Urgent Alert: How AI is Intensifying Climate Change – Insights from Fremantle Shipping News

Have you ever read *The Little Prince* by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? It’s a beautiful story that explores the world through the eyes of a child. One of its main points is how adults often miss what’s truly important, focusing instead on superficial things. For example, when a child shows adults a drawing of a boa constrictor that swallowed an elephant, they only see a simple hat. This theme resonates today as we face urgent global issues.

In today’s world, we have serious matters at hand, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on our environment. AI is not just about cool tech—it’s also about energy usage and emissions. For instance, a recent study from *The Washington Post* and the University of California found that generating a simple 100-word email with ChatGPT requires 0.14 kilowatt-hours (KWH) of energy, equivalent to running 14 LED light bulbs for an hour. Over a year, this could add up to substantial electricity consumption.

Moreover, AI doesn’t only consume energy; it also requires a large amount of water for cooling the servers. That same study reports that generating that same 100-word email uses about 519 milliliters of water. When scaled up, this water usage becomes a critical concern, especially considering the water scarcity many regions face.

As we embrace AI, we need to recognize its connection to climate change. Data centers, which house AI servers, are expected to double their electricity consumption by 2030, according to a recent International Energy Agency (IEA) report. This spike is largely driven by AI technologies. In fact, while the emissions from data centers today may seem small compared to overall emissions, the rapid increase is alarming.

Many users engaged with AI-driven platforms, such as ChatGPT, may not realize the environmental costs of their interactions. For every image generated or task completed by AI, energy consumption and associated emissions grow. As more people join the trend, the impact amplifies.

Let’s take a moment to consider user reactions. On social media, many have celebrated the creative outputs from AI, like creating images in nostalgic styles reminiscent of Studio Ghibli or customizing action figures. These shareable moments have been entertaining and engaging for users, but they often overshadow the underlying environmental implications.

It’s essential to ask ourselves: Are we willing to ignore these environmental costs for the sake of convenience and engagement? History has shown us the consequences of technology outpacing our moral and ethical understanding, such as the rise of social media which, while connecting us, has also contributed to a sense of loneliness and disconnection in our society.

Looking ahead, we need to steer the conversation around AI toward accountability and sustainability. The idea of “Assistive Intelligence,” as suggested by Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s first Minister of Digital Affairs, is where technology helps humans make better decisions rather than overshadowing them. This approach aligns with the core values expressed in *The Little Prince*: seeing beyond the surface. Understanding what truly matters—our planet and its future—should be our primary focus.

For those interested in delving deeper into this conversation about AI’s role in our lives and its environmental impacts, you can find more insights in reports and articles from trusted sources like the [International Energy Agency](https://www.iea.org/), *The Washington Post*, and various environmental organizations. Let’s work together to ensure that as we advance in technology, we do so with a mindset that honors our environment and society.

*By Madeleine Cox.*



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