The Revelator

2 days ago | therevelator.org | John R. Platt

The Earth has a new threat: massive computer data centers. A recent study predicted that these data centers — which already consume about 1.5% of global electricity — will double their energy usage in the next five years, to about 945 terawatt hours a year. To put that in perspective, a single terawatt hour could power all of California for a week and half. The culprit in this massive increase in energy consumption? Generative artificial intelligence (AI).

1 week ago | therevelator.org | David Shiffman

The single greatest threat to the diversity of life in our oceans over the past 50 years, more than climate change or plastic pollution, has been unsustainable fishing practices. In much of the ocean, there is little to no regulation or oversight of commercial fishing or other human activities. That’s part of the reason about a tenth of marine plant and animal species are considered threatened or at risk. It’s also why countries around the world have been creating marine protected areas.

1 week ago | therevelator.org | John Platt

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in English and has been translated into Spanish by Climática. En estos tiempos de tanta división, parece que todo el mundo está listo para iniciar una discusión a la mínima provocación, especialmente sobre temas que se han vuelto tan políticamente polarizantes como el cambio climático. ¿Pero es esto cierto? ¿Realmente están condenadas desde el inicio las conversaciones sobre el cambio climático?

1 week ago | therevelator.org | Juliet Grable

Late last February I joined a group of volunteers to deliver a family of beavers to a creek in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon. Snow blanketed the ground, glittering in the winter sun as we strapped on snowshoes. Jakob Shockey, founder of the nonprofit Project Beaver, called out, “Who wants to carry a beaver?” Five of them — mom, dad, and three offspring — rested beside him, each safely ensconced in a canvas bag for their protection.

3 weeks ago | therevelator.org | John R. Platt

Every day drivers head north on Route 205 out of Portland, Oregon, cross the mighty Columbia River and the state line, and arrive in Washington. Many of them will immediately head east, where on a clear day they’ll soon see snow-capped Mt. Hood looming over Highway 14. Also known as the Lewis & Clark Highway, this busy road will take them toward the suburban cities of Camas and Washougal.