Digital tech’s energy and water use could have vast environmental impact, research argues
Digital solutions to climate change - such as the metaverse - could have serious repercussions for the environment, according to new research from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Digital sustainability has often been lauded as the answer to mitigating the effects of climate change, producing some virtually rather than physically and therefore using less resource.
But researchers say that the energy needed from existing infrastructure to power digital solutions such as the metaverse will have an impact on the environment.
For example, it has been reported that a 100-word email created by ChatGPT AI uses enough energy to charge seven mobile phones.
The metaverse is loosely defined term for a virtual world in which users, represented by avatars, can move around and interact with each other.
Global companies have started buying electronic real estate in the metaverse so they can set up online shops where an avatar can see products on the shelf and try them on. Others have bought huge plots of virtual land.
Virtual reality may seem like a convenient way to head towards a carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly world, by reducing travel thought virtual events and reducing the need for physical resources.
However, the new research, published in Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics, has argued that this may not be the case.
Dr Ash Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “The data processing needs of the metaverse are going to be absolutely huge and the IT infrastructure to facilitate this type of technology is going to be massive.
“The data centres around the world are going to need upgrading. They’re going to need access to vast amounts of water for cooling purposes because the greater the processing, the greater the heat.
“That’s going to have an impact on the environment in terms of use of water, but also in terms of building new data centres because they’re going to have to find space and areas in which to create these more efficient data centres.”
Widespread use of metaverse may appear to be in the future, but there have already been warnings about the impact that online services could have on the environment due to the increase of AI products.
Big Tech corporations have rapidly increased their water consumption needed to cool their data centres in order meet the increasing demand for AI products.
Although companies have promised to meet climate targets, it has not been illustrated how this will be possible in the face of the global freshwater shortage.
Murphy said: “The metaverse is being presented as a way in which to promote the natural environment. But the suggested energy and efficiency benefits are not enough to make up for the use of resources.
“Corporations are not carbon neutral and they are not protecting the planet by moving in the direction of the metaverse and online alternatives because they are stripping the energy grid without putting anything back.”
Murphy argues that the introduction and agreement of an international technology charter could help guide the metaverse as it grows and develops to limit its environmental impact.
The research is the latest in Manchester Met’s commitment to drive sustainability and tackle global challenges. The University is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and is currently highlighting how it drives sustainability in Manchester and around the world.
