(Comment I posted in a local citizens group in response to post expressing major opposition to data center proposed for our county.)
OK, I think that if we want to keep using data and search engines etc. as much as we do, it’s going to be hard to prevent stuff like this from happening. That said, some communities have launched lawsuits and may be having some success. Also, even if we don’t have success keeping out a data center, these things have absolutely huge roofs and there is no reason on earth why they can’t be collecting their own rainwater for use in their operations. It would help offset flooding caused by the new construction as well.
Screenshot from NAACP newsletter for your reference. Regarding lawsuits that some communities have launched against data centers for reasons of harm to ecosystems and communities.
PS. Another way to prevent things we don’t want from being built is to reduce the demand such that the business would no longer find it profitable. That could be quite a challenge in this case but not impossible. Every single drop adds up to the ocean.
See this comment here with photos on my DEEP GREEN Facebook page.
PS. One of my favorite examples of making use of a very large factory roof was some thing I read in the book cradle to cradle by McDonough. They made it into sort of a park garden for employees. I also think they were collecting rainwater off of it. We really need to stop regarding the existence of roofs as a rainwater collection service. We kind of look foolish if not outright suicidal by continuing to ignore this.