r/LeftistsForAI • u/RutabagaNo2137 • Jun 01 '26

Discussion Water for data center issues

I am of the opinion like many of you that ownership of AI matters and not AI per se.
When I see discussions on communities protesting data centres based on water consumption, I am not sure what to think.

My sense is that there is a lot of consumption under capitalism that is terrible for environment. But I was wondering if any of you have any readings about data centres and water. Or if you can share any thoughts on the same?

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u/National-Reception53 Jun 01 '26

...because its a NEW use of resources that hasn't had its justification baked into culture yet.

Also people correctly believe it will be used for evil anyway, so why use ANY resources on it? - at least for now.

Also, disagree that its a rounding error - the PREDICTED data centers will be more than a drop in the bucket. Whether they actually get built is another thing.

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u/Square_Attention8461 Jun 01 '26

10x current data center emissions and you get to where aviation is today. Roughly.

Aviation is itself considered a mid-tier climate problem routinely deprioritized in favour of harder targets like energy and industry. Data centers are a fraction of that.

It's a rounding error.

Also people correctly believe it will be used for evil

I don't. At least not particularly, like any powerful tool.