Navigating the AI Boom: Community Concerns About Data Centers
Julie Mote, a resident at Viña Apartments in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood, faces an invisible but serious dilemma: air quality. After nearly four years in her affordable housing complex, she worries about an upcoming CoreSite data center, expected to contribute to local air pollution.
Key Insights:
- Environmental Impact: Data centers are essential for AI growth but come with hidden costs, including:
- Increased fossil fuel emissions from energy demands.
- Toxic pollutants from backup diesel generators.
- Community Voices: Residents like Mote and activist Ana Varela are advocating for transparency and better site selection to protect vulnerable populations.
- Health Predictions: Research suggests “digital smog” could lead to public health costs of up to $20 billion annually by 2028.
CoreSite claims minimal impact, yet residents demand air monitors for accountability.
🔗 Join the conversation! Share your thoughts on balancing tech growth with community health. #AI #DataCenter #EnvironmentalJustice
