Why turning to cloud storage is actually bad for the environment

Summary

The video script highlights the environmental impact of cloud storage, revealing that data centers consume significant energy and water resources. In 2014, they accounted for 1.8% of US electricity use, equivalent to New Jersey's consumption. Professor Landon Marston suggests reducing data storage by deleting old files, turning off devices, and advocating for sustainable practices in data centers to mitigate environmental harm.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The cloud is a physical infrastructure that stores data, not a virtual space where data disappears.
• 🏢 Cloud data is stored in large facilities known as datacenters or server farms, which are filled with servers.
• 🔋 Datacenters require substantial amounts of energy to operate, often sourced from fossil fuels.
• 💡 In 2014, datacenters accounted for 1.8% of US electricity consumption, comparable to the entire state of New Jersey's usage.
• 💧 Datacenters also consume significant water resources, equivalent to over 200,000 Olympic-size swimming pools annually.
• 🗑️ Reducing data storage by deleting old emails and photos can decrease the need for data centers, thus reducing environmental impact.
• 📺 Turning off devices like TVs and streaming services when not in use conserves energy and reduces data center resource use.
• 🌿 Encouraging data center companies to adopt sustainable practices can have a long-term positive effect on the environment.
• 🗣️ Using your voice to engage with large data center companies can influence them to be more environmentally conscious.
• 🛑 Small individual actions, like turning off devices overnight, can collectively make a significant difference in energy and water consumption.
• 🌱 The script emphasizes the importance of both personal and corporate responsibility in mitigating the environmental impact of cloud services.

Q & A

What is the primary concern about cloud storage and its impact on the environment?

The primary concern is that cloud storage, which stores data like photos, videos, emails, and apps, consumes significant amounts of energy and water. This energy often comes from fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.

Where are the data stored in cloud services physically located?

The data in cloud services are stored on physical servers, which are housed in large facilities known as datacenters or server farms.

What kind of energy is typically used to operate datacenters?

Datacenters often require substantial amounts of energy, which usually comes from fossil fuels.

How much of the US electricity consumption was attributed to datacenters in 2014?

In 2014, 1.8% of US electricity consumption was attributed to datacenters, which is roughly equivalent to the electricity consumption of the state of New Jersey.

What is the water consumption of US datacenters in terms of Olympic size swimming pools?

U.S. datacenters directly and indirectly consume the equivalent of over 200,000 Olympic size swimming pools of water each year.

What is one simple action individuals can take to reduce the environmental impact of cloud storage?

Individuals can start by deleting old emails and photos, which reduces the amount of data stored on the cloud and, consequently, the need for more data centers.

Why is turning off the TV before going to bed suggested as a way to help the environment?

Turning off the TV before going to bed helps reduce the use of data center resources, which in turn decreases energy consumption and the associated environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.

Who is Landon Marston and what does he suggest to reduce the environmental impact of datacenters?

Landon Marston is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech. He suggests using your voice to engage with large data center companies and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices.

What is the long-term environmental impact of using data center resources inefficiently?

Inefficient use of data center resources leads to increased consumption of fossil fuels, higher greenhouse gas emissions, and greater water consumption, all of which contribute to environmental degradation.

How can individuals make a significant impact on the environment by interacting with data center companies?

Individuals can make a significant impact by using their voice to reach out to data center companies and encourage them to shift towards more sustainable practices, which can have a lasting effect on the environment.

What role does the use of streaming services like Netflix play in the environmental impact of datacenters?

The use of streaming services, especially when they are left running overnight, consumes data center resources and energy, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption.