#light-pollution — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #light-pollution, aggregated by home.social.
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RE: https://c.im/@RadicalAnthro/116894549247368606
#BrendanCarr and #SpaceNazis have to fuck with everything!
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RE: https://c.im/@RadicalAnthro/116894549247368606
#BrendanCarr and #SpaceNazis have to fuck with everything!
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I’ve created an interactive application to show how satellites will take over the night sky in the next 10, 20 years https://naturnacht-fulda-rhoen.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/satelliten-himmel-i18n.html
#satellites #nightsky #astronomy #lightpollution #starlink #kuiper #orbitalreflective #guowang #globalstar #qianfan #megaconstellation #eso #leo #orbit
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I’ve created an interactive application to show how satellites will take over the night sky in the next 10, 20 years https://naturnacht-fulda-rhoen.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/satelliten-himmel-i18n.html
#satellites #nightsky #astronomy #lightpollution #starlink #kuiper #orbitalreflective #guowang #globalstar #qianfan #megaconstellation #eso #leo #orbit
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Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a stronger inhibitor of overwintering dormancy than urban warming in mosquitoes
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.70407
#science 🧪
#openaccess 🔓
#lightpollution 💡
#insects 🦟
#ecology 🌎 -
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a stronger inhibitor of overwintering dormancy than urban warming in mosquitoes
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.70407
#science 🧪
#openaccess 🔓
#lightpollution 💡
#insects 🦟
#ecology 🌎 -
"'Beyond the limit': one million satellites and mirrors in space pose grave threat to the night sky" by European Southern Observatory @esoastronomy - Quantifying effects on astronomers from proposed 1M+ satellites. It estimates the threshold of harm at 100,000 objects, and preferably capped at less. Currently 14,000. This is the original ESO study, which was mentioned but not linked in the BBC article. https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2607/ #science #LightPollution #satellite #space #environment
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"'Beyond the limit': one million satellites and mirrors in space pose grave threat to the night sky" by European Southern Observatory @esoastronomy - Quantifying effects on astronomers from proposed 1M+ satellites. It estimates the threshold of harm at 100,000 objects, and preferably capped at less. Currently 14,000. This is the original ESO study, which was mentioned but not linked in the BBC article. https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2607/ #science #LightPollution #satellite #space #environment
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"This is one hour of satellite trails over the world's darkest sky. Astronomers say nearly 2 million planned satellites could be 'devastating" by BBC @skyatnightmag - Study by European Southern Observatory ESO concurs with other astronomers that planned satellite constellations totaling over 1 million objects in orbit are disastrous for #astronomy. It estimates overwhelming obstruction above 100,000 total objects. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/eso-study-satellite-trails #science #LightPollution #satellite #space #environment
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"This is one hour of satellite trails over the world's darkest sky. Astronomers say nearly 2 million planned satellites could be 'devastating" by BBC @skyatnightmag - Study by European Southern Observatory ESO concurs with other astronomers that planned satellite constellations totaling over 1 million objects in orbit are disastrous for #astronomy. It estimates overwhelming obstruction above 100,000 total objects. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/eso-study-satellite-trails #science #LightPollution #satellite #space #environment
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Satellite Surge in the Night Sky: An interactive look at current and future orbit density
https://naturnacht-fulda-rhoen.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/satelliten-himmel-i18n.html
#satellite #megaconstellation #nightsky #darkandquietskies #lightpollution #satellites #starlink #orbit #space #leo -
Satellite Surge in the Night Sky: An interactive look at current and future orbit density
https://naturnacht-fulda-rhoen.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/satelliten-himmel-i18n.html
#satellite #megaconstellation #nightsky #darkandquietskies #lightpollution #satellites #starlink #orbit #space #leo -
The newly released "Artificial Light at Night: State of the Science 2026" report highlights a massive surge in global light pollution research, bringing critical new insights into how artificial light at night (ALAN) impacts our world.
Key findings from 2025 studies show that our understanding of skyglow has become highly sophisticated, accounting for complex cloud coverage. Furthermore, research underscores clear health risks from the synergy of ALAN and air pollution, significant disruptions to urban vegetation dynamics, and broader ecosystem risks altering carbon cycles.
To safeguard the nocturnal commons, public policy must now catch up to this undeniable scientific consensus. Read more: https://www.darkskyconsulting.com/blog/artificial-light-at-night-state-of-the-science-2026
#LightPollution #StateOfTheScience #ALAN #DarkSkies #Astronomy #EnvironmentalScience
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The newly released "Artificial Light at Night: State of the Science 2026" report highlights a massive surge in global light pollution research, bringing critical new insights into how artificial light at night (ALAN) impacts our world.
Key findings from 2025 studies show that our understanding of skyglow has become highly sophisticated, accounting for complex cloud coverage. Furthermore, research underscores clear health risks from the synergy of ALAN and air pollution, significant disruptions to urban vegetation dynamics, and broader ecosystem risks altering carbon cycles.
