More than a hundred action groups from fifteen countries call for a halt to large data centre construction today and tomorrow
After the US midterm elections, where server farms were a point of contention, European citizens' groups are taking to the streets.
More than a hundred groups in fifteen European countries are taking coordinated action today and tomorrow against the rapid growth of data centres, The Register reports. They are calling for an immediate moratorium on new large-scale projects until there are clear rules on where and under what conditions such buildings may go up, with thorough scrutiny and genuine input from residents. Besides demonstrations, the programme includes public meetings, petitions, walks, bike rides and even poetry readings.
In France about a dozen actions are planned, including in Paris, Grenoble and Marseille, according to the French site Alloforfait. In the United Kingdom it starts with a photo call outside the energy ministry in London, followed on Saturday by a day of action in the area around Brick Lane, where a data centre is planned, The Register writes. The campaigners are worried about the impact on land, water, energy, housing and the cost of living, and argue that governments, the EU and the tech companies are moving too fast without examining the consequences for the environment and society.
The opposition follows the US midterm elections, where restrictions on AI server farms featured in the campaigns of both major parties. Omdia analyst Alan Howard told The Register that the industry took a heavy blow there. The British government, by contrast, wants more data centres and has already overturned refusals by local councils.