A fresh window into AI’s climate costs
Google just delivered the most transparent look we’ve yet had at the energy use associated with AI searches. Its Gemini apps sip about five drops of water and 0.24 watt-hours of energy for every text query they answer—which is equivalent to running a microwave for about a second. That number includes the power used by the AI chips that run models and the other infrastructure needed to support that hardware. “We wanted to be quite comprehensive in all the things we included,” Jeff Dean, Google’s chief scientist, told MIT Technology Review. The estimate, though, has limitations: It applies only to text prompts and represents the average draw when we know that some queries are thirstier than others. Experts who study the footprint of AI also told The Verge that the way Google tabulated its numbers could be downplaying both water and emissions associated with AI queries.
What you can do: While the footprint of a single search may be small, the costs add up quickly across the billions of prompts fed into AI models every day. In some cases, however, using something like ChatGPT can be more efficient than doing the same task manually. Here’s what to know about managing the climate costs of AI searches.
Can the West get on board with seaweed?
Kelp wanted! Seaweed is surging worldwide, with farming for the vast array of marine plants doubling over the last decade. That makes sense: In addition to being incredibly nutritious—it’s stuffed with vitamins, minerals, omega-3s, and in some cases as much protein per gram as 80/20 beef—growing it requires no fertilizer, fresh water, or even farmland. While none of this is news in many East Asian nations where it’s been a dietary staple for thousands of years, much of the Western world still views seaweed as little more than a sushi wrapper. A new study in the journal Food Quality and Preference dug into how to change that. Familiarity, the authors found, was a key reason people were willing to eat seaweed. To make the plants more appealing, the researchers suggest a range of tactics, including incorporating them into familiar recipes.
What can you do: Even if you’re new to seaweed, you may already like its taste. It’s high in glutamates—the compounds that deliver umami—and so it can add depth to all kinds of sweet and savory dishes. Try it in a few recipes, like chocolate chip cookies, our cucumber soba-salad, or this miso-ranch snack mix.
A march to make billionaires pay
Mark your calendars: On Saturday, September 20, the “Make Billionaires Pay” march will take place in New York City. The march—co-organized by more than 100 groups including 350.org, the social justice organization Desis Rising Up and Moving, and the Women’s March—aims to draw attention to how corporations and the ultra-wealthy profit from the destruction of the environment. As Inside Climate News points out, the coalition is evidence of a new approach to climate activism that reflects the deep interconnectedness of many of the modern world’s biggest problems, including the rise of authoritarianism, economic hardship, and exploitative labor practices. Timed to coincide with the U.N. General Assembly, the demonstration also marks the second anniversary of the “March to End Fossil Fuels” and comes on the heels of recent “Make Polluters Pay” events, which advocates say helped get laws like Vermont’s Climate Superfund Act passed
What you can do: If you’re able to make it to NYC, here are all the details you need to join the march. You can also find an event in your area or sign up to host one.
EV sales are accelerating fast
Do you hear that? That’s the hum of electric vehicles zipping out of dealerships. July was a record month for new EV sales, with 130,082 vehicles sold—a 26.4% jump month-over-month and 19.7% spike year-over-year, according to Cox Automotive. Sales of used electric rides also surged, with a 23.2% hike month-over-month and 40.0% increase year-over-year. That spike in sales is largely due to buyers racing to cash in on federal EV tax incentives, which are set to expire at the end of September. There’s a good reason for that: As the gap between the average sale price of gas- and electric-powered cars has continue to shrink, the tax breaks saved 17.5% off the transaction price on average.
What can you do: If you’re considering buying an EV before incentives run out—or are simply curious about their environmental, cost, and drivability scorecards—we’ve answered some of the most common questions about EVs and broke down what the tax incentives entail.