Rise in Emissions Demands a Look in the Mirror

Dear Editor,

The United State's greenhouse gas emission rollercoaster continues. After several years of declining numbers, the latest reporting from research firm Rhodium Group indicates rising greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. The shady culprit behind this backsliding might just be...us?

 M0ajor source of new emissions comes from increased energy demand; one of the largest drivers of new energy demand in recent years is the rise of data centers. Everything we do online, from watching the latest Tiktok to streaming your favorite audiobook, requires data centers. These often-massive facilities, filled with rack after rack of steaming hot computer hardware, require huge amounts of power for computation as well as cooling.

Tech companies like Microsoft are building out these facilities to support our insatiable appetite for online content and Artificial Intelligence (AI) - powered devices and content. The latest in our state is Microsoft's proposed data center in southeast corner of the state, fueled by easy access to gobs of water in Lake Michigan for cooling, and power from WE Energies' power plants - which, surprise surprise, are predominantly fossil-fuel powered.

Demand more renewable energy from our utilities. Demand transparency in power, land, and water usage from these tech companies. Most importantly - remember that your digital footprint matters, and spend some time with your devices powered down.

Sincerely,

Nathan Dombeck

Janesville, WI