A new United Nations University report finds that global data centers used 448 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, more than all but 10 countries. That power use produced about 208 million tons of CO2, roughly equal to Argentina's emissions, and consumed 1.2 trillion gallons of water. By 2030, data center electricity demand is projected to nearly double to 935 terawatt-hours, making them the sixth-largest power user if ranked as a country. AI already drives about 20% of that energy use and is expected to reach 40% by 2030. The report is significant because it provides a comprehensive U.N.-backed look at the carbon, water, land, and lifecycle impacts of data centers, an industry often opaque about its environmental costs. While industry groups point to efficiency gains and societal benefits, the scale of growth raises real questions for grid planners, renewable energy developers, and climate policymakers. The findings underscore the tension between surging AI demand and the need to decarbonize electricity generation. For anyone tracking carbon markets or grid decarbonization, this report is a concrete data point on how fast data center load is growing and what it means for emissions. The water use numbers also matter for siting decisions in water-stressed regions. Worth reading the full AP story on PBS for the breakdown.
