Tech on Climate: Facebook’s New Sustainability Goal to Restore More Water Than Its Uses by 2023
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acebook is one of those companies that has never hidden its interest in combating climate change and opting for initiatives that will mitigate various environmental challenges through technology. As part of its plans to continue to create initiatives for the betterment of the world, the tech giant announced the rollout of its latest initiative to combat climate change. Speaking at the 56th Munich Security Conference, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the company’s latest initiative is to restore more water than it consumes by 2030. The new sustainability goal would redirect the company’s efforts to regions that use fewer water resources and highrisk areas that face water supply issues. Currently, Facebook uses about 3.7 million cubic meters of water for cooling the banks of the various computers it uses in its data centers. WATER SUSTAINABILITY IMPORTANT TO CURBING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Sylvia Lee stated that Facebook would focus on various high-risk areas with limited access to the water supply. According to the lead sustainability water initiative at Facebook in an interview, wildfires, droughts, floods, are some of the biggest impacts of climate change connected to water. California, the headquarters of Facebook, has seen the most intense wildfire and record heat waves in the state’s history due to climate change. Earlier in August, the UK released a report, drawing the attention of concerned parties to take action against climate change. The organization warned of impending global warming that could go above pre-industrial levels in the next two decades 10 l
if something drastic isn’t done immediately. According to the UN report, global warming at 2°C, the heat would get extreme, and at this level, it would become too unbearable for agriculture and human health. Facebook isn’t the only big tech company making plans to go green. Apple has also stated that it supports the clean energy project the Biden administration has proposed, which tends to eliminate greenhouse gasses by 2035. Snap also unveiled its climate strategy to minimize greenhouse emissions and use 100% renewable energy. Amazon has also revealed its climate change initiative “Climate Pledge.” The initiative aims to cut carbon emissions by 80% in 2024. Aside from big tech companies, Pepsi has taken a similar step to make available water supply. The company promised to replenish more water than its uses by 2030. In addition to the water initiative, Facebook also pledged to the planting of 70,000 trees in California to help restore the lands burned by wildfires in 2018. Facebook had previously set up a fund to support the Colorado River Indian Tribes System to stabilize the water levels of Lake Mead in Arizona. The company said it would expand its efforts to other countries, such as Singapore and UK. Facebook confirmed earlier this year that it was now reliant on renewable energy months after the company set a goal to become net zero in September last year. With the world driving towards green energy, it’s important to note that the housing market will not THE POWER IS NOW MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2021
