Snapshot 2:Wed, Aug 13, 2025 5:50:50 PM GMT last edited by Vandita

UK Urges Citizens to Delete Emails to Save Water

Published AUG 13

story

Above: Foxton Locks closed to through-boats as drought conditions impact the Grand Union Canal on Aug. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Joe Giddens/PA Images/Getty Images

The Spin

The government's email deletion advice makes practical sense during this water crisis. Data centers consume massive amounts of water for cooling, and every small action adds up when millions participate. Water demand already dropped 20% in the Severn Trent area after conservation messaging.

Medium

Telling people to delete emails is misguided theater that distracts from real solutions. Once data is stored, it generates minimal heat and servers often spin down when not needed. The UK should focus on fixing the 800+ leaks per week instead of symbolic gestures.

Tom's Hardware

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 42% chance that European soil moisture will be below the reference period for at least three out of the four years between 2022 and 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.