How AI could help the climate
- Simona Domazetoska
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
As AI systems grow more powerful and embedded in our daily lives, so too does their impact on the planet. There’s growing public concern around the electricity demands of training and running AI models, especially in an era where the climate crisis is no longer a distant threat but a daily reality.
A recent Economist article titled “How AI Could Help the Climate” brings nuance to this conversation. While AI's energy appetite is indeed significant, it also holds powerful potential to help decarbonise some of the dirtiest industries. But we need to get serious about transparency, accountability, and smarter policy if we want the benefits to outweigh the costs.
Let’s unpack some of the most eye-opening stats from the article:
Key Stats on AI’s Environmental Impact
⏩ "Asking Chatgpt a question means using 10x more energy than an old-fashioned search query." A single AI prompt may feel like a simple action, but under the hood, it consumes vastly more computational power than traditional search engines.
⏩ "Google’s greenhouse-gas emissions rose by nearly half between 2019 and 2023, as the AI boom took off; Microsoft’s are up by almost 30% since 2020." The environmental cost of powering AI tools is already visible in the rising emissions of major tech companies.
⏩ "The International Energy Agency (IEA) reckons that electricity consumption by data centres could as much as treble in the next 5 years." As data demands rise, so too will the burden on our energy systems—unless we act now to shift toward clean sources.
⏩ "Data centres today account for about 1.5% of the world’s electricity consumption." A surprisingly high baseline—one that's expected to climb rapidly.
⏩ "From August 2026 the EU will require some AI developers to report their energy use in detail." This is a promising step forward. Transparency is key if we want to track and reduce AI’s carbon footprint.
⏩ "Microsoft, for instance, aims to become 'carbon negative' by 2030." Tech giants are making bold promises. The question is: can they walk the talk?
From Energy Hog to Climate Hero?
The Economist doesn’t paint AI as a climate villain. Quite the opposite: it highlights real-world examples of how AI is already helping reduce emissions—by improving grid efficiency, optimizing fuel use in shipping, and detecting methane leaks.
But there’s a catch: AI’s positive impact on the climate isn’t automatic. It requires:
Smarter data center infrastructure
Stronger regulations
Authentic environmental accountability from the tech sector
Why It Matters for All of Us
At Mindful AI, we believe AI should serve humanity—not the other way around. That includes making sure AI helps us build a livable planet, not harm it.
This moment calls for clear-headed dialogue, stronger oversight, and real technological responsibility. If you're passionate about climate tech, AI ethics, or simply want to stay informed about how technology is shaping our future — you’re in the right place.
Follow Mindful AI on LinkedIn for more insights like this one.
Let’s keep asking the hard questions about AI — and keep building toward answers that make sense for people and planet alike.
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