From phone pictures and social media trends to speedy online bookings, much of modern life is powered by fast, reliable connection to the cloud. But environmentalists say our addiction to 24/7 data is unsustainable. Cloud data is stored in huge, power-hungry warehouses called data centres around the world. Tech haven Ireland plays host to about 80 data centres, which collectively use up about a fifth of the country’s power – about the same as all urban households. Environmental groups and local councils are calling for a ban on future data centres, arguing they frustrate Ireland’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. The industry says it's powering Ireland’s clean energy transition, and must meet the explosive growth in data from AI and virtual reality. So what can we learn from Ireland’s battle to balance our demand for digital convenience with decarbonisation? 0:00 Intro 0:47 Inside a data centre 2:47 Ireland's data debate 3:41 The industry's solutions? 4:58 Anti-data centre protest 6:08 Rising demand for data 7:11 Do we need all this data? Subscribe: https://www.bit.ly/3L0j2Ro Watch more videos: https://www.bit.ly/3FPmblU Visit our site: https://www.context.news/ — We make short documentaries, explainers and original series for people who care about the world’s biggest challenges. Context is anchored around three of the most significant and interdependent issues of our time: climate change, the impact of technology on society and inclusive economies. We contextualize how critical issues and events affect ordinary people, society and the environment. Context is a media platform brought to you by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. Through journalism, media development, free legal assistance, and convening initiatives, we combine our unique services to drive systemic change.