WHAT'S THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO FOR THE PLANET ONLINE?

Human beings can barely move a muscle without some kind of deleterious effect on the environment around us.

- ADALINE CLIFFE, LISBURN

Our diets, our transport and our creature comforts have been scrutinised amid ongoing climate change – all multiplied by the sheer number of creatures that make up humanity. And recently, it’s our online activity that’s been under review.

The emergence of AI has shone a light on just how thirsty for energy and water digital technologies are. A report released at the beginning of 2026 estimated that global AI use – and specifically the data centres that power AI – emits as much CO₂ in a year as New York City.

Another estimate suggests that for every 5–50 queries, ChatGPT uses half a litre (around a 10th of a gallon) of water to cool its servers. Advisors to the UK government in the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance have even warned that AI data centres could threaten global and national water security.