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Rising Carbon Emissions from Amazon, Google, and Facebook

"How cloud computing—and especially AI—threaten to make climate change worse" by Andrew Leonard, Sierra Club, Sep 2024. Climate impact.
Illustration shows a giant robot hand holding up the sun, surrounded by tall computer mainframes and workers

IN MARCH The Information reported that Microsoft was negotiating with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to spend $100 billion on a massive data center in Wisconsin. Code-named “Stargate,” this center would consume five gigawatts of electricity at full capacity, enough to power 3.7 million homes. This is comparable to the output of Plant Vogtle, a nuclear power station in Georgia that cost $30 billion to build.

Stargate is still in the planning stages, but the scale of the proposal highlights a significant issue: AI is an energy hog. For decades, American electricity consumption has hardly grown, partly due to advances in energy efficiency. In 2023, total electricity consumption fell slightly from 2022 levels.

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However, a report from Grid Strategies published in December predicts that US energy demand will rise by up to 5 percent over the next five years, partly due to new data centers for AI. To meet this demand, utilities propose building new fossil fuel power plants and dismantling climate legislation.

Environmentalists see this as a step backward. AI, initially seen as a problem-solver, now risks worsening global warming.

Since the internet became an essential part of daily life, computing’s energy demands have surged. Every digital activity is processed in data centers filled with computer hardware. These centers are the physical manifestation of the cloud.

For the past 20 years, data centers have increasingly handled computation. Corporations and governments rent computing services from Big Tech for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, as anthropologist Steven Gonzalez Monserrate notes in The Cloud Is Material: On the Environmental Impacts of Computation and Data Storage, “heat is the waste product of computation.” Data centers consume significant energy to keep computer chips cool, and the new generation of AI software is particularly energy-intensive.

Michelle Solomon, an analyst at Energy Innovation, calls the AI power crunch “a litmus test” for a society threatened by climate change. “Are we going to grow the right way?” Solomon asks. “Or will we keep coal plants online and build new gas plants?”

JUST THREE COMPANIES—Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet—host two-thirds of the cloud. Known as “hyperscalers,” their data centers consume enormous amounts of power and water. Despite their environmental claims, the negative consequences of AI energy consumption are often unacknowledged.

The hyperscalers have committed to a net-zero future, using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol to track emissions and investing billions in renewable energy. According to S&P Global, they have driven significant renewable energy growth, contracting for about 45 gigawatts globally.

Historically, the data center industry has grown without straining energy resources. A 2020 study found that from 2010 to 2018, data storage increased 26-fold, servers grew by 30 percent, but energy consumption rose only 6 percent. However, Andrew Chien of the University of Chicago argues that the exponential growth of hyperscale data centers, fueled by AI, presents a severe problem.

Big Tech’s electricity consumption has surged. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of data centers globally jumped from around 8,000 to 10,655. A spokesperson for Amazon told The Wall Street Journal that a new data center is being built somewhere in the world every three days.

The cost of training AI software is doubling every few months, making AI extremely expensive. John Hennessy, chairman of Alphabet, told Reuters that it was 10 times more expensive to ask Google AI a question than to use a traditional keyword search.

TODAY, AI-PROPELLED data center growth is booming, especially in Northern Virginia’s Data Center Alley, where energy demand is growing at 20 percent a year. Dominion Energy has asked for permission to build additional gas-fired power plants and supported a proposal to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Other regions are seeing similar appeals for extended fossil fuel use. In Ohio, AEP’s CEO announced plans to sue the EPA over new coal plant regulations. Meanwhile, Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore signed legislation exempting backup diesel generators from environmental review.

Despite the negative environmental externalities, Big Tech continues to expand. “If AI raises their revenue high enough,” says computer scientist Roy Schwartz, “they will gladly pay the energy bill.”

The lack of regulation is concerning. In Virginia, 17 bills aiming to regulate the industry were defeated. Senator Ed Markey’s Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2024 is stalled in committee. Gonzalez Monserrate emphasizes that the cloud is material and has a cost, highlighting the need for regulation.

