The fifth generation of wireless technology, or 5G, promises dramatically faster speeds and the capacity to connect billions of devices, fueling a global infrastructure build-out. This widespread deployment has generated considerable public discussion regarding its potential environmental consequences. The controversy centers on the impact of radiofrequency emissions on wildlife, the physical footprint of the new network, energy demands, and electronic waste. Examining the scientific evidence behind these claims is necessary to understand the ecological cost of this new digital standard.
Effects of Radiofrequency Emissions on Wildlife
A primary public concern surrounding 5G is the potential harm caused by its radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) to non-human species, particularly insects and birds. Unlike previous generations, 5G utilizes a wider range of the spectrum, combining existing sub-6 GHz frequencies with high-band millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies above 24 GHz. These shorter, higher-frequency waves are more easily absorbed by small organisms like insects, leading to a localized heating effect.
This energy absorption causes a rise in internal temperature, known as a thermal effect. A 2018 study indicated that insects exposed to higher frequencies could experience increases in absorbed power, with detrimental consequences for their behavior and health. However, the scientific consensus regarding large-scale population effects remains mixed, largely because many laboratory studies expose subjects to much higher power levels than those found around real-world 5G networks.
Beyond thermal effects, debate exists concerning potential non-thermal effects, which are biological changes that occur without a significant temperature increase. Some research suggests that RF-EMF exposure may alter cellular functions or navigation patterns in species that rely on electromagnetic cues, such as migratory birds and honeybees. For example, some studies suggest that electromagnetic fields can impair the navigational skills of bees.
The scientific community is still working to establish a causal link between the low-level, non-ionizing radiation emitted by 5G and widespread adverse ecological outcomes. Regulatory bodies emphasize that as long as exposure remains below established guidelines, no consequences are anticipated, but these guidelines were primarily developed to protect humans. 5G deployment uses many low-power transmitters, often employing beamforming technology to direct energy only where needed, differing from the wide-area broadcast of older cellular towers.
Physical Infrastructure and Land Use
The nature of 5G signals, particularly the high-band mmWave, necessitates a far denser network architecture than 4G, leading to a tangible physical impact on the environment. Higher frequencies travel shorter distances and are easily blocked by obstacles like buildings and trees, requiring the deployment of numerous small cell antennas. These smaller units must be placed in closer proximity, often every few hundred meters, on existing infrastructure like light poles and rooftops, or on newly constructed supports.
This network densification significantly increases the overall physical footprint of the wireless system. The construction process requires substantial amounts of raw materials, including steel and concrete for new poles and foundations, and a massive increase in fiber optic cabling to connect the small cells. The extraction, manufacturing, and transportation of these materials contribute to carbon emissions and environmental degradation at the source.
The need for new installation sites can also lead to localized habitat destruction and fragmentation, especially when the network expands into previously undeveloped or ecologically sensitive areas. The sheer volume of new small cell sites and the associated trenching for fiber optics increase the total area of land disturbed. This physical disruption can displace local plant and animal life, adding another layer to the environmental cost of the network upgrade.
Network Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions
While 5G technology is engineered to be significantly more energy efficient per unit of data transferred than its predecessor, the growth in data traffic it enables creates a complex energy paradox. A 5G network is designed to be up to ten to twenty times more energy efficient per gigabit of data transported compared to 4G once the technology reaches maturity. This improvement is achieved partly through advanced features like “graduated Sleep Modes.”
These intelligent sleep modes allow parts of the base station to be selectively powered down when there is no traffic, achieving an energy saving of up to 50% in certain components. However, this efficiency gain is often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data being transmitted and the required network densification. The deployment of many more small cells, along with the increased energy demand from data centers needed to process the flood of new data-intensive applications, drives the total power consumption upward.
Base stations already account for roughly 60% to 80% of a mobile network’s total energy use. The Information and Communication Technology industry is projected to account for a substantial percentage of global electricity consumption by 2030, and the operational energy required for 5G contributes directly to this trajectory. Mitigating this impact requires powering data centers and network equipment with renewable energy sources and constantly optimizing network management to maximize the use of power-saving features.
Managing Electronic Waste from 5G Deployment
The rapid rollout of 5G technology contributes to the world’s fastest-growing waste stream: electronic waste (e-waste). This surge in e-waste comes from two main sources: the decommissioning of older 4G equipment and the accelerated replacement cycle of consumer devices needed to access the new network. Components in 5G infrastructure and user devices have short lifespans, necessitating frequent hardware upgrades.
The small IT and telecommunication equipment category, which includes 5G-compatible devices like routers and mobile phones, contributes millions of tonnes to the global e-waste total annually. 5G hardware relies on numerous raw materials, including rare earth elements, which are essential for components like antennas and microchips. Extracting these elements often involves environmentally damaging mining and hazardous chemical processes.
Recycling these rare earth metals from electronic devices presents significant technical challenges because they are present in very low concentrations and have similar chemical properties, making separation difficult and energy-intensive. Only about 1% of the global demand for rare earth elements is met through recycling, meaning the vast majority of these materials end up in landfills or are improperly processed. The volume of obsolete 4G equipment being retired, combined with the new 5G infrastructure, creates a substantial lifecycle management problem.