Protesters disrupt Climate Week AI panel, warning data centers fuel fossil-gas expansion

During a post-lunch Climate Week panel on AI and data centers, Extinction Rebellion NYC members repeatedly rose to protest, claiming the sector’s reliance on fracked gas is false. Security escorted the demonstrators out, but the episode highlighted mounting public opposition as moratoriums emerge in several states. Panelists including Cully Cavness, co-founder and president of Crusoe, and Varun Sivaram of Emerald AI defended the industry, suggesting data centers could act as "good citizens" by supporting the grid and lowering electricity bills.

BloombergNEF analysts, however, project that data centers will account for more than 5 % of global electricity demand by 2035, with most new demand met by natural-gas plants, potentially raising power-sector emissions by 6 % worldwide and up to 33 % in the United States if proposed on-site gas plants are built. Michigan congressional candidate William Lawrence is capitalising on local opposition, framing data centers as threats to air, water and quality of life, while downplaying climate framing. The column warns that without a broader climate reckoning, the sector’s fossil-fuel expansion will affect even communities far from the facilities.