Saturday, 23 August, 2025
AI’s Hidden Climate Toll: Data Centers Devour Water and Energy at Alarming Rates
As AI becomes ubiquitous, its environmental toll is mounting behind the scenes. AI-powered data centers, often fossil fuel–dependent, consume enormous energy and up to 5 million gallons of fresh water daily for cooling—enough for a town of 50,000 people. A simple AI-enabled search uses 23× more energy than a standard Google query. Experts highlight the Jevons Paradox, where efficiency gains lead to increased usage, magnifying climate impacts.
Read full story at Economic Times