Ever since ChatGPT first became available in the winter of 2022, it has been a valuable resource for students worldwide and within the Taft community. Whether you’re asking the bot for help studying for a math test or using it to organize class notes, its accessibility and ease of use have helped it establish itself as a fixture of school life. Typing a prompt into ChatGPT has become a mindless everyday occurrence for many. Beyond the obvious concerns about academic integrity, the site’s widespread daily use also raises significant ecological concerns, specifically pertaining to its water usage.
According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, ChatGPT uses an estimated 500 milliliters of water (roughly the amount in a 16-ounce bottle) every time you ask it a series of 5 to 50 questions or prompts. This range varies depending on where its servers are located and the season. The estimate includes indirect water usage that tech companies usually don’t measure, such as cooling the power plants that supply data centers with electricity.
Freshwater makes up just 2.5% of the world’s total water volume, and over half of that amount is ice. 70% of the world’s usable freshwater is used for agriculture. By 2050, two-thirds of the global population is expected to experience water scarcity, disrupting many areas of daily life.
Given these figures, conserving freshwater is essential. The recent California wildfires have highlighted this reality. The fires were partially caused by an ongoing drought in the state, and the water needed to fight them has put an additional strain on the region’s water supply. As we continue to chip away at our planet’s finite resources in the years to come, events like these will become more and more frequent and more and more intense.
This reality should invite us to reflect on our habits, like our reliance on ChatGPT. While a couple of prompts here and there might seem inconsequential on a larger scale, with millions of users accessing ChatGPT every day, its cumulative water footprint becomes significant. So, instead of defaulting to the platform for every task you are assigned, pause and think: could this same question be answered with a regular old internet search, through reviewing class notes, or by asking a friend? These alternatives won’t just reduce our water consumption but also encourage independent thinking and problem-solving skills, some of which we seem to have lost in the age of ChatGPT.
It’s also worth noting that tech companies themselves have a responsibility to mitigate the environmental impact of their platforms. Investing in more energy-efficient servers, using renewable energy sources, and implementing advanced cooling technologies are just a few ways they can improve their water and energy efficiency. As users, we can support these efforts by choosing to engage with companies that prioritize sustainability.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to eliminate the use of ChatGPT but to approach it more thoughtfully. While AI tools have become an integral part of modern life, it’s crucial to balance their benefits with their environmental costs. Small changes in our behavior, such as limiting unnecessary prompts or exploring alternative resources, can collectively make a big difference.