On Tuesday, Google reported a 48% increase in its greenhouse gas emissions over the last five years, mainly due to the high electricity use of its data centers and supply chain.
“It won’t be easy,” Google admitted, highlighting the challenges posed by the unpredictable future of AI’s energy consumption. Cooling systems for data centers are a significant part of this water consumption. As data processors become more efficient, they also generate more heat, necessitating increased cooling resources.
Big tech companies have become major purchasers of renewable energy in an effort to meet their climate goals. Bill Gates recently highlighted thatcould aid in combating the climate crisis, as tech companies are “seriously willing” to pay extra for clean electricity to claim they’re using green energy.