Data centres are the invisible engines of our digital world. Every Google search, Netflix stream, cloud-stored photo, or ChatGPT response passes through banks of high-powered computers housed in giant facilities scattered across the globe.

These data centres consume a staggering amount of electricity and increasingly, a surprising amount of water. Unlike the water you use at home, much of the water used in datacentres never returns to the water reuse cycle. This silent drain is drawing concern from environmental scientists. One pre-print study (not yet reviewed by other scientists) from 2023 predicted that by 2027, global AI use could consume more water in a year than half of that used by the UK in the same time.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

You have reached your article limit.

Take us with you this summer

Annual €130 €65

Best value

Monthly €12€6 / month

Subscribe

Introductory offer. Annual billed once for first year. Monthly (discount first 3 months) billed monthly, then €12 / month. Ts&Cs apply.