Ronan Kelly, the head of Digital Infrastructure Ireland, has publicly criticized novelist Sally Rooney for her opposition to the construction of new data centres. Rooney previously argued that these facilities represent a wasteful use of electricity. Kelly countered by accusing the author of hypocrisy, claiming that her preference for physical book publishing generates significantly higher carbon emissions than digital alternatives. He estimated that her total book sales resulted in approximately 15,000 tonnes of emissions, suggesting this figure would be much lower if she relied solely on e-books. Conversely, climate expert Paul Deane noted that such comparisons are complex, as they involve various factors including the lifecycle of e-readers and the specific carbon intensity of the Irish power grid. Rooney, who had formally objected to a proposed facility in County Mayo, did not provide a response to these allegations.
Source : The Journal
Photo : The Journal
