The Climate Cost of AI

​We are Pasadena Climate Commons — a community hub for engineers, builders, scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in climate solutions. Our mission is to bring people together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and collaborate on meaningful climate action.

​This event is uniquely bringing together two major regional initiatives: Pasadena Connect Week and LA Climate Week. By hosting this conversation at the intersection of these two communities, we want to highlight how Pasadena is actively engaging in climate conversations and building a strong ecosystem around sustainability and innovation.

​We’re excited to welcome participants from across Los Angeles and beyond to visit Pasadena, connect with our local community, and become part of the growing network of people working on climate solutions.

Event Description

AI and “vibe coding” are transforming how software is built, dramatically accelerating development and innovation. But behind every AI model and generated line of code lies an expanding network of energy-intensive data centers that power our digital infrastructure.

​This discussion explores the complex relationship between AI and sustainability. Are the environmental costs of AI — energy consumption, water use, and growing data center demand — outweighing its benefits? Or can AI ultimately become one of the most powerful tools for climate solutions?

​Together with our speakers, we’ll examine both sides of this equation: the environmental footprint of modern computing, the role AI plays in advancing climate research and clean technologies, and the practical steps developers, companies, and policymakers can take to ensure AI supports a more sustainable future.