AI Data Centers are Straining Local Water Supplies: Picture books to introduce children to Water Rights
Behind every chatbot, image generator, and large language model are massive data centers that require enormous amounts of water to keep their servers cool. Data centers consume an average of 300,000 to 5 million gallons of water daily, depending on size and cooling method. A medium-sized facility uses about 100 million gallons annually, while large hyperscale cloud campuses can reach 1 to 5 million gallons per day, equating to the daily usage of a town of 10,000 to 50,000 residents.
In many communities, especially those already experiencing drought or water scarcity, data centers are straining and disrupting local water supplies. (Not to mention the noise and air pollution they cause, and the enormous amount of electricity they need causing local utility bills to also increase, i.e. We are paying for data centers!)
Water is more than a resource. It is a human right. Yet around the world, millions of people still lack reliable access to clean drinking water, while others are fighting to protect rivers, lakes, and groundwater from pollution, overuse, and development of data centers and other building projects.
Read the following picture books for an age-appropriate way to help children understand why water matters and why people around the world are working to protect it. Through stories of Indigenous water protectors, young activists, families advocating for their communities, and children standing up for clean water, young readers can begin to explore concepts like environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and water rights.
The books below remind us that every generation has a role to play in caring for our planet, and that protecting water means protecting one another.
Petitions Against Data Centers
Petition for all 50 states to pause the construction of any new AI data centers
No Data Centers in City of Industry
Protect the Nashville Zoo from Data Centers
Picture books to introduce children to Water Rights
Find the Full Book List on Amazon | Bookshop, or click on the individual titles listed below:
Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom | The true story of Indigenous water protectors Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt Josephine Mandamin, whose courage and advocacy have helped protect clean water for future generations. Celebrates Indigenous stewardship, environmental justice, and the power of young voices to create lasting change.
The Sacred Stone Camp by Rae Rose | Follows a young girl as she joins her family and fellow water protectors in standing against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Centering Indigenous leadership, courage, and community, it celebrates the movement to protect sacred land and clean water for future generations.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom | A powerful call to protect the Earth's water, inspired by Indigenous-led environmental movements. Follows a young water protector who stands up to defend clean water, honoring Indigenous knowledge, courage, and the responsibility to care for the planet.
The Stolen River by Anoopreet Kaur Rehncy | Inspired by the largest protest in human history, this powerful picture book follows a young Sikh girl and her grandfather as they join a peaceful movement to fight for water rights and protect their community's future. Reminds children that they are never too young to stand up for what is right.
Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco | Follows Nibi, a determined Indigenous girl who sets out to bring clean drinking water to her community after discovering the water from her tap is unsafe. Inspires young readers to believe they can make a difference in protecting one of Earth's most precious resources.
The Water Princess by Susan Verde | Inspired by the childhood of supermodel and humanitarian Georgie Badiel, this heartfelt picture book follows a young girl who dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village.
I hope this book list is useful! Please consider subscribing for more bookish content.
Here’s to raising our young readers and future leaders,
Maya
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This is a wonderful resource. Thank you.
THANK YOU so much for this list. I have been wanting to tell children I know about how much AI data centers are eating up our water, because I know their peers are using AI and therefore they will want to use it too. (We remember too what it was like when all of our peers were doing something and we didn't understand why the adults found it so annoying - whatever it was.)
Would love if any of these books came with a craft to talk more about AI data centers & water usage specifically!!