Cloud computing is the foundation of various applications, services, and corporate initiatives, but its environmental impact is now being scrutinized. Today’s IT leaders are faced with a dilemma – they need to embrace innovation to drive their organizations forward while also considering the environmental consequences of data centers, energy usage, carbon emissions, and e-waste.
To strike the right balance, IT leaders first need to analyze their organization’s cloud and data center assets. Data centers, whether on-premises or in the cloud, are crucial to modern IT infrastructure but come with substantial energy demands, emissions, and environmental impacts. Many data centers draw power from polluting sources, leading to high carbon emissions.
As of 2022, the carbon emissions from cloud computing surpass those from the commercial aviation industry. It is estimated that cloud computing contributes 2.5% – 3.7% of global carbon emissions, with water consumption in data centers also posing environmental concerns. Data centers use significant amounts of water, which can be problematic in regions experiencing water scarcity.
Hyperscale data centers are adopting more sustainable practices, such as water-based cooling systems, to reduce carbon emissions. However, the use of chemicals in cooling systems and the generation of wastewater remain concerns that need to be addressed for environmental sustainability.
IT leaders can make a difference by consolidating servers, improving cooling systems, and adopting energy-efficient hardware in on-premises data centers. Efficiency can also be achieved by refactoring workloads in cloud data centers and utilizing container technologies to reduce resource consumption. Adopting edge computing principles can further optimize energy consumption in data centers.
By making conscious choices and implementing sustainable practices, IT leaders can drive corporate success and technological innovation without compromising environmental health. Collaboration and collective effort will be essential to building a future where technology and environmental stewardship coexist harmoniously.
