Article by Eric Worrell
First published by JoNova; yet more evidence that yesterday’s utopian corporate climate mission statements are now shredder junk.
Why are big companies quietly abandoning their climate commitments?
Gemma Green
Contributor
Updated at 03:09 pm ET on August 30, 2024Companies such as Google, Microsoft and Shell have positioned themselves as leaders in sustainability when it comes to climate and carbon reduction commitments, setting ambitious net-zero targets in line with global environmental efforts. However, the rapid rise of energy-intensive artificial intelligence is forcing these companies to reconsider or even abandon these commitments as they struggle to balance environmental responsibility and making money from new technologies.
Artificial Intelligence’s Energy Scarcity and Corporate Climate Hypocrisy
…
Training and operating large AI models requires vast amounts of computing power, which typically comes from data centers in areas where energy is cheaper rather than where renewable energy dominates. This rapid expansion poses a major threat to global clean energy transition efforts, prompting the International Energy Agency (IEA) to recommend that governments consider imposing carbon taxes to combat the environmental impact of artificial intelligence.
This situation is particularly important in the United States, where the number of data centers outnumbers the number of data centers in China by nearly 12 to 1. increase. U.S. utilities are scrambling to increase capacity to support energy transition goals and growing markets for artificial intelligence and manufacturing. Goldman Sachs research predicts that data center power demand will grow by 160% by 2030.
…
Learn more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemmagreen/2024/08/29/why-big-corporations-are-quietly-abandoning-their-climate-commitments/
Forbes goes on to claim that blockchain purchasing of random computing resources may increase efficiency, but this does not solve the problem of where all the additional energy should come from.
The former corporate green advocate appears to have taken a keen interest in nuclear energy.
certainly Solar and renewable energy still good enough for farmersonly special people need reliable energy to support their all-important profitable artificial intelligence projects.
Microsoft's solar initiative: lighting up the future of Singapore and India
Author:Jennifer L
August 30, 2024Microsoft is doubling down on its renewable energy commitments with groundbreaking deals in Singapore and India. The company signed a 20-year agreement with Singapore's largest SolarNova project and purchased large amounts of green energy from India's ReNew Energy Global.
Singapore SolarNova 8 shines brightly
Under the long-term contract, Microsoft will purchase 100% of the renewable energy exported to the grid by the project, which is managed by EDP Renewables (EDPR).
The SolarNova 8 project is considered to be the largest solar project under the SolarNova project in Singapore. It aims to install solar panels on more than 1,000 public housing blocks and more than 100 government-owned buildings. Together they will generate up to 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
…
Learn more: https://carboncredits.com/microsofts-solar-power-move-lighting-up-singapore-and-indias-future/
Maybe I'm being too harsh. Clearly, companies like Microsoft plan to put 100% of their efforts into renewable energy and another 100% into nuclear energy.
Relevant
