Climate Cost of the Artificial Intelligence Boom

from EcoJustice Radio · host SoCal 350 Media

On this show we share a panel discussion put together by Pasadena California Climate Commons with leaders working at the intersection of technology, energy, and sustainability. Here they explore how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping demand for water and power across modern data centers and what is being done to address it. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url This is helpful to listen to industry people share their version of both sides of the equation: How AI and advanced computing can also support climate research and clean energy innovation Practical steps developers, companies, and policymakers can take to ensure technology supports a more sustainable future There is much more to be said than these folks we are sharing today. The problem we face is yes, Big Tech can do better, and we hear that in this show. Generating their own energy, closed loop water system, no diesel generators, noise abatement, distance from sensitive population and uses. So, listen with an open mind, because there is great need for everyone to make their voices heard in these struggles. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Water and Power Woes with AI Data Centers - EcoJustice Radio: https://jackeidt.substack.com/p/water-and-power-woes-how-artificial Miranda Kerrigan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirandagardiner/?utm_source=luma] is Executive Director at the iMasons Climate Accord, brings a global view on the rapid scale of data center expansion and the role of hyperscalers in driving renewable energy investment. Adrian Hightower [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianhightower/?utm_source=luma] is a sustainability professional at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, with expertise in water systems and regional resource management. Alec Miller [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecmiller1/?utm_source=luma] leads a software team that has developed a Sustainability calculator for data centers, and is part of an infrastructure fund that owns a data center developer. Greg Eisenberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryeisenberg/?utm_source=luma] is an experienced software engineering leader working in solar energy, bringing insights into the intersection of technology and renewable power systems. Anders Dunker [https://www.andersdunker.com/about.html] is a Norwegian writer, journalist, philosopher, and painter. His latest book of interviews about nature is called "Unknown Territory." He moderates the panel. We featured a 2024 panel he presided over regarding proposals to mine the deep seabed for rare earth minerals [https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/deep-sea-mining-and-the-green-transition-will-marine-ecosystems-survive/]. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate advocate, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 285 Photo credit: Jack Eidt

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