A new analysis of seven states housing roughly half of America's data centers finds that generating the electricity these facilities consume uses far more water than cooling their servers does. Across Virginia, Texas, California, Illinois, Georgia, Ohio and Arizona, data center power demand draws about 3.4 trillion gallons of freshwater a year—about 12 times the combined annual water use of Los Angeles, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Most of that electricity comes from water-dependent power plants, and two-thirds of them sit in regions already facing significant water stress or drought.
ceres.org
· 2026-08-25
A new study attributes trillions of gallons of water depletion across the western United States to emissions produced by 122 major fossil fuel and cement companies. Researchers say this marks the first attempt to directly connect specific corporate carbon emissions to regional water scarcity.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-08-25
A Congressional Research Service report cited by the Library of Congress estimates US data centers consumed 17 billion gallons of water in 2023, about triple the 2014 level. Over 80% of that footprint comes indirectly from electricity generation needed to power the facilities, rather than from onsite cooling systems.
forgeeks.net
· 2026-08-25
Ocean surface temperatures have climbed to their highest level ever recorded, according to new data. Scientists point to a combination of long-term warming trends and short-term weather patterns driving the spike.
bbc.com
· 2026-08-24
China called off the August 24 launch of its Chang'e 7 lunar probe, pushing the mission to no earlier than February or March 2027. Officials cited a need for 'absolute safety,' with reports pointing to Typhoon Narra near the Hainan launch site as the likely trigger, alongside orbital timing constraints requiring a 90-day reconnaissance phase before landing.
science.slashdot.org
· 2026-08-24
Alex Tarnava, inventor and patent holder of hydrogen water tablets used by roughly 100 wellness brands, has built a business selling about 40 million doses monthly without ever taking venture capital funding. He also created Inhale H2, a patent-pending medical gas and aerosolized drug delivery device priced at $6,499 that has sold out twice since its December launch. Tarnava says he bootstrapped everything despite a childhood spent below the poverty line.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-08-24
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