# Google Accused of Illegal Forest Clearing for Data Center

> Google faces accusations of illegally clearing 300 hectares of forest in Finland for two new data centers.
- Title: Google Accused of Illegal Forest Clearing for Data Center
- Summary: Google faces accusations of illegally clearing 300 hectares of forest in Finland for two new data centers. Google cleared over 300 hectares of Finnish forest…
- Keywords: google, finland, data center, forestry act, finnish nature conservation association, tuike finland oy, science, technology, Accused, Illegal, Forest, Clearing
- Source: Futurism — https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/google-accused-illegally-killing-forest-data-center
- Author: Victor Tangermann
- Published: 2026-10-02T19:50:42+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: google, finland, data center, forestry act, finnish nature conservation association, tuike finland oy, science, technology
## AI Race Intensifies
As the AI race reaches white-hot temperatures, big tech companies are building pollution-belching data centers.
## Google Clears Forest in Finland
Google cleared over 300 hectares, almost 500 football fields, for two new data centers in northern Finland.
## Environmental Assessments Pending
Despite ongoing environmental assessments, Google’s contractors began clearing trees months ago, raising alarms with the Finnish Nature Conservation Association.
## Finnish Conservation Association's Concern
The association’s chair, Hanna Halmeenpää, warned that local bird species and ecological connections may be impacted by the forest clearing.
## Google Claims Compliance
Google maintains its tree felling met the Forestry Act and completed extensive environmental evaluations.
## Finnish Regulators Request Suspension
The Finnish Nature Conservation Association asked regulators to suspend activities until environmental assessments conclude.
## Key takeaway

Google cleared over 300 hectares of Finnish forest without completing environmental assessments for two data centers.