Data centers' resource needs: UN and Bank of America reports show carbon, water, and land trade-offs
axios.comTwo new reports from the UN University and Bank of America detail the environmental costs of the AI-driven data center boom. They warn that a narrow focus on carbon emissions misses water, land, and e-waste impacts. Data center power demand could nearly triple by 2030, equivalent to the sixth-largest power consuming country, and water use could match the domestic needs of Sub-Saharan Africa. The reports also highlight that most US water utilities have not accounted for AI's water needs, with 75% of use coming from off-site power generation and hardware manufacturing. While tech giants are investing in clean energy, much of the new demand is met by coal and gas, raising concerns about power bills and emissions. Some experts see the buildout as a chance to modernize the US grid.