'Stop dirty datacenters': Europe-wide protests planned demanding building moratorium
Curbing compute farms played a big part in recent US elections, now Euro activists are making their feelings known
Campaigners across Europe are set to launch a two-day protest campaign against the rapid expansion of datacenters on November 6 and 7. Over 100 groups in 15 countries will demand an immediate moratorium on new large-scale developments. The protests will include demonstrations, public meetings, petitions, creative actions, and more.
Organizers have created a website with an interactive map of events. In the UK, a photocall is planned at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in London, and a community day of action in London's Brick Lane is scheduled for the following day. A family event is also set for St. Michael's & All Angels Church in Devon. The protests come in the wake of the US midterm elections, where datacenter-related restrictions were a key campaign issue.
Critics argue that governments and tech giants are rushing ahead with construction without proper scrutiny of the environmental, social, and economic impacts. A recent report highlights that datacenter developers dominated meetings with UK ministers, while environmental groups were excluded. Campaigners are calling for a moratorium until clear frameworks are established to determine whether new facilities are needed and under what conditions, with meaningful public participation.
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