Depredadores Digitales (Círculo Rojo, 2022) is an independent, worldwide journalistic investigation into the hidden social and environmental consequences of the digital industry, the platform economy, and our everyday digital consumption habits.

Why does the social-environmental impact of digitalization matter?

The explosive growth of digitalization — accelerated by Artificial Intelligence and digital sovereignty — is driving a massive increase in carbon footprint, water footprint, and e-waste. These impacts are rarely factored into corporate or governmental digital strategies.

This omission, combined with rising digital pollution, is unsustainable. While we celebrate technological progress, we continue to externalize its heavy environmental and social costs.

How big is the problem?

Several scientific reports paint a concerning picture. Global data centers already consume hundreds of terawatt-hours of electricity annually (equivalent to the power use of entire countries), with projections showing this demand could double or triple by 2028–2030. AI systems alone could generate between 33 and 80 million tons of CO₂ in 2025 — comparable to the annual emissions of a major city like New York.

The physical infrastructure behind our digital world — mining rare minerals, semiconductor manufacturing, data centers, undersea cables, satellites, and massive e-waste streams — demands ever-growing amounts of energy and freshwater. Data centers are among the fastest-growing water users in many regions, with hyperscalers like Google and Meta reporting billions of gallons consumed yearly for cooling. Global e-waste reached 62 million tons in 2022 and continues climbing rapidly, with very low recycling rates.

We often relativize this impacts because it feels invisible. Meanwhile, digital sovereignty ranks high on national agendas, yet its intersection with energy security, resource depletion, and climate change is frequently downplayed or ignored by key industry players.

What can we do?

Addressing these externalities requires critical thinking: questioning the real necessity and usefulness of many of our digital habits, purchasing decisions, and constant upgrades.

We urgently need transparent, universal methodologies to measure and report the true footprint of digital technologies. In this context, digital sobriety — conscious reduction in unnecessary consumption, extended device lifespans, and more mindful use — emerges as a practical and powerful response.