Wednesday briefing: What’s behind the global backlash against datacentres?
In today’s newsletter: Communities from Scotland to India are pushing back against datacentres, warning they threaten energy supplies and the climate Good morning. This summer, datacentres have become targets of resistance across the world. Ever since the arrival of ChatGPT, big tech has been lobbying for the creation of enormous new facilities. Many governments claim they’re essential in any…
In recent weeks, datacentres have become a focal point for global resistance, with communities in Scotland, India, and beyond voicing concerns over their impact on energy supplies and the climate. As ChatGPT's popularity soared, big tech companies pushed for the construction of massive new facilities, with governments touting them as essential for any nation seeking to capitalize on artificial intelligence. However, critics warn that datacentres are draining resources and contributing to the climate crisis.
The Scottish National Party has even backed a moratorium on new developments, joining environmental groups in opposing the expansion. The rapid growth of the datacentre industry has been substantial, but so too has been the backlash against these facilities. This newsletter delves into the reasons behind the global opposition to datacentres.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Technology's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
