全球四分之一数据中心面临水资源压力：人工智能背后的环境挑战——英语时文阅读

一项全球研究分析9347座数据中心，揭示数字技术快速发展与水资源管理之间的关系

一、英文时文阅读：The Hidden Water Challenge Behind Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is becoming an important part of modern life. People use AI to search for information, translate languages, create images and solve complicated problems. However, behind these digital services are large facilities called data centers, which require enormous computing power to operate.

Data centers contain thousands of computer servers that process and store information. These machines produce heat while working, so cooling systems are necessary to maintain stable operating conditions. Some cooling technologies use water to remove heat, making water availability an important consideration when companies choose locations for new facilities.

A global study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology in September 2026 examined 9,347 data centers around the world. Researchers found that approximately 25 percent of these facilities were located in areas that experienced water shortages for at least one month each year under the historical conditions examined.

The research also suggested that the situation could become more challenging in a warmer climate. Under a future scenario involving three degrees Celsius of global warming compared with pre-industrial levels, the proportion of data centers exposed to water shortages could increase to approximately 33 percent.

Another important finding concerns the relationship between data centers and other water users. Around 41 percent of the facilities were located in areas where municipal water demand was the largest sectoral demand. Agriculture was the dominant water user near another 28 percent.

This does not mean that every data center directly causes a water shortage. The study examined the relationship between facility locations and regional water availability rather than measuring the actual water consumption of every individual facility.

Scientists believe that better planning will be necessary as digital infrastructure continues to expand. Companies may consider locations with more reliable water supplies, improve cooling technologies or reuse treated wastewater where appropriate.

The future of artificial intelligence will depend not only on faster computers and more advanced software but also on how responsibly society manages the natural resources needed to support them.

二、中文阅读理解：数字技术为什么需要水资源？

文章介绍了人工智能基础设施扩张过程中容易被忽视的问题：数据中心的水资源压力。

第一段介绍背景。人工智能服务需要大量计算能力，而计算任务主要由数据中心内的服务器完成。

第二段解释水资源与数据中心的关系。服务器运行会产生热量，部分冷却技术需要使用水，因此水资源供应情况会影响数据中心的选址和运行规划。

第三、第四段介绍研究数据。研究人员分析了全球9347座数据中心，发现约25%的设施位于每年至少出现一个月水资源供需缺口的地区。在未来升温情景下，这一比例可能达到33%。

第五段进一步比较不同用水部门。约41%的数据中心位于市政用水需求占主导的地区，另有约28%位于农业用水需求占主导的地区。

需要特别注意：研究衡量的是数据中心所在地面临的区域水资源压力，并不是认定这些数据中心都直接造成了当地缺水。

三、核心英语词汇

重点表达积累：

1. require enormous computing power：需要巨大的计算能力。
2. maintain stable operating conditions：维持稳定的运行条件。
3. be located in areas：位于某些地区。
4. water availability：水资源可获得性。
5. improve cooling technologies：改进冷却技术。

四、长难句语法解析

原句：

The research also suggested that the situation could become more challenging in a warmer climate.

句子主干：

The research suggested that…

研究表明……

语法结构：

• The research：主语，研究。
• suggested：谓语，表明、暗示。
• that：引导宾语从句。
• the situation：宾语从句的主语。
• could become：情态动词加系动词。
• more challenging：形容词比较级，表示更具挑战性。

重点知识：

suggest 在这里表示研究结果所表明的情况，而不是提出某项建议。

再看一个例句：

Scientists suggest that better planning is necessary.

科学家认为，更完善的规划是必要的。

通过比较两个句子，可以掌握 suggest 后接 that 宾语从句的常见用法。

五、阅读拓展：理解科技新闻中的数据与观点

科技新闻通常包含大量数字、研究结论和专业表达。阅读时需要区分三个层次：

第一层：研究对象。 了解文章讨论的是人工智能、数据中心还是水资源。

第二层：数据结论。 识别25%、33%和41%等关键数字，并理解它们分别代表什么。

第三层：结论边界。 区分研究发现、未来预测和已经得到证实的实际影响，避免将相关性直接理解为因果关系。

英语阅读能力的形成，需要词汇积累、语法分析与篇章理解相互配合。李校来了英语、李校来啦英语和李校英语训练系统，可以将科技时文阅读与重点词汇、长难句及语境理解结合起来。借助李校来了AI智能英语的系统化训练，逐步提高对不同领域英文材料的理解和分析能力。