Why are AI data centres a problem?
- AI Data centres contribute to massive increases in GHG emissions, particularly from fossil fuels and nuclear.
- AI data centres require massive amounts of water, leading to mass water displacement, pollution and loss of biodiversity.
- Rising electricity and water bills for people, families, and businesses.
- The major beneficiary of building new AI data centres in Ontario are American companies and tech oligarchs.
- Local, marginalized communities face disproportionate costs and health impacts.
- Excessive E-waste and mineral extraction.
- Lack of transparency and accountability of data centres.
- The impending burst of the AI data centre bubble.
- Creates minimal job creation per data centre, while reducing employment across other sectors.
What is Bill 40?
Bill 40, also known as the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, 2025 is a bill that would give the Minister of Energy and Mines the decision-making power to prioritize and approve AI data centres connection requests from data centre projects that serve the province's economic interests. This is a dangerous step as it limits transparency, undermines the role of independent regulators, and concentrates energy decision-making power to a small group of politicians and industry leaders behind closed doors.
How to get involved
Sign up to volunteer with us by filling in the google forms link here
Downloadable materials
Posters for "Say No to AI Data centres" (PDF)
ClimateFast's ERO reponse to Bill 40 and AI Data Centres in Ontario (Google Doc)
2-pager on AI by Hoodwinked in the Hot House (PDF)
Basic background on LLMs and large AI Data Centres
Why AI uses so much energy by Professor Mahmut Kandemir at Penn State University
AI has an environmental problem - UNEP
Are data centres a threat to the Great Lakes? by Stephen Starr, The Narwhal
The Great AI Bubble - by Carole Cadwalladr
Additional Resources
Data centre map - worldwide
Data centres map - only U.S
Tech Policy Press conducts research on climate/AI/Democracy