EASC 201 Exam 2 part2

What is a data center?

A facility that houses computer servers, networking equipment, and storage systems used to process, store, and distribute digital information.

What is the primary purpose of a data center?

To store, manage, and process digital data and support online services such as cloud computing, websites, streaming, and AI systems.

How do data centers relate to AI?

AI systems require large amounts of computing power, data storage, and processing, which are provided by data centers.

Why does AI increase demand for data centers?

Training and running AI models requires enormous computational power, electricity, cooling, and infrastructure.

Why do data centers use so much energy?

They power servers, networking equipment, storage systems, backup systems, and cooling technologies 24/7.

Why do data centers use water?

Some use water directly for cooling, and they also use electricity that may require water during generation.

What is direct water use by data centers?

Water used onsite for cooling equipment or regulating indoor temperatures.

What is indirect water use by data centers?

Water used to generate the electricity that powers the data center.

What are the environmental impacts of data centers?

High electricity demand, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, land use, heat generation, and infrastructure expansion.

Why are data centers considered an emerging environmental issue?

They are growing rapidly and create new challenges involving energy demand, freshwater use, land development, and climate impacts.

What are potential benefits of data centers?

Economic development, jobs, tax revenue, digital infrastructure, and support for AI and cloud services.

What are potential environmental concerns of data centers?

High electricity demand, increased pressure on power grids, freshwater demand, emissions from fossil-fuel-powered electricity, and land conversion.

How can data centers become more sustainable?

Using renewable energy, improving efficiency, recycling heat, reducing water use, and choosing low-impact cooling systems.

What is public opinion data?

Information collected from surveys, polls, or questionnaires about what people think, believe, or prefer.

Why is survey data useful for evaluating data centers?

It helps show how the public views benefits, risks, tradeoffs, and policy choices related to development.

How should survey data be critically evaluated?

Check sample size, who was surveyed, wording of questions, possible bias, timing, funding source, and whether results are representative.

Why does survey wording matter?

Leading or emotionally loaded wording can influence how respondents answer and distort results.

Why does sample size matter in surveys?

Larger, well-designed samples are generally more reliable and representative than very small samples.

Why does representativeness matter in surveys?

A survey is more useful if the people surveyed reflect the larger population being studied.

What is response bias?

A type of bias that occurs when survey participants answer in a way that does not accurately reflect their true opinions.

How can media or advocacy groups affect public understanding of data centers?

They may frame the issue selectively, emphasize certain impacts, or present information with bias.

Why is it important to integrate social and natural science data?

Environmental issues involve both physical systems and human behavior, so both kinds of data are needed for better decisions.

What is natural science data?

Data about physical and biological systems, such as water use, energy demand, emissions, temperature, and ecosystem impacts.

What is social science data?

Data about people and society, such as opinions, policy preferences, economics, demographics, and behavior.

Why are both natural and social sciences needed for environmental problem solving?

Natural science explains what is happening physically, while social science helps explain how people respond and what solutions are realistic.

What is a reliable source?

A source that is credible, evidence-based, transparent, and often peer-reviewed or produced by a reputable organization.

What are signs of a strong source?

Clear evidence, citations, qualified authors, recent publication date, transparency, and minimal bias.

What is a primary source?

An original source of information, such as raw data, a survey, or a research article.

Why should multiple sources be compared?

Comparing sources helps identify bias, verify claims, and build a more accurate understanding.

Why is Virginia a useful case study for this course?

It connects energy, freshwater, data centers, AI, policy, and environmental tradeoffs in a rapidly changing state.