Is AI Killing the planet?

Is AI Killing the planet?

Author: Hugo Rauch August 21, 2025 Duration: 48:32
New Wave.
BusinessScience

Artificial Intelligence is seen as a critical tool for solving climate change. We talk about optimizing grids, accelerating material discovery, and predicting extreme weather.

But can AI really help us solve the climate crisis faster than it contributes to it?

Today I’m joined by three sharp thinkers in the world of climate:

- Hampus Jakobsson: founding partner at Pale Blue Dot and a bullish believer in AI for climate

- Pippa Gawley: founding partner at Zero Carbon Capital and a cautious observer of the AI hype

- Matteo Turchetta: co-founder and CTO at KoraLabs and PhD in AI for sustainable agriculture from ETH Zürich

Together, we answer the question: Is AI a good thing for the climate?

***

We talk about:

Why adding “AI” to your pitch won’t save a climate startup

How smaller, smarter models could reduce emissions

Whether climate data is good enough to train real solutions

When AI crosses the line from helpful to harmful

How small AI wins might unlock massive physical world impact

When regulation makes sense, and when it stifles innovation

… and more!

***

Where to find Hampus, Pippa & Matteo:

Hampus | Pale Blue Dot | The Drop

Pippa | Zero Carbon Capital

Matteo | KoraLabs

***

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:30) AI Solution Categories

(03:57) Investor Skepticism

(06:54) Practical Use Cases

(12:30) Data Quality Matters

(17:17) Environmental Impact of AI

(23:05) Solving Real Problems

(33:57) Accelerating Dirty Industries

(40:05) Responsible Use of AI

(46:06) Key Takeaways

***

Other episodes you might like:

- How Climate Startups Get Their FIRST Investor

***

Sign up for my free newsletter:

- VCo2 | The Climate Investing Podcast | Hugo Rauch | Substack



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
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