Articles tagged with "environmental-impact"
How Much Energy Does AI Use? The People Who Know Aren’t Saying
The article discusses the opaque nature of energy consumption data related to AI, particularly large language models like ChatGPT. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed that an average ChatGPT query uses about 0.34 watt-hours of energy, roughly equivalent to a high-efficiency lightbulb running for a couple of minutes. However, experts criticize this figure for lacking transparency and context, such as whether it includes energy used for training models, server cooling, or image generation. OpenAI has not provided detailed disclosures explaining how this number was calculated, leading to skepticism among researchers like Sasha Luccioni from Hugging Face, who emphasizes the need for more comprehensive environmental transparency in AI. The article highlights a broader issue: most AI models in use today do not disclose their environmental impact, with 84% of large language model traffic in May 2025 coming from models with zero environmental disclosure. This lack of transparency hampers efforts to accurately assess AI’s carbon footprint, especially as AI usage grows rapidly. Misleading
energyartificial-intelligenceAI-energy-consumptioncarbon-emissionsenvironmental-impactenergy-transparencyclimate-changeSharks & Rays Found Using Offshore Wind Farms As Habitat - CleanTechnica
A recent study by Wageningen University & Research reveals that offshore wind farms in the Netherlands serve not only as energy producers but also as important habitats for marine life, particularly sharks and rays (elasmobranchs). Using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling—a non-invasive method detecting species presence through DNA traces in seawater—researchers confirmed the active presence of five elasmobranch species across four wind farms: Borssele, Hollandse Kust Zuid, Luchterduinen, and Gemini. The thornback ray was the most frequently detected, present year-round in several sites, while the detection of migratory basking sharks during winter provided new insights into their seasonal movements. The study highlights that offshore wind farms may act as safe havens for vulnerable species by prohibiting seabed-disturbing activities like trawling, allowing benthic ecosystems to recover and offering more stable habitats. Researchers caution against permitting bottom trawling within these zones to preserve their protective benefits. The findings support
energyoffshore-wind-farmsmarine-habitatenvironmental-impacteDNA-monitoringrenewable-energymarine-conservationTexas Approves Use Of Fracking Wastewater To Irrigate Crops - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the controversial approval by Texas to use treated fracking wastewater for irrigating crops, raising significant health and environmental concerns. Fracking involves injecting water mixed with various toxic chemicals—many of which are trade secrets—into underground rock formations to extract oil and methane. This wastewater contains harmful substances, including undisclosed organic surfactants, which are chemicals that help mix oil and water but may pose risks to human health. The secrecy around the exact chemical composition prevents communities and regulators from fully understanding the potential dangers, as exemplified by a Chevron well blowout in Colorado that exposed nearby schoolchildren to unknown contaminants. Proponents in Texas argue that recycling fracking wastewater could alleviate the state's fresh water scarcity and encourage the oil and gas industry to manage their waste more responsibly. However, critics highlight the risks of introducing toxic substances into agricultural irrigation, potentially contaminating crops and the food supply. The article also references a public stunt by a fracking company executive who drank fracking water to claim its safety,
energyfrackingwastewaterirrigationpetroleumsurfactantsenvironmental-impactWorld Environment Day Calls On You To #BeatPlasticPollution - CleanTechnica
The article highlights the urgent call by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for global action to #BeatPlasticPollution, the theme of World Environment Day 2025. It emphasizes the critical importance of addressing the full lifecycle of plastics—from production to disposal—rather than relying solely on recycling. With over 460 million tons of plastic produced annually, plastics and microplastics have become pervasive pollutants, infiltrating terrestrial and marine ecosystems, soils, the atmosphere, and even human bodies, including lungs, blood, and fetuses. This widespread contamination poses serious threats to human health, planetary ecosystems, and economic stability. The article also notes that plastics contribute significantly to carbon emissions and are filling oceans, harming marine life and coastal communities. South Korea, the 2025 World Environment Day host, is identified as the fourth largest producer of plastic polymers globally, underscoring the challenge of plastic pollution even among environmentally engaged nations. The article draws attention to the prevalence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, which constitute about 50% of microplastics in wastewater and 12% of global solid waste, highlighting ongoing research into biodegradation methods. Looking ahead, plastic production is projected to triple by 2060 unless decisive global measures are taken. A key upcoming event is the August 2025 vote in Geneva on a global plastics treaty aimed at banning certain plastics, though progress faces resistance from petrochemical-producing countries. Advocates stress the need to “turn off the plastics tap” and implement systemic changes to reduce plastic pollution worldwide.
