microsoft.comWebsiteTechnology & Ethics
Microsoft's corporate sustainability hub, covering its carbon-negative, water-positive and zero-waste commitments, annual environmental sustainability reports, and progress data — relevant context for the footprint of AI data centers.
#sustainability#data-centers#environment
microsoft.comAdded Sep 27, 20260 opens
gadgetreview.comArticleTechnology & Ethics
News article reporting projections that AI data centers could consume around one trillion liters of water annually by 2028, covering cooling demand and the environmental impact of the AI buildout.
#data-centers#water-use#environment
gadgetreview.comAdded Sep 27, 20260 opens
pewresearch.orgReportTechnology & Ethics
Pew Research Center survey of 10,548 U.S. adults finds growing concern about data centers' environmental impact, home energy costs and quality of life, with majorities now saying they are mostly bad for the environment.
Why I recommend it: Pew Research Center short read published 22 September 2026, survey fielded 20 July–9 August 2026. 54% of Americans say data centers are mostly bad for the environment (up from 39% in January), 50% say mostly bad for home energy costs, 49% say mostly bad for nearby quality of life. Views on local tax revenue and jobs are mixed. 12% had not heard of data centers at all.
#AI infrastructure#data centers#energy
pewresearch.orgAdded Sep 22, 20260 opens
theguardian.comArticleTechnology & Ethics
Reporting on a community campaign against a data center's water and energy use during a drought.
Why I recommend it: The clearest single story on what a data center costs the place it lands in.
#ai#ai ethics#data-centers
theguardian.comAdded Sep 16, 20260 opens
nmelc.orgOrganizationTechnology & Ethics
A border-community legal challenge to a large AI data center project, with filings and updates.
Why I recommend it: Shows what organized local opposition to a data center actually looks like on paper.
#accountability#ai#ai ethics
nmelc.orgAdded Sep 16, 20260 opens
journals.sagepub.comArticleTechnology & Ethics
Peer-reviewed article by Dustin Edwards, Zane Griffin Talley Cooper, and Mel Hogan tracing how the data center became a central object of internet scholarship, and mapping the field of Critical Data Center Studies.
Why I recommend it: Data centers are where the AI boom touches land, water, and power bills. Read this before you argue about AI infrastructure.
#ai#ai ethics#ai-ethics
journals.sagepub.comAdded Sep 4, 20260 opens
Brockovich Data Center ReportingData Center WatchTechnology & Ethics
Community awareness project mapping U.S. AI data centers and the local issues they create.
In plain terms: This interactive map tracks major AI data center projects and proposals across the United States. You can explore the local environmental impacts of these facilities and submit reports about issues in your area.
From the site: Interactive map of major AI data centers across the United States — built, being built, proposed and cancelled. Understand the community impact and report issues in your area.
Why I recommend it: Check the map for your area before a data center becomes news in your town.
#advocacy#ai ethics#community
Brockovich Data Center ReportingAdded Aug 28, 20260 opens