I don't think your second statement logically follows though, because environmentally damaging costs are not all equal.
As a thought experiment, being able to extract a bunch of X mineral from a 500 mile deep quarry might be both extremely expensive and extremely environmentally damaging in that localised area, but if the mineral can be used to generate a bunch of clean energy or capture carbon or whatever, then in net it can work.
Why is this software using so much energy and by implication having a negative impact on the environment?
Why do we have to pollute so much to produce energy?
Because sadly in 2023 governments do what makes them popular, instead of just doing what is right.
> Why is this software using so much energy and by implication having a negative impact on the environment?
Because if the problem isn't being solved we have to work round it. That AI puts people out of work is a double whammy.
Notice how they always complain but never actually suggest solutions, like setting up more modern nuclear power plants or funding fusion R&D.
No, they are just looking to sell doom and clicks so to them solving the problem would actually put them out of work.