A United Nations University report reveals that global data centers consume massive amounts of electricity and water, with carbon emissions comparable to entire countries. The surge in artificial intelligence is a primary driver, with AI energy use expected to reach 40% of total data center consumption by 2030. The findings highlight a growing tension between digital expansion and climate goals. While industry leaders point to efficiency gains, the report warns that these improvements are often offset by the sheer scale of new deployments and a lack of corporate transparency regarding actual energy sourcing.
