainable metaverse.
DIGITAL TWIN AND SUSTAINABLE METAVERSE
Digital Twin is the virtual carbon copy of any physical objects or physical world. To get a overall knowledge of digital twins, you can read this metaversetroop.com blog post.
Digital Twin uses technologies like
- AI
- IoT
- Augmented Technology like Virtual Reality(VR), Augmented Technology (AR).
Using satellite generated data, digital twins can transform physical world entities into virtual worlds. This adds to sustainability with respect to
- Individual
- Manufacturing Assets
- Supply Chains
SUSTAINABILITY OF DIGITAL TWIN
There are many instances of how digital twins are already adding to sustainability. Some of the examples are listed below.
- European Space Agency’s (ESA) Digital twin
- Supply Chain Digital Twin
- CityZenith
- Digital Twin in Building Operation
- Other Sectors
SUSTAINABILITY OF VIRTUAL RESOURCES IN METAVERSE
Metaverse is sustainable and eco-friendly due to the fact that its is a virtual world. Everything in the metaverse is virtual. It uses virtual and digital alternatives to real world experiences and physical goods.
These virtual resources and digital goods are carbon-efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable with regards to its counterparts. When the metaverse will be largely adopted, you will see its impact.
In the next section, we will see an example of the fashion industry as compared to its digital counterpart in the metaverse.
METAVERSE FASHION SUSTAINABILITY
If you take the example of denim trade globally, the following statistics will shock you.
- 4.7 million meter cube of water is consumed
- 16 metric tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent is emitted
If the consumer opts for digital denim for its avatars instead of buying physical one, it can save a sustainable amount of water and reduce carbon emission.
This single act can reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by 10%. A single virtual resource in the metaverse has the potential to impact the resources and carbon efficiency in a significant way.
VIRTUAL TRAVEL IN METAVERSE AND ITS SUSTAINABILITY
Global air travel contributes to 2.5% of global carbon emissions. Other modes of transport have had a negative impact on our environment.
But, consider the metaverse. Here everything happens virtually so do traveling in the metaverse.
There are many instances in our lives where you need to travel. Some of them are listed below.
- Shows and Concert
- Tourism
- Work
- Education
All the things listed above, happen virtually in the metaverse. You don’t need to travel to go to a virtual concert, work by sitting in your home, visit a virtual classroom at the comfort of your home.
Some of you might say, physical collaboration and personal presence is important and a need for human beings. We are not discarding this option. But many of you would opt for virtual travel in the metaverse for most of the occasion.
| Physical World | In the metaverse |
| Shows & Concert | Virtual Concert |
| Tourism | Virtual Tourism |
| Work | Virtual Office |
| Education | Virtual Classroom |
CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE METAVERSE
- Climate Change
- Digital Divide
- Security and Privacy
CLIMATE CHANGE
Now you know, metaverse has the potential to reduce carbon emission sustainably through virtual resources and virtual interaction. But, the metaverse can impact the environment if not used properly.
Every metaverse would require powerful data centers which would need energy to run it and thus emitting carbon.
Most of the metaverse is based on cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrencies based on Proof of Work (PoW) are harmful to the environment. But, a shift of cryptocurrencies to the consensus mechanism like Proof of Stake(PoW) like the Ethereum is a great step towards sustainability.
Most of the mechanism associated in the metaverse is performed through NFT and blockchain. These technologies are energy intensive.
AI can be used to optimize and reduce efficiency gains. Proof-of-stake(PoS) transaction cane even lower the energy consumption.
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Digital divide is a great problem for sustainability of the metaverse. Digital divide is created when certain sections of society or certain regions have access to technologies other than other sections of society or regions of the world.
You can take examples of Virtual Reality(VR) devices. 90% of VR set sales are from Western Europe and North America. VR devices are one of the important devices for an immersive metaverse.
For any metaverse to be sustainable, we need to minimize the digital divide. The technologies associated with metaverse and its related technologies should be available across the globe.
SECURITY AND PRIVACY
The metaverse collects a huge amount of data than any other technologies out there. As already discussed, in this blog post of metavesetroop.com, metaverse collects the following information
- User Physiological data
- User Physical data
- Biometric data of the user
- Social data of the user.
- 3D Data.
Most of the data are related to privacy and security concerns. There are also many new energy problems everyday. All these problems need to be mitigated along with the concept of sustainable metaverse.
You can read these two blog posts, to get a good idea of the privacy and security related to the metaverse.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can metaverse help climate change?
Yes, metaverse can help climate change. Sustainable metaverse is a reality. The metaverse could be more sustainable and environment friendly than any other technology out there.
You can read this blog post, for more information.
Will the metaverse affect the environment?
Metaverse will have less impact on the environment. You can read this blog post, for more information.
Will the metaverse reduce pollution?
Metaverse will reduce pollution. You can read this blog post, for more information.
Is the metaverse sustainable?
Yes, the metaverse is sustainable. Sustainable metaverse is a reality. The metaverse could be more sustainable and environment friendly than any other technology out there.
You can read this blog post, for more information
CONCLUSION
Now you have seen that metaverse can be more sustainable and energy efficient than any other technology out there. It can help to improve the overall sustainability. This can be a motivation for the user to opt for a digital alternative.
Digital Twin in the metaverse is already proving to be more sustainable and environment friendly. If used in the right way, a sustainable metaverse is inevitable.