materialsplastic-pollutionmicroplasticscircular-economysustainable-materialsenvironmental-impactpolymer-productionInsurance Companies Cancelling Home Owner Insurance Are Supporting LNG Terminals - CleanTechnica
The article highlights a stark contradiction in the behavior of major insurance companies in the United States. While these insurers are increasingly canceling homeowner insurance policies in many areas due to climate-related risks, they continue to provide coverage for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, particularly in regions like the Gulf Coast from Port Arthur, Texas, to Lake Charles, Louisiana. These areas, predominantly inhabited by Black, Brown, and low-income communities, have become "sacrifice zones"—highly polluted and environmentally degraded regions where marginalized populations disproportionately suffer health and environmental harms. The insurance companies, motivated by substantial profits from LNG projects, are criticized for ignoring the ethical implications of supporting fossil fuel infrastructure that exacerbates climate change and environmental racism. The article draws on data from the Rainforest Action Network, which identifies insurers such as Chubb, AIG, Allianz, Liberty Mutual, Munich Re, Swiss Re, Zurich, Tokio Marine, and The Hartford as key backers of LNG projects like Cameron LNG. Additionally, major financial institutions including JPMorgan, Citi, BlackRock, and Vanguard have funded these fossil fuel expansions. Community organizers and activists, such as Roishetta Ozane from Lake Charles, emphasize the direct health impacts on local residents and link these to broader climate crises driven by fossil fuel emissions. They argue that while insurance companies refuse to cover vulnerable homeowners facing climate threats, they paradoxically insure and finance projects that perpetuate environmental injustice. The activists call for public pressure on insurers and financiers to address this hypocrisy and reconsider their role in supporting environmentally and socially harmful industries.
energyLNG-terminalsfossil-fuelsenvironmental-impactinsurance-industryclimate-riskpollutionUber Just Reinvented the Bus … Again
Uber has launched Route Share, a new shuttle service operating on fixed routes and schedules in seven cities, aiming to provide more affordable and predictable transportation during peak commuting hours. This initiative marks Uber’s latest attempt to "reinvent the bus," following earlier efforts by Uber, Lyft, Elon Musk, and others to introduce ride-sharing services resembling traditional public transit. Uber’s leadership acknowledges the concept is inspired by buses, with the goals of reducing consumer prices, easing congestion, and improving environmental outcomes. However, experts express skepticism about the program’s benefits for commuters, climate, and public transit systems. The Union of Concerned Scientists highlights that rideshare services currently produce significantly more emissions than the trips they replace, partly due to "deadheading"—drivers traveling without passengers. While pooled rides reduce this impact somewhat, the environmental advantage remains limited unless electric vehicles are used. Moreover, there are concerns about Uber’s lack of public accountability compared to traditional transit agencies, which serve all riders regardless of profitability and are subject to public oversight. This shift toward privatized transit services could undermine struggling public systems, especially in cities like Philadelphia and Dallas facing severe budget crises and service cuts. The broader context includes federal funding reductions for public transit, leaving many systems financially vulnerable post-pandemic. With a nationwide transit budget shortfall estimated at $6 billion, companies like Uber see an opportunity to fill gaps in public transportation. Despite Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi’s insistence that the company competes with personal car use rather than public transit, critics worry that such private shuttle services may exacerbate challenges for public transit and fail to deliver meaningful environmental improvements.
energytransportationride-sharingelectric-vehiclesurban-mobilityenvironmental-impactpublic-transitAnother Electric Vehicle Benefit: No Motor Oil Leaks - CleanTechnica
energyelectric-vehiclespollutionmotor-oilenvironmental-impacttransmission-fluidclean-technologyLow-grade clay turned into powerful cement for green construction
materialscementsustainable-constructionenvironmental-impactclayconcreteengineeringHidden Super-Emitters: The Climate Imperative Of Addressing Abandoned Fossil Fuel Infrastructure - CleanTechnica
energyclimate-changemethane-emissionsfossil-fuelsenvironmental-impactemissions-reductionregulatory-frameworksWoman Sues Oil Companies For Causing Her Mother's Death - CleanTechnica
energyclimate-changefossil-fuelsoil-companieslawsuitenvironmental-impactheat-domeAlt Carbon scores $12M seed to scale carbon removal in India
energycarbon-removalclimate-techsustainable-agricultureenhanced-rock-weatheringenvironmental-impactIndiaTrump administration may sell deep-sea mining leases at startup’s urging
robotdeep-sea-miningautonomous-vehiclescritical-mineralsenvironmental-impactunderwater-technologyresource-extractionSiêu máy tính 200.000 GPU của Elon Musk
energyGPUsupercomputerAITeslapower-consumptionenvironmental-impactTony Blair’s New Climate Reset Report Promotes Delay, Not Action
energyclimate-changefossil-fuelsclimate-policytechnology-solutionssustainabilityenvironmental-impactU.S. Imports of Major Transportation Fuels Decreased in 2024
U.S.-importstransportation-fuelsclean-energypetroleummarket-trendsenvironmental-impact2024-statisticsEuropean State of the Climate: Striking East-West Contrast & Widespread Flooding in Europe’s Warmest Year
climate-changeEuropefloodingweather-patternsenvironmental-impactEast-West-contrastglobal-warming