Many of us have never thought about what happens in the cloud - the digital cloud, that is. Unlike that junk drawer we all have in our kitchens, the cloud doesn't seem to crowd our space, reminding us of the un-filed detritus of our lives. It feels safe and secure to know that our letters, photos, and all the important memorabilia of life won't be subject to fires, floods, or earthquakes. The cloud feels lightweight because there's no physical manifestation of it. However, I recently listened to a fascinating podcast about the data and cooling centers required to maintain the incredible amount of digital storage we require. With the advent of AI, that need has grown insatiable, and these data centers are consuming more electricity than small towns. Where are these digital cities full of loud whirring machines that require constant cooling? They are all around us - in any state endowed with stretches of land that can house these behemoths. In the future, will we need to consider the environmental impact of our digital footprints?
