Brid Smith, an Irish MP, advocates against the unsustainable energy demands of data centers. Aurora Gomez Delgado, an organizer from Spain, shines a light on the severe water crisis fueled by tech industry needs. Sebastian Leuede from King’s College London discusses opposition in Chile where communities resist Google’s water usage proposal. They explore the environmental costs of these facilities and question the trade-offs communities are expected to accept as tech giants expand, challenging the perceived benefits of the 'cloud'.
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Quick takeaways
Hyperscale data centers are facing opposition from communities due to their excessive water and energy demands, raising environmental concerns.
Grassroots activism, like that seen in Cerrillos, Chile, showcases how local organizing can effectively challenge corporate infrastructure projects and advocate for resource equity.
Deep dives
The Call for a Pause on AI Development
A significant movement emerged advocating for a six-month halt on the training of advanced generative AI models, gaining backing from influential tech figures, including Elon Musk. However, some support appears to be insincere, as Musk recently launched a competing AI company, XAI, wanting time for it to develop and catch up. This dual approach raises questions about the motivations behind the push for the industry-wide pause, as Musk sought to bolster his company by seemingly advocating for a cause that would benefit all. The situation exemplifies the intense competition in the tech industry, where co-opting altruistic narratives can serve personal interests.
Environmental Concerns of Data Centers
The establishment of XAI's data center in South Memphis has ignited concerns among residents about the environmental impacts on already affected communities. These areas, facing higher rates of air pollution and health issues, are ill-equipped to handle the demands of a facility that runs on extensive energy and resources. The plans for building new infrastructure like a gray water treatment plant remain unfulfilled, raising distrust regarding the company's commitments. With the looming electricity demands of the data center, residents fear they may lose access to already strained power resources.
Global Backlash Against Hyperscale Data Centers
A growing backlash against large-scale data centers is echoing worldwide as communities begin to fight back against tech companies imposing their infrastructures. Data centers contribute to significant local environmental strain, consuming vast amounts of electricity and water, leading to public discontent in areas like Ireland that are already stressed by high energy demands. Certain legislative efforts have emerged, such as a proposed bill in Ireland aimed at halting new data center projects, reflecting a rising awareness of these issues among citizens and lawmakers alike. This collective opposition indicates a mounting desire for a reevaluation of how tech infrastructures interact with local communities.
Activism Against Inequitable Resource Allocation
Communities such as Cerrillos in Chile have successfully organized against Google's plans for a new data center, highlighting the disproportionate impacts these projects have on local resources like water. Grassroots activists studied environmental reports, revealing that proposed water usage in drought-prone areas threatened their access to essential supplies. Their protest included public campaigns that built awareness and fostered dissent, leading to a community referendum where a significant portion voted against the project. This case exemplifies how grassroots activism can challenge corporate plans and encourage more equitable resource management, potentially inspiring similar movements globally.
As hyperscale data centers move into communities, they come with significant water and energy demands that some are not willing to put up with. We go to Ireland, Spain, and Chile to learn about the effects of data centers on the ground and why some communities are fighting back. They’re asking whether the tradeoffs they’re being expected to make are really necessary. This is episode 2 of Data Vampires, a special four-part series from Tech Won’t Save Us.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.
The show is hosted by Paris Marx. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.
Also mentioned in this episode:
People Before Profit TD Brid Smith, Tu Nube Seca Mi Río organizer Aurora Gomez Delgado, and King’s College London lecturer Sebastian Lehuede were interviewed for this episode.