Online retail giant Amazon has come under fire for its significant contribution to pollution, emitting more planet-heating gases per year than many entire countries, according to a report by The Eco Experts. However, a new report by Business Insider reveals that the company’s data centers are also major contributors to pollution, an often-overlooked source. Data centers are physical locations that house the computer hardware necessary for various functions, including data storage, network equipment, e-commerce, video streaming, and artificial intelligence.
Amazon is currently developing a staggering $87 billion worth of data centers, which often go unnoticed due to their featureless, warehouse-like structures. These data centers consume such vast amounts of power that they strain entire energy grids and worsen the climate crisis. The report highlights that Amazon operates or plans to build 102 data centers in northern Virginia alone, requiring more energy than the entire city of Seattle.
The demand for power from these data centers has led energy companies to turn away from clean energy solutions like wind and solar. Dominion Energy recently proposed canceling the retirement of dirty energy infrastructure and even constructing new gas-burning plants to meet the escalating demand.
Despite Amazon’s claims of being an environmentally responsible company, recent actions suggest otherwise. The company reneged on its promise to make half of its shipments carbon neutral by 2030, drawing criticism from internet commenters but little response from governments and regulators. Furthermore, Amazon has been accused of using Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to manipulate its environmental impact reports. These certificates have been criticized for their mixed track record and potential for greenwashing.
While Amazon has made some efforts towards sustainability, such as reducing plastic packaging and electrifying a portion of its delivery fleet, it continues to destroy millions of unsold products, consume massive amounts of energy daily, and emit gases equivalent to entire countries’ annual emissions.
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