AI data centers are growing fast and straining local grids and water supplies. This article from Time argues that instead of relying on fossil fuel backup, developers should spread data centers across new regions and power them with geothermal, solar, and other renewables. It points to examples like Google's geothermal project in Nevada and Ireland's mandate for 80% new renewable energy for data centers as models for cleaner buildout. The piece also covers construction choices like low-carbon concrete and waste heat reuse, citing projects in London and Norway that heat homes and fish farms. On the AI side, the author calls for smaller, more efficient models and transparency tools like energy counters in APIs. The core message is that data center growth does not have to mean rising emissions if regulators, developers, and users make deliberate choices around location, materials, and model efficiency.
