From WIRED · Molly Taft · · 3m
Data centers spark climate fight, but not about climate
As communities fight data center expansion, the climate crisis barely features in the debate. The real threat is a massive fossil fuel buildout nobody is talking about.
In brief
As communities fight data center expansion, the climate crisis barely features in the debate. The real threat is a massive fossil fuel buildout nobody is talking about. Data center opposition is surging across the US, but voters and politicians focus on water and energy bills rather than emissions, even as the sector…
Protesters disrupt data center panel
At a Climate Week panel on AI and data centers, members of Extinction Rebellion NYC staged repeated interruptions, yelling about harms of AI as security removed them one by one.
“The idea that we can keep running on fracked gas is a lie!”
Tech executives defend data centers
Cully Cavness, cofounder and president of data center infrastructure company Crusoe, said protesters probably didn't live near data centers and didn't understand local tax benefits they bring.
Industry pitches grid transformation
Varun Sivaram from Emerald AI argued data centers could become good citizens by working on the grid to lower bills and bring more clean energy online.
Voters care about local issues first
Poll after poll shows climate ranks last among data center concerns for voters, behind water use, energy bills, and local air and noise pollution.
Climate investors downplay emissions
Even climate investors see the atmosphere as a backseat issue. A VoLo Earth cofounder told the Wall Street Journal that Climate Week is really about energy, not emissions.
“Climate Week could basically be 'AI and data center week.' It's all about energy.”
Michigan candidate opposes data centers
William Lawrence, running for Michigan's seventh congressional district and a Sunrise Movement founder, made data center opposition a cornerstone of his campaign after winning the Democratic primary.
Lawrence's platform omits climate
Lawrence released a platform saying data centers threaten air, water and quality of life, but makes no mention of climate change, reflecting voter priorities in his district.
Data centers to triple electricity demand
BloombergNEF projects data centers will comprise more than five percent of global electricity demand by twenty thirty-five, tripling current needs, mostly met by new natural gas plants.
Gas buildout raises power emissions
The data center-driven natural gas expansion could raise power sector emissions by six percent in less than ten years, according to BloombergNEF analysis.
On-site gas plants pose major threat
A separate BloombergNEF analysis of ninety-nine proposed on-site gas power plants found they could increase US power sector emissions by twenty to thirty-three percent if all are built.
Coal plants stay online longer
Declines in emissions from coal plant retirements will be more than offset by new gas emissions, and more coal plants are staying online thanks to data center demand.
Climate impact extends beyond locals
Even those not living near data centers will feel the impacts of added emissions from the fossil fuel buildout, making this a climate crisis everyone should care about.
The essence
Data center opposition is surging across the US, but voters and politicians focus on water and energy bills rather than emissions, even as the sector drives a major fossil fuel expansion.
