Human beings can barely move a muscle without some kind of deleterious effect on the environment around us.
Our diets, our transport and our creature comforts have been scrutinised amid ongoing climate change – all multiplied by the sheer number of creatures that make up humanity. And recently, it’s our online activity that’s been under review.
The emergence of AI has shone a light on just how thirsty for energy and water digital technologies are.
A report released at the beginning of 2026 estimated that global AI use – and specifically the data centres that power AI – emits as much CO2 in a year as New York City.
Another estimate suggests that for every 5–50 queries, ChatGPT uses half a litre (around a 10th of a gallon) of water to cool its servers.
