A Brief Overview of the Ecological Impacts of the Metaverse

Nowadays, it has become impossible not to have heard about the metaverse, whether through movies like "Ready Player One" or Facebook constantly talking about a new futuristic world with its Meta project. However, even if we have a vague understanding of what the metaverse is, many people, including myself, have no idea about the impacts of this "new virtual world" on the environment, despite ecology being one of the most pressing issues in the coming years. Therefore, I have tried to gather as much information as possible about the environmental impacts of the metaverse, and in this blog, I will provide you with a summary of what I have found.

Because I am generally optimistic, I will start by discussing the benefits of the metaverse in combating climate change. One of the most obvious positive aspects is the reduction in physical travel. According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), transportation accounts for approximately 25% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, making it the second-largest emitter of CO2 in the world. By using the metaverse for remote work, learning, and socialization, it is estimated that CO2 emissions could be significantly reduced. To give you an idea of the impact of this dematerialization, a study conducted by the University of California estimated that if 10% of American employees worked remotely one day a week using virtual reality technologies, it could prevent the emission of nearly 54 million tons of CO2 per year.

Furthermore, the virtualization of the economy through the metaverse can have a positive impact on the environment. For example, a study by the consulting firm GreenBiz showed that online shopping consumes an average of 30% less energy compared to physical retail. By virtualizing stores and services, we could reduce the demand for physical infrastructure, energy, and natural resources needed for traditional commerce.

Moreover, the metaverse also holds scientific value as it offers unique opportunities for scenario modeling and ecological research. For instance, scientists can create virtual environments to study the effects of climate change. Using virtual reality, researchers can simulate future climate conditions and assess potential impacts on ecosystems.

These models enable informed decision-making and the design of more effective policies.

However, it is undeniable that the metaverse also presents an incredible amount of negative points. The main disadvantage of the metaverse is the immense energy consumption it requires. According to an analysis by the International Data Corporation (IDC), global data centers consumed approximately 205 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2020, accounting for about 1% of the world's electricity consumption. With the projected growth of the metaverse, the demand for massive data centers is expected to increase, leading to even greater energy consumption. Therefore, it is essential to develop data centers powered by renewable energy sources and adopt energy-efficient practices to reduce the environmental impact of this virtual world.

One aspect that tends to be overlooked when discussing the ecological impact of the metaverse is the production of electronic waste. According to a report by the United Nations (UN), the amount of electronic waste generated worldwide reached approximately 53.6 million tons in 2019, with an estimated annual growth of 21% by 2030. With the development of the metaverse, the demand for computer hardware and virtual reality devices will increase, contributing to the production of electronic waste, which we currently struggle to manage and recycle effectively.

This drawback also has implications for natural resources. The manufacturing of devices necessary to access the metaverse, such as virtual reality headsets, requires the extraction of minerals and precious metals. For example, electronic device batteries contain minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, the extraction of which can have adverse environmental and social consequences.

I hope this blog has provided you with an understanding of the various impacts the metaverse can have on ecology. My goal is for it to help you develop a critical mindset to navigate through the abundance of information and advertising surrounding us.

Yanis Tiraoui