By JANCELLE ILANO
www.nordis.net
Following Super Typhoon Uwan, a wave of AI-generated videos has appeared, depicting Sierra Madre as a lone guardian defending against a destructive, villainized storm. Initially, netizens saw it as a good way to raise awareness of how Luzon’s longest mountain range helps protect the land and its residents.
But beneath this digital warning lies an invisible cost — the water used by data centers powering the AI that generated it, and the overhyped buzz that has turned it into an online punchline.
Although AI-generated environmental and disaster content can successfully increase awareness, it hides the fact that the sensationalism, water use, and energy footprint contradict the real message they aim to deliver. The irony and environmental hypocrisy are evident; that’s why creators must recognize these trade-offs to prevent moral and green dilemmas.
Various studies show that large volumes of water are used to cool the massive processing infrastructure required for generative AI, particularly in video. By 2027, AI-driven water withdrawals could reach billions of cubic meters worldwide.
This threat becomes a hidden water competitor to humans in the fight over access to and sustainability of water. So now is the time for content creators to consider the trade-off of using AI to “save nature” and “monetization” while depending on water-intensive infrastructure.
Furthermore, while these circulating videos encourage people to take care of nature, echoed in the line “po-protektahan ko kayo, basta iingatan niyo rin ako”, reel-makers must ensure that the message isn’t counterproductive if the process of making those posts has negative environmental effects.
Also, as viewers increasingly become captivated by AI-generated footage of Typhoon Uwan versus the Sierra Madre, the narrative is slowly slipping into sensationalism, drowning out the critical issues of the environment and disaster preparedness in entertainment alone.
Some might argue that millions of netizens instantly access AI visual content, making its environmental cost “worth it”. But why not choose human-made art instead? Efficiency and awareness are not mutually exclusive because people have options. In this case, creating art by humans, not robots, reduces harm to nature while preserving creativity.
Undoubtedly, the battle to protect Sierra Madre is crucial, as it safeguards the lives of Filipinos when typhoons like Tropical Cyclone Uwan strike. But generating AI content not only consumes people’s resources but also risks turning environmental lessons into a laughingstock.
Keep in mind that true environmental activism must embody sustainability in both its message and its approach. After all, as the popular saying warns, “the end doesn’t justify the means.”#nordis.net
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed do not reflect the views or positions of Nordis. They are published to encourage open dialogue and diverse perspectives. Nordis reserves the right to edit for clarity and length, but the opinions remain solely those of the author.
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