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Original Story at www.sierraclub.org

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COP29 Ends Amidst Criticism Over Loopholes and Disunity


The United Nations’ 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) concluded with widespread criticism over perceived loopholes and a lack of unity among participating nations. Environmental experts and activists expressed concerns that the agreements reached may be insufficient to address the escalating climate crisis.



Despite initial optimism, the conference, held in Bonn, Germany, was marked by intense debates and disagreements. Key issues included carbon emission reduction targets and financial commitments to developing countries. Many attendees felt these discussions fell short of meaningful progress. Learn more about the UN’s climate change efforts here.



A significant point of contention was the establishment of clear guidelines for monitoring and reporting emissions. Critics argue that the absence of stringent measures allows countries to exploit loopholes, undermining global efforts to curb climate change. The lack of consensus on this issue highlights the challenges in achieving cohesive international action.



Some developing nations voiced frustration over inadequate financial support from wealthier countries, which they argue is essential for implementing sustainable practices and mitigating climate impacts. This financial gap remains a major obstacle, fueling discontent and hampering collaborative efforts. Explore the Green Climate Fund’s role in supporting climate action.



Meanwhile, environmental groups emphasized the need for immediate and robust action, warning that delays could have catastrophic implications. They called for greater transparency and accountability in future agreements, urging nations to prioritize the planet’s health over economic interests.



As COP29 ends, the international community faces the challenge of bridging divides and enhancing cooperation to effectively combat climate change. Stakeholders are now looking ahead to future conferences, hoping for more decisive action and unity.

November 22, 2024

Mississippi River Faces Persistent Saltwater Intrusion, Region Seeks Long-Term Solutions



For the third consecutive year, the Mississippi River is experiencing significant saltwater intrusion, prompting local communities and environmental experts to search for sustainable solutions. This recurring issue arises as the river’s flow decreases, allowing saltwater to move upstream and threaten drinking water supplies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively involved in addressing this problem, employing temporary measures like saltwater barriers to mitigate the impact on affected areas.



Saltwater infiltration poses serious risks to public health and agriculture, as freshwater sources become compromised. The situation is exacerbated by prolonged periods of drought, which have reduced freshwater flow in the Mississippi River. According to the National Weather Service, drought conditions have worsened due to climate change, increasing the frequency and severity of saltwater intrusion events.



Local authorities are collaborating with federal agencies to explore permanent solutions. Among the proposed strategies are enhanced levee systems and improved water management techniques. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is evaluating the feasibility of long-term infrastructure projects to prevent further saltwater encroachment. Additionally, community leaders are advocating for increased funding to support these initiatives and safeguard the region’s water resources.



The impact of saltwater intrusion extends beyond drinking water concerns, affecting local ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Farmers in the region have reported crop damage due to elevated salinity levels in irrigation water. The Natural Resources Conservation Service is working with farmers to implement adaptive practices, such as planting salt-tolerant crops and improving soil management techniques.



As the Mississippi River continues to face challenges from saltwater intrusion, stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. The ongoing threat underscores the need for comprehensive planning and investment to protect one of America’s most vital waterways from the impacts of climate change and environmental stressors.

November 19, 2024



Environmental activists have raised concerns over the fossil fuel sector’s significant impact on COP29, the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference. Activists argue that the industry’s presence diverts focus from critical climate actions.



The conference, designed to promote global climate agreements, faces criticism for allowing fossil fuel companies to participate extensively. Environmental groups claim these companies undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.



According to Climate Action Network, fossil fuel representatives have increased their lobbying activities, aiming to weaken climate policies. These industries allegedly influence negotiations, leading to watered-down commitments that fail to address the urgency of climate change effectively.



Experts suggest that the influence of these companies stems from financial contributions and longstanding relationships with decision-makers. Critics argue that this affects the conference’s ability to enforce meaningful climate change regulations.



During the event, several protests highlighted the need for transparency and a stronger focus on sustainable energy solutions. Activists are calling for increased participation of renewable energy stakeholders in future conferences.



The controversy surrounding fossil fuel involvement at COP29 underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial interests with the global imperative to combat climate change.



November 19, 2024