Tech Won't Save Us Data Vampires: Opposing Data Centers (Episode 2)
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Oct 14, 2024 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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XAI's Memphis Data Center
- Elon Musk's XAI built a data center in Memphis, TN, impacting vulnerable communities.
- The project bypassed public input, raising concerns about electricity access and pollution.
Data Centers' Environmental Impact
- Data centers contribute significantly to global emissions, similar to air travel.
- This impact is often overlooked, despite growing energy demands and localized environmental effects.
Ireland's Data Center Energy Crisis
- Data centers in Ireland consume a disproportionate share of the national electricity grid.
- This high energy demand, driven by hyperscale facilities, threatens public access to power and hinders the country's climate goals.