The day of the datacentres
Summary
This episode examines the environmental impact of AI data centers, featuring Professor Deborah Andrews on water and energy consumption. It also covers new research by Julie Cole linking stronger El Niño events to global warming via coral records. Additionally, author Rose George discusses fish sentience and overfishing, while Tom discusses the impending demise of NASA’s Swift telescope.
Topics discussed
Intro, ads, and episode overview
Data centers: water use and carbon emissions debate
Interview: Data center growth and cooling trade-offs
Energy demand, location, and end-of-life recycling
El Nino strengthening linked to global warming
Coral records and future climate impacts
Ads and transition to book prize segment
Rose George on fish sentience and overfishing
Sustainable fishing labels and fish cognition
The failed rescue of the Swift telescope
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