If the news is any clue, global warming seems to be running away from us. Live Science reminds us that global warming is the gradual heating of the Earth’s surface, typically caused by human activity. The effects of this warming on global climates can be disastrous. However, commercial companies are taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment. Recently, Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, announced that the company intends to have carbon-free data centers by 2030. Environmentalists will see this as a huge win, but it’s keeping with what we expect of hyperscale operators.
Google, the world’s largest search engine, is likely to significantly impact the environment because of its operations. One of the company’s most vital operating expenses is power since electricity is necessary for its data centers. Most companies providing local SEO service know how crucial an operator the company is. With their sheer size, Google can be a significant force to push the developed world towards more sustainable practices.
A Shift to Full Carbon-Free Operation
In the past, larger companies were satisfied with matching their carbon-based energy consumption with carbon-free options. Unfortunately, these companies’ increased output has meant that they have had to shift gears towards being more environmentally friendly. Google boasts that, at current, they are the only major tech company to commit to a carbon-free operation paradigm. They also note that this is one of the hardest things a modern company can aim to do.
Artificial Intelligence to the Rescue
The biggest problem large companies consistently have with energy consumption is efficiency. Google did a presentation about power provisioning for a warehouse sized data center in the past. The new initiative to become fully carbon-free by 2030 incorporates artificial intelligence to help the company with its energy provisioning. This approach builds technology into the company’s aim to create sustainable, fast data centers.
Google has been one of the most prominent buyers of green electricity in recent years. By matching its renewable energy purchases with traditional production methods, the company has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. Already, most of that green energy that it buys goes towards powering the company’s data centers. This process suggests that Google very likely had this plan for a zero-carbon data center when they started buying energy from green producers. All the company has to do now is increase the amount it spends on green energy to meet its expected goal date of 2030.
A Look To the Future
Sustainability is the goal of most large businesses today. Google’s dedication to producing a data center that will be 100% carbon-free is not an unreachable suggestion. Already, companies around the US are making the switch to renewables and reducing their activities’ impact on the Earth. However, while these actions seem to be an environmentally responsible move, they might not be enough. Companies in highly industrialized developing nations need to follow suit, or else the initiative to become carbon-free will fall short. The move towards industrial sustainability needs to be a joint effort that incorporates all of humanity.