Why We Need AI Data Center Moratoriums Now: A Global Warming and Environmental Justice Perspective

The AI boom is fueling a massive expansion of data centers—and an equally dramatic increase in electricity demand. Where will all that new power come from? This first post in our three-part series looks at why the answer matters for the climate, including the risk that new data centers could prolong our reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels, increase CO₂ emissions, and strain an already challenged electrical grid. It also looks at why communities and climate advocates are calling for stronger safeguards—and a better path forward.