Climate activists take on a new foe: Data centers
Climate activists are increasingly mobilizing against data center development nationwide, citing concerns over high energy and water usage that threaten climate goals. The movement, now broader than previous climate efforts, has seen successes like Seattle's unanimous vote to enact a moratorium on new large data centers. Opponents have reportedly blocked or delayed dozens of facilities across the country.
Climate activists are shifting their focus to combating the rapid expansion of AI data centers, citing concerns over their significant energy and water consumption, which threatens to derail climate progress. Saul Levin, former director of campaigns and politics for the Green New Deal Network, is now leading grassroots efforts, organizing 350 members across 40 states and launching a podcast, "The Hum," to highlight local opposition stories. Other groups like the Sunrise Movement are mobilizing against data centers in cities such as Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh, and Lansing, Michigan.
A report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory projects data centers could account for one-third of U.S. electricity demand growth by 2030, largely driven by natural gas. A letter sent to Congress, signed by over 500 environmental and climate justice groups including Greenpeace USA and Food and Water Watch, called for a nationwide moratorium on hyperscale data center construction. However, some larger environmental organizations like the Sierra Club, while advocating for higher environmental standards and clean energy investment, have not joined the call for a moratorium, possibly aligning with Democratic politicians friendly to data center development, such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Seattle recently passed a unanimous moratorium on new large data centers after a local climate activist group, 350 Seattle, and others rallied against projects that could require one-third of the city's typical daily power. This makes Seattle the largest U.S. city to suspend approvals. Activists in Washington state also warn that power-hungry AI data centers threaten the state's ambitious climate goals, potentially adding 13.5 million metric tons of CO2 annually.
The anti-data center movement is notable for its bipartisan appeal, with polling indicating strong opposition across the political spectrum. In the first quarter of this year alone, data center opponents have blocked or delayed at least 75 facilities worth nearly $130 billion, demonstrating the effectiveness of community-level engagement in local politics.