The Data Center Backlash Should Also Be a Climate Reckoning. It Isn’t Yet

Extinction Rebellion NYC protesters disrupted a Climate Week panel on AI and data centers, shouting that fracked-gas power is a lie and interrupting speakers for ten minutes. Data center leaders Cully Cavness of Crusoe and Varun Sivaram of Emerald AI defended the sector, claiming data centers can act as “good citizens,” lower grid bills, and bring clean energy online. Public opinion on data centers remains low, with moratoriums emerging in both parties’ states and local concerns—water use, energy bills, air and noise pollution—ranking higher than climate impact in voter surveys.