07/09/2026
The webinar below sounds intersting and informative:
AI can be very helpful, but at what cost, and who pays the price?
We invite you to the webinar "Counting the Ecological Cost of AI: Data Centres, Water, Energy, and Critical Mineral Extraction", on Thursday 17 September 2026 at 16:00 Zurich time, on Zoom. The webinar is hosted by the World Council of Churches Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development and the Commission on Health and Healing, in partnership with the Canadian Council of Churches.
Training AI models can use as much electricity as hundreds of households, and a single AI conversation can require half a litre of fresh water for cooling. Behind every chatbot query sits a data centre that consumes energy, water and critical minerals, often imposed on rural and poor communities without their consent.
The panel brings together theologians, ethicists and scientists to ask what climate justice demands of the AI age, and how churches can respond. Peter Kuhnert, co-chair of the WCC Faith and Science Working Group, will moderate. The panellists are Rev Glen Chebon Kernell (Seminole Nation, United Methodist Church in USA, and Commission of the Churches on International Affairs), Rev Dr Yoon-Jae Chang (Presbyterian Church in Korea, and Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development), and Ms Wanjou Lin (Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and University of Tubingen).
Interpretation will be available in Spanish, French and German.
All are welcome to attend. Please share this invitation with your colleagues and networks.
👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ACI8gdj5Q0OJaA-XQVidtg
More information at https://oikoumene.org/events/webinar-counting-the-ecological-cost-of-ai-data-centres-water-energy-and-critical-mineral-extraction
From Valter Hugo Muniz
WCC Online Productions coordinator
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and Canadian Council of Churches will host a webinar panel discussion, entitled “Counting the Ecological Cost of AI - Data Centres, Water, Energy, and Critical Mineral Extraction,” on 17 September at 10 am (GMT-4:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada).
