Research suggest data centers will emit 2.5 billion tons of greenhouse gas by 2030

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/20289663

A report from Morgan Stanley suggests the datacenter industry is on track to emit 2.5 billion tons by 2030, which is three times higher than the predictions if generative AI had not come into play.

The extra demand from GenAI will reportedly lead to a rise in emissions from 200 million tons this year to 600 million tons by 2030, thanks largely to the construction of more data centers to keep up with the demand for cloud services.

  • zaphodEnglish
    462·
    3 days ago

    Between AI and shitcoin mining, these two “technology branches” already consume more power than all the green power added to the grid combined.

    And your sources? I only did a cursory search, and according to the IEA data centers are responsible for somewhere in the range of 2-6% of electricity demand. Renewables are currently around 30% globally.

    Source: https://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-2024

    • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.worldEnglish
      262·
      3 days ago

      I feel like some people are just emotional reactionaries. They see a certain story, and in their own mind they make the story worse than it is, and treat their feelings as fact.

      I have no sources on this, or proof that this guy in particular is doing that.

      …wait, am I doing it right now???

      Hmmmmm…

    • Kairos@lemmy.todayEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      Maybe they got confused about total power usage (maybe) being more than the green power added?