The Growing Grassroots Backlash Against Data Center Expansion in America
By
@InTheseTimesMag
Summary
A growing grassroots movement is pushing back against the rapid expansion of data centers across the United States. These facilities consume enormous amounts of energy and water — with hyperscale centers using up to 5 million gallons of water daily — yet the tech industry continues to build more, with at least 3,000 new data centers under construction or planned. The opposition is remarkably diverse, bringing together Indigenous activists, anarchists, union organizers, and even disgruntled Trumpists who find common cause in resisting data center construction on environmental, land-use, and community grounds.
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Key quotes
· 3 pulledBetween 4,000 and 5,000 data centers are actively humming in the U.S. right now, draining energy and, in the case of some of the hyperscale ones, consuming as much as 5 million gallons of water per day.
At least 3,000 more data centers are under construction or planned, prompting a diverse grassroots mobilization against their construction.
Indigenous people are resisting continued attempts to exploit their land, air, and water.
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