earth – WrookieSchU

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is CONSUMPTION.

When we hear the word consumption, we might think of eating or drinking but today, I want to highlight a quieter kind of consumption, the one hidden in Artificial Intelligence. To be honest I have only learned of this today and I was completely mind blown! 🤯

Training and running large AI systems uses VAST amounts of electricity. A single model can consume as much energy as hundreds of homes in a year. There is also the consumption of water whereby MILLIONS of litres are used to keep data centres cool, all so our queries, images, and clever answers arrive to us in seconds.

This is the consumption that we do not taste or see, but it leaves its mark on the grid, on the climate and on the rivers that feed those servers.

So next time we hear the word consumption, maybe we can think not just of food or drink, but of the invisible appetite of our digital world. It begs the question, what will the future hold for Mother Earth with all this energy consumption?

I would say any change I make in this world will be on a very small scale. I am definitely not changing the world massively by any means.

I am sure that I am contributing to negative changes to the world like every other human being, for example, using too much water, eating meat, adding to the amount of rubbish we as humans contribute etc, etc.

However, I try to be aware of small changes we can make and implement positive measures where I can. I may not make any big changes but I feel I can definitely help in small yet significant ways. If we all do something small for the better, a lot can change. We have seen that with covid and lockdowns. Look how much the world improved for the better with no humans on the streets. The air was cleaner, the waters appeared less contaminated and Mother Nature was thriving.

Small changes that I feel I carry out to change the world for the better are:

– using less plastic (no plastic plates, cutlery etc)

– recycling

– using wooden utensils where possible and other sustainable products

– using reusable containers and covers

– using refill bottles and keep cups

– taking my reusable shopping bags to the supermarket

– trying not to let the water run

– being a decent human being, be kind and respectful to others (this will translate to other people)

– teaching students the correct ways to be well-mannered and caring nurses with leading by example.

These are all small things and I am not perfect but if we all make small changes, we can make a positive change for the future generations.

“IT ONLY TAKES ONE PERSON TO MAKE A CHANGE. LET IT BEGIN WITH YOU” (Joyce Thompson).

Wayne ✌🏽

Tag: earth

Wayne’s Word – consumption

Wayne’s Word – earth

Bloganuary Day 29 ♻️