UN Report: The Hidden Environmental Costs of AI Energy and Water Use
maritime-executive.comA new United Nations report reveals that the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence extends far beyond carbon emissions. The study highlights massive increases in electricity demand, water consumption for cooling, and land use for energy infrastructure, warning that 'low-carbon' energy sources often trade off with higher water and land requirements. The report projects that AI-related electricity consumption could reach 945 TWh by 2030, potentially accounting for 3% of global power use. It also warns of a growing e-waste crisis and a structural imbalance where the Global South bears the brunt of mineral extraction and pollution while the benefits of AI remain concentrated in a few nations.