As the Green New Deal Network officially dissolved on December 31, 2025, climate activists are redirecting their efforts towards a new adversary: data centers. The coalition, which united climate, labor, and social justice organizations, succumbed to a shifting political landscape that saw the reelection of President Donald Trump and an increased focus on issues like cost of living.
Saul Levin, former director of campaigns and politics for the coalition, is now leading the charge against AI data centers, which are proliferating across the U.S. These facilities, essential for processing digital information, raise significant concerns regarding water usage and energy consumption. Levin has organized a Signal chat that has attracted 350 members from 40 states, fostering collaboration among activists.
Growing Concerns Over Data Center Impact
Many climate advocates are alarmed by the environmental implications of these hyperscale data centers. A report from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory indicates that data centers could account for approximately one-third of the growth in U.S. electricity demand between 2024 and 2030. The energy consumption of a typical AI data center is equivalent to that of 100,000 households, with some of the largest facilities projected to use up to 20 times that amount.
“The climate movement is increasingly realizing that this is a fight that’s both an important fight and a strategic fight,” said Evan Sutton, an anti-AI advocate. The potential carbon emissions from these centers could negate significant progress made towards clean energy, according to activist Aru Shiney-Ajay from the Sunrise Movement.
Activist Mobilization Against AI Data Centers
The Sunrise Movement, known for its role in promoting the Green New Deal, has also pivoted to oppose data centers. Local hubs in cities like Dallas, Denver, and Pittsburgh are mobilizing efforts to halt construction projects. Shiney-Ajay emphasized the urgency of addressing the environmental impact of these facilities, stating, “If we don’t really seriously start to pass policy that mitigates that, then they could be a disaster for our climate.”
In a significant show of unity, over 500 organizations have signed a letter to Congress demanding a nationwide moratorium on the construction of new data centers. This coalition includes groups like Greenpeace USA and Food and Water Watch, although notable environmental organizations like the Sierra Club have not endorsed the letter.
Future of Data Centers and Renewable Energy
While some organizations advocate for renewable energy to power data centers, critics argue this does not alleviate the fundamental issues. Jeremy Fisher from the Sierra Club pointed out that Big Tech companies should be held accountable for their environmental impact. “Data centers can and should be powered with renewable energy that does not threaten our environment and our health,” he stated.
Thomas Meyer, from Food and Water Watch, cautioned against assuming that renewable energy solves the problem. He cited competition for resources, such as Amazon's bidding for a solar farm, as detrimental to the availability of clean energy for other community needs. “What about the things that that solar power would have gone to power instead?” Meyer asked.
- Data centers could account for one-third of the growth in U.S. electricity demand by 2030.
- A typical AI data center uses as much electricity as 100,000 households.
- Some large data centers may consume up to 20 times that amount.
- Over 500 organizations have called for a nationwide moratorium on new data centers.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Grist. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
