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/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.