Data Center Backlash Leaves Climate Concerns in the Background

At Climate Week, Extinction Rebellion protests against data centers interrupted a panel featuring Crusoe and Emerald AI. According to BloombergNEF, data centers will account for over 5% of global electricity demand by 2035, mostly met by natural gas plants, potentially raising power sector emissions by 6%.

• Data centers will exceed 5% of global electricity demand by 2035
• Power sector emissions could rise 6% in under 10 years
• 99 proposed on-site gas plants could raise US emissions by 20–33%
• Polls: climate ranks last among data center environmental concerns for voters