Almost 7,000 people have now signed a petition against a Microsoft datacentre in Leeds.
The petition states that ‘This proposed megasite, which has already been given conditional planning approval, would consist of giant warehouses full of tens of thousands of AI computer chips running constantlyto power Microsoft’s AI systems.
There is overwhelming evidence that this site would pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of local residents, and the surrounding environment.’
The petition also argues that, ‘Cooling the chips would require thousands of litres of water every time the outside temperatures rise above 29 degrees – which will happen increasingly often as the climate crisis accelerates, particularly as datacentres contribute to the climate crisis.’
‘Fatally flawed’
The Guardian newspaper today reported that the UK will not have enough water for future datacentres, quoting a Water UK briefing report which described Government targets as being ‘fatally flawed’ for: assuming that business water demand will fall; for a lack of understanding that water companies are being required to plan on the basis of demand and leakage targets not forecasts; misjudgements about the balance of risk and infrastructure needs and a lack of information on data centre water use.
The briefing was stark in its analysis when it noted, ‘Current estimates suggest that data centres’ water use globally is likely to more than double by 2050 from 2025 levels.’
Furthermore, the briefing highlighted that, ‘Data centres currently use approximately 6.6 million litres of water per day. It is equivalent to the water used by 20,000 average homes. With the government’s ambition to treble data centre capacity by 2030, this could increase to 19.8 million litres, equivalent to 60,000 homes.’
Lianne Marie Mease, lead representative of the No Leeds Datacentres campaign said,
“A development which proposes such significant impacts to Leeds and the surrounding areas should have a proportional approach to community consultation. Putting up developer signs outside a power station which has been decommissioned since 1994 simply isn’t good enough.”
The campaign group is concerned that the planning decision reflects insufficient scrutiny of the project’s impacts on
– water and power consumption
– noise, light and air pollution
– disposal of foul water and waste heat
– surveillance and security changes
– climate change.
Communities are being drowned out
Owen Espley, Campaign Manager at Global Action Plan commented:
“The UK Government is letting Big Tech build more and more of its resource-hungry data centres up and down the country, contradicting community wishes and putting local people at risk of power cuts and droughts.”
He continued, “Communities are fighting to have their concerns about AI data centres heard but are being drowned out by Big Tech lobbyists who hold the ear of government.
The government must act urgently to put the brakes on AI data centre expansion by joining a growing number of global cities in declaring a moratorium on new AI data centres until ministers can produce a credible plan for how many we need, where and what for, and how environmental and social harm will be addressed.”
Climate Thoughts with Brian 