Global digital transformation, accelerated by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), brings significant environmental challenges. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), developing countries bear a disproportionate share of these impacts. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, warns of the risks of unregulated digital development.
Data centers, necessary for digital technologies to operate, consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. Furthermore, the extraction of raw materials for digital devices depletes natural resources, accentuating environmental challenges.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Technology giants, such as Google and Microsoft, although committed to carbon neutrality policies, are seeing their greenhouse gas emissions increase. Google recently reported a 48% increase in emissions compared to 2020, while Microsoft noted a 29% increase.
The rise of generative AI is pushing these companies to invest heavily, with a planned $1 trillion commitment to infrastructure and data centers over the next few years. Despite these investments, concrete results in terms of sustainability remain limited.
Energy Consumption and Mineral Resources
Data center electricity consumption reached 460 terawatt hours in 2022 and could double by 2026. In Ireland, this consumption has quadrupled since 2015, representing 18% of national electricity in 2022, with a projection of 28%. here 2031.
The extraction of minerals needed to make electronic components, such as lithium and cobalt, is expected to increase by 500% by 2050. Manufacturing a single computer requires around 800 kg of raw materials, illustrating the enormous demand for resources.
Cryptocurrency Challenges
The energy required for mining Bitcoin, the most widespread cryptocurrency, increased by 34% between 2015 and 2023. Annual consumption of 121 terawatt hours exceeds that of countries like Belgium or Finland, representing a significant energy burden.
Shamika Sirimanne from UNCTAD highlights the need to start a discussion on the responsible use of AI before it is too late. Digitization, although a driver of economic growth, must be sustainable and inclusive.
The current situation calls for robust policies to ensure sustainable and equitable digital growth, thereby minimizing environmental impacts while promoting innovation and technological development.
This article is originally published on energynews.pro
