New reports give sobering numbers on data centers’ resource needs Two new analyses highlight the significant environmental consequences of the AI boom, particularly the resource demands of data centers. A UN report warns against focusing solely on carbon emissions, detailing potential triple power demand and massive water, land, and e-waste footprints by 2030. A Bank of America report indicates US water utilities are unprepared for this growth, with most water usage stemming from off-site needs like power generation and hardware manufacturing.

• New analyses focus on the environmental impacts of AI data centers, extending beyond just carbon emissions.
• Data center power demand could nearly triple by 2030, equivalent to the sixth-largest power-consuming country.
• The associated water footprint could equal the annual domestic water needs of all 1.3 billion residents of Sub-Saharan Africa.
• The land footprint could exceed 14,500 km², nearly 10 times the size of Mexico City.
• AI infrastructure could generate up to 2.5 million metric tons of e-waste annually by 2030.
• Most US water utilities have not fully accounted for the water implications of AI-driven infrastructure growth.
• About 75% of data center water use is from off-site needs such as power generation and hardware manufacturing.
• The AI buildout presents an opportunity to spur much-needed US grid modernization.
• The UN report emphasizes responsible AI use and proactive addressing of unintended impacts for sustainability and equity. Continue reading https://www.axios.com/2026/06/05/data-centers-resource-needs-environmental-stakes