Scientists have found an alarming environmental impact of data centers

21 points

1/21/1970

a day ago

by campuscodi

Comments

chmod775

This simultanously reads like they are surprised that thermodynamics are real while also not understanding them.

Pretty much all electricity will end up as heat somewhere down the line. How localized that heating is initially does not matter much.

Also all the energy consumption of data centers in the world (~500TW/h) is not enough to heat the planet a billionth' of a degree annually. It simply does not register.

Global warming is not driven by the energy we convert into heat, that's miniscule. It's driven by changes in Earth’s atmosphere (and surface) that limit how effectively the planet can reflect incoming sunlight and release heat into space.

a day ago

saulpw

What is "500TW/h"? If you mean 500TWh, is that 500TWh/year?

21 hours ago

chmod775

If you think some more about it you'll figure it out from context.

I'll give you a hint though: It's a typo and the same sentence contains the word "annually".

At least now you know I don't use AI for my insufferable comments. Good luck!

8 hours ago

saulpw

Sorry, not getting it. Maybe you should start using AI to proofread your insufferable comments!

7 hours ago

e40

Let’s not forget Benn Jordan’s work identifying sonic pollution that is making people sick.

https://youtu.be/_bP80DEAbuo?si=d8ZZCMVa9txyopRs

18 hours ago

quantified

A data center that consumes 5GW produces 5GW of heat, yes? Or 4.8 GW of heat and 0.2 GW of noise. Roughly?

a day ago

TGower

Even the noise turns into heat

a day ago

quantified

Absolutely, just annoys the neighbors along the way.

11 hours ago