UK Urges Citizens to Delete Emails to Combat Drought

The UK’s National Drought Group has suggested an unconventional water-saving measure: deleting old emails and photos. With parts of England facing severe drought, officials argue that reducing digital clutter can help lower water consumption in data centers, which rely on cooling systems. While the direct impact of individual actions remains unclear, the call highlights the growing awareness of technology’s hidden environmental costs.

Data centers, essential for storing emails and running AI services, consume vast amounts of water for cooling. A recent study by Mistral AI found that generating a single AI response uses 45 milliliters of water, with larger models consuming up to half a liter per 10-50 responses. As millions use these services daily, the cumulative effect on water resources becomes significant.

Five regions in England are officially in drought, with six more experiencing prolonged dry weather—the worst in nearly 50 years. The government has declared it a ’nationally significant incident,’ urging collective action. While turning off taps remains critical, the focus on digital habits reflects the expanding scope of environmental responsibility in the tech era.

droughtwater conservationemailsdata centersUKenvironmenttechnologyclimateAIsustainability