At first glance, the digital world seems like a sustainable world. No trucks, no packaging, no waste.
But behind every streamed video, archived email, or smart AI tool lies a surprising fact: digital services consume water. A lot of water.
The hidden thirst for data
This has to do with data centers—giant server parks that enable our digital storage, communication, and computing power worldwide. These data centers not only use electricity, but also large amounts of cooling water to prevent overheating.
According to research, streaming one hour of video in HD via popular platforms such as YouTube or Spotify can indirectly cost around 55 liters of water.
That water is used for:
- cooling of servers, networks, and AI infrastructure
- power generation for the data center and your device, especially when that electricity comes from fossil fuel or nuclear sources
This is, of course, indirect water consumption—you don’t see it flowing from the tap, but it is consumed to enable your digital comfort. And that counts toward your water footprint.
For comparison: 55 liters is equivalent to one average five-minute shower.
What can you do?
Choose standard quality for video and audio
- Streaming in HD or 4K consumes much more data—and therefore indirectly more water and energy in data centers. Most content, such as webinars or podcasts, also looks great in standard definition (SD).
Lower quality means less data, less energy, and less water.
Use AI wisely—every prompt counts
AI applications such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Midjourney run on enormous computing power in data centers that are often cooled with water.
Every time you put an AI model to work, you indirectly activate a chain of energy and water consumption.
Some models even consume the water equivalent of several liters per prompt, depending on the complexity of the task.
How to save water and energy:
- Set clear, well-thought-out prompts. Avoid repetitions or “just give it a try.”
- Use lighter tools where possible, such as a search engine or template instead of an AI generator.
Use your cloud conciously – Less is more:
Cloud storage tools such as SharePoint, OneDrive, or Dropbox make collaboration easy, but they constantly store everything and synchronize it with servers worldwide.
All those files are copied multiple times, backed up, and kept available—which costs energy and water.
Choose for a smart archive:
- Delete old versions and duplicate documents.
- Enable automatic synchronization only for active folders.
- Archive completed projects offline or in a central storage location, not in the personal cloud.
What is eco mode and how do you turn it on?
Eco mode (or energy-saving mode) reduces your laptop’s energy consumption by automatically adjusting brightness, processor performance, and background tasks.
Less energy also means less water consumption in the production of that electricity—especially if it still comes (partly) from fossil or nuclear sources.
Here’s how to do it:
- Windows: Click Start → Settings → System → Power & battery → Power saving mode and turn it on.
- Mac: Open System Preferences → Battery → Energy Saver.
- Chromebook: Go to Settings → Device → Power Management and select Power Saving.
Use your laptop consciously: close apps you are not using, dim the screen, and turn off Wi-Fi during breaks.
Small click, big difference
Digital sustainability is more than just reducing screen time. It involves being mindful of the energy and water behind every click.
By putting your laptop in eco mode, streaming more efficiently, and cleaning up your cloud, you’re not only helping the power grid, but also our water resources.
Flip the switch today.
For less data. For less energy. For more water.
Sources
Thirsty Data: Water footprint of data centers and digital services. Nature Scientific Data (2023)
International Energy Agency (IEA). Water and Energy Nexus.
Eawag (2021). Global assessment of fossil energy water use and wastewater production.
Visualizing Energy (2023). Electricity generation and water use.
Water Footprint Network. Methodology and tools.
