By Dawn Lewis
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is swiftly being integrated into our lives. And, that incursion is happening quickly. Everything from our social media accounts to our appliances to our decision-making is shaped by AI in today’s world. AI and its impact on our lives and livelihoods are definitely a topic for discussion, but there is also the issue that AI usage requires extensive networks of data centers, which for them to function requires massive amounts of energy as well as lots of water and large land tracts.
Around the country, community members are growing increasingly concerned about the impact of data centers on their community and their lives. Larger data centers can require 100 megawatts daily (enough to power 100,000 homes). With much of the country impacted by drought, high water usage in areas already suffering low water supply is an issue. Land use and the accompanying environmental degradation are also of huge concern. In addition to the strain on water and electricity sources, these structures usually require new transmission lines, substations, and more. They also generate high levels of heat and noise. All of these factors can be detrimental to local communities.
The centers require money to support this infrastructure, and this funding is often rolled into utility rates and ultimately subsidized by tax-payers. Additionally, many of these centers are being built in neighborhoods of marginalized communities where health and economic concerns are already straining residents.
Data centers currently consume over 4% of our energy use and the U.S. Department of Energy says that U.S. data center demand is expected to double by 2027. Because the primary source of energy in this country is fossil fuels, this growth will be a huge factor against creation-care efforts to reduce emissions.
As United Methodists, we are called to protect and preserve creation and to love and care for our neighbors. As cited in the Book of Discipline, which “affirms our sacred calling to be responsible stewards and to lovingly tend all that God has wrought,” it is important for us to be aware of and concerned about the high financial, environmental, and societal costs of data centers. Learning more about them and supporting communities that bear the impacts should be an integral part of our work to be good neighbors and good stewards of creation.
Several United Methodist conferences are proposing related resolutions in their upcoming sessions:
- Virginia resolution: Safeguarding Creation and Community from Unsustainable Data Center Growth; See also this article about the public letter submitted by the Virginia Bishop
- North Carolina resolution: Urging Churches/Congregants to Minimize Generative AI Use and Call for Limitations on Unsustainable Data Centers
- Horizon Texas resolution: Safeguarding Creation and Community from Unsustainable Data Center Growth
To learn more about where these data centers are located and to see if there are any that are in various planning stages in your neighborhood or community, you can find them on this data center map, created by consumer advocate and environmental activist, Erin Brockovich.
Dawn Lewis, a long time Creation care advocate, founded the Green Team at her church and has worked to support other green teams. She is a commissioned Earthkeeper and part of the Western Carolina Annual Conference. She is also one of the hosts for the monthly UM Creation Justice Movement Café.