Artificial intelligence feels invisible. But the digital economy runs on very physical things: water, land, energy, minerals, labor, and infrastructure.
In this episode of Panic With A Purpose, Nhi and CJ unpack the environmental relationship between technology and natural resources - from AI data centers and water scarcity to cobalt extraction, deep sea mining, data sovereignty, and who actually gets to decide where this infrastructure gets built.
Some of the things we talk about:
- Why AI infrastructure uses absurd amounts of water and energ
- The politics of data centers, extraction, and “innovation”
- Whether technology is saving us or speedrunning ecological collapse
- Why literacy, local organizing, and asking annoying questions actually matter
Also included:
existential dread, accidental comedy, Scooby-Doo voices, and at least one deeply concerning statistic.
This is the first episode in a larger series exploring the environmental footprint of AI and digital infrastructure.
To learn more, visit https://www.nuatlas.org/podcast
📚 Sources referenced in the episode HERE
💬 Leave your thoughts, corrections, or questions in the comments or use https://www.nuatlas.org/contact-us
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Show cast and crew:
Hosts and creators: Nhiyc (Nhi Corcoran) & CJ the EJ Guy (Charles Knoble)
Producer: Joanna Jastrzebska
Editor: Maxine Beceril
Disclaimer:
Acknowledging our bias:
This episode was written by our team operating primarily in Global North contexts, using English-language sources, with easier access to Western frameworks and examples. We're aware this creates blind spots.
Our attempt at accountability:
Actively seeking examples from Global South, particularly communities on extraction frontlines
Centring resistance from those most impacted by climate and data extraction
Acknowledging when we lack information rather than generalising from limited examples
Inviting correction and contribution from global listeners
Committing to ongoing learning and updating this brief as we learn more
What we're not doing:
Claiming objectivity (impossible. all research has perspective)
Treating Global North frameworks as universal or superior
Using Global South examples only as victims/problems rather than leaders/solutions
Assuming our audience shares our context
Pretending we can represent experiences we haven't lived
If you hear gaps, misrepresentations, or have examples we've missed: tell us. We want this to be a conversation!
