<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some young Australians are rejecting popular generative AI tools, refusing to use ChatGPT or Google Gemini for fear of what it could mean for the planet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's no secret that powerful generative AI models have environmental consequences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A single ChatGPT query consumes nearly </span><a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/AI-poised-to-drive-160-increase-in-power-demand" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="10 times as much"><span>10 times as much</span></a><span> energy as a typical Google search, and it takes about </span><a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2304.03271" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="half a litre"><span>half a litre</span></a><span> of water to process 20 to 50 queries.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/1080-bait-poison-pet-dog-owner-ban-campaign/39b442e2-e92c-40c9-add2-7911249d6a0c" target="_blank"><strong><span>Yvette's beloved pet dog was almost killed by poison found all over Australia</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Senior lecturer at RMIT University's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, Dr Ascelin Gordon admitted that might not sound like a big deal for an individual.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"But collectively, everyone doing it is hugely significant," he told 9news.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And for some Australians, that's a big problem.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/generative-ai-environmental-impact-concerns-eco-anxiety/6303df5a-2d18-43ca-9e82-424028a99ab9" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than 75 per cent of Australians aged 16-25 are </span><a href="https://www.orygen.org.au/getmedia/ebb8b76f-68a7-424e-b454-b056c1c87985/Climate-of-distress-Survey-results-2023.aspx?ext=.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="worried about climate change"><span>worried about climate change</span></a><span> and two-thirds say climate concerns are having a negative impact on youth mental health.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They're also the demographic most likely to be affected by the consequences of climate change, so experts aren't surprised that some are opting out of the AI revolution.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Young people are thinking really deeply about how to live well in a world that's increasingly fraught with environmental crises," postdoctoral fellow at the Black Dog Institute Dr Chloe Watfern told 9news.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Unfortunately, they have been forced into a position of resisting."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>The environmental impact of generative AI</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yes, AI can support climate science and potentially groundbreaking environmental research.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also has the potential to do serious damage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Generative AI models need massive computational power to train and run them, so they rely on data centres – buildings full of computer servers – that churn through huge amounts of electricity all over the globe.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-mena-creek-paraglider-dies-after-falling-20-metres-from-parachute/afddef2a-25c6-4964-a24a-c0a75acf820c" target="_blank"><strong><span>Paraglider dies after falling 20 metres from parachute over Far North Queensland</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Data centres consumed about 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022 alone, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). All of Australia consumed less than 300TWh that same year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>By comparison, all of Australia consumed less than 300TWh that same year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While some data centres are connected to renewable energy sources or take other measures to limit their environmental impact, it's still significant – and it's growing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Data centres could consume between 600TWh and 1,000TWh by 2026, per the IEA.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That's equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of France or Japan.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They also require huge amounts of water to keep cool, and produce significant electronic waste (e-waste) because parts need to be regularly replaced.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's important to note that data centres were around long before the AI boom and are used to support everything from cloud computing, to e-commerce, and social media but demand for them has exploded since the rise of generative AI.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And while Australians concerned about the environmental impacts can choose not to support tools like ChatGPT, some AI models are harder to avoid.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Google now displays AI summaries at the top of most searches and social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram use AI to fuel their algorithms.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You have no choice about that. If you use Google, you're getting the generative AI summary whether you want it or not," Gordon said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>The rise of eco-anxiety</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Eco-anxiety rates are rising as young Australians grapple with the climate crisis and contributors like the AI boom.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many experience feelings of distress, helplessness and grief over environmental issues, which can progress into serious mental health concerns.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The lingering lack of awareness among mental health professionals on how to treat eco-anxiety can also make it difficult for people to get help.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It can become debilitating," Watfern said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bendigo-bank-shuts-down-10-branches-in-victoria-queensland-tasmania/7aee57c8-3eec-40ce-8b23-826d49986ba4" target="_blank"><strong><span>Regional towns to lose last physical bank as Bendigo Bank shuts 10 branches</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Given the environmental impacts of AI, she's not surprised that some young people are responding with anxiety, concern or resistance.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Young people are actively finding ways to to resist ... and they're pointing the blame squarely where it should be, on governments and big corporations," Watfern said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's a sense of being let down or even betrayed, and a lot of well deserved anger."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>About 80 per cent of Gen Z university students are </span><a href="https://sustainableearthreviews.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42055-024-00075-w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="'concerned' or 'very concerned' "><span>'concerned' or 'very concerned'</span></a><span> about climate change and almost 40 per cent are involved in climate activism.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many are demanding that those in charge, be it governments or corporations, take meaningful action to solve climate change.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But it's not up to Gen Z alone to solve the climate crisis and many suffer burnout as a result of campaigning for change that is slow to come.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What can be done?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In an ideal future, Gordon wants to see AI companies adopt energy and water efficiency ratings like those found on household appliances so consumers can make informed decisions about their use.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He also advocates for businesses to be required to produce regular, transparent sustainability reports.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's no cut and dry, easy answer to all this. The main thing is just for people to be aware of the environmental considerations of AI," Gordon said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For people to consciously reduce their footprint by renouncing use of generative AI ... is certainly a good and inspiring thing."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/the-hidden-physical-powers-that-help-women-outlive-men/fc7764ba-022d-4c00-ab7a-9d51de1c47dc" target="_blank"><strong><span>The hidden physical powers that help women outlive men</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2023/04/12/10/49/jobs-ai-will-replace-technology"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/fVxpYiPOk4R6hrxPtCrD9kX0PPY=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fbc7e0104-07f5-41fd-b06a-b8f6c773060f" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/fVxpYiPOk4R6hrxPtCrD9kX0PPY=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fbc7e0104-07f5-41fd-b06a-b8f6c773060f 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/rbyZ-qNcMxcoRMzWtJ05cou7aH4=/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2Fbc7e0104-07f5-41fd-b06a-b8f6c773060f 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">The jobs at most risk of being replaced by AI</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2023/04/12/10/49/jobs-ai-will-replace-technology">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Watfern advocates for accurate and psychologically safe climate education for young Australians as eco-anxiety rates continue to rise.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She also joined more than 100 mental health professionals, doctors, educators, researchers, and youth leaders who spoke out against misinformation around climate change and distress in an open letter last week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is not climate science education that is causing distress, but the lived experience of climate change itself, and the failure of leaders to act," the letter read.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Watfern hopes that in the years to come, leaders will act in the best interests of the young people who will one day soon inherit this planet.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>