To safeguard the nocturnal commons, public policy must now catch up to this undeniable scientific consensus. Read more: https://www.darkskyconsulting.com/blog/artificial-light-at-night-state-of-the-science-2026
#LightPollution #StateOfTheScience #ALAN #DarkSkies #Astronomy #EnvironmentalScience
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Ecological #lightpollution folks - Pedro, Avalon and I want your best papers and your APCs for a special collection at Scientific Reports. Kidding (sort of) about the APCs, there are reduced rates available by country of origin. https://www.nature.com/collections/aggecijegc/about-the-collection
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OnlineFirst - "The illusion of control: Do we need dark infrastructures to address light pollution?" by Samuel Challéat, Johan Milian, Hélène Foglar, David Loose, Kévin Barré, Magalie Franchomme, and Laurent Godet:
#LightPollution
#ArtificialLightAtNight
#ALAN
#NightEcology
#EnvironmentalGovernance
#Conservation
#PoliticalEcology
#STS
#Biodiversity
#DarkInfrastructurehttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/25148486261456981
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OnlineFirst - "The illusion of control: Do we need dark infrastructures to address light pollution?" by Samuel Challéat, Johan Milian, Hélène Foglar, David Loose, Kévin Barré, Magalie Franchomme, and Laurent Godet:
#LightPollution
#ArtificialLightAtNight
#ALAN
#NightEcology
#EnvironmentalGovernance
#Conservation
#PoliticalEcology
#STS
#Biodiversity
#DarkInfrastructurehttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/25148486261456981
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In 2002 the Czech Republic approved the world’s first national “dark-sky” legislation.
Aimed at limiting light pollution, the law requires outdoor lighting to be shielded or pointed downward to prevent light from travelling up into the sky.
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In 2002 the Czech Republic approved the world’s first national “dark-sky” legislation.
Aimed at limiting light pollution, the law requires outdoor lighting to be shielded or pointed downward to prevent light from travelling up into the sky.
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Light cues override temperature as a cue for basking in a critically endangered #crocodile, the #gharial: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989426002180?via%3Dihub -> "Basking and submerging are used to regulate body temperature. We found light correlated more strongly with basking than temperature. Mismatch between light and temperature conditions could impact thermoregulation." #LightPollution
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Light cues override temperature as a cue for basking in a critically endangered #crocodile, the #gharial: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989426002180?via%3Dihub -> "Basking and submerging are used to regulate body temperature. We found light correlated more strongly with basking than temperature. Mismatch between light and temperature conditions could impact thermoregulation." #LightPollution
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Roulet et al (2026) Artificial light at night and terrestrial fauna: A review on research trends and knowledge gaps
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320726002752
#lightpollution 💡
#science 🧪
#openaccess 🔓
#biodiversity 🦋
#ecology 🌍 -
Roulet et al (2026) Artificial light at night and terrestrial fauna: A review on research trends and knowledge gaps
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320726002752
#lightpollution 💡
#science 🧪
#openaccess 🔓
#biodiversity 🦋
#ecology 🌍 -
Any astronomers looking for a wild new job?
I got a message from an ecologist in Belgium today, and he's looking for a postdoc with experience in photometry to work on analysis of all-sky imagery for an experiment on the impact of #LightPollution on birds.
This is not yet a job offer! He would work together with the candidate on an internal university grant.
If anyone is interested (PhD in #astronomy or closely related field required), send me a message and I'll put you in touch.
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Any astronomers looking for a wild new job?
I got a message from an ecologist in Belgium today, and he's looking for a postdoc with experience in photometry to work on analysis of all-sky imagery for an experiment on the impact of #LightPollution on birds.
This is not yet a job offer! He would work together with the candidate on an internal university grant.
If anyone is interested (PhD in #astronomy or closely related field required), send me a message and I'll put you in touch.
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@TheEddieShow @sarble I cannot condone streetlights #lightpollution
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@TheEddieShow @sarble I cannot condone streetlights #lightpollution
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Does your device need an LED?
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No.Does your device need a blinking LED?
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Fuck no.(Please feel free to print this out and post it in product design departments everywhere.)
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Does your device need an LED?
↓
No.Does your device need a blinking LED?
↓
Fuck no.(Please feel free to print this out and post it in product design departments everywhere.)
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Farmers in a national park are turning down lights at night to help wildlife – it could be good for crops too
#Environment #Wildlife #Farms #Agriculture #LightPollution #Biodiversity #DarkSkies #NationalParks #Pollinators #Bats #Insects #Tourism #UK #Dark
https://the-14.com/farmers-in-a-national-park-are-turning-down-lights-at-night-to-help-wildlife-it-could-be-good-for-crops-too/ -
Farmers in a national park are turning down lights at night to help wildlife – it could be good for crops too
#Environment #Wildlife #Farms #Agriculture #LightPollution #Biodiversity #DarkSkies #NationalParks #Pollinators #Bats #Insects #Tourism #UK #Dark
https://the-14.com/farmers-in-a-national-park-are-turning-down-lights-at-night-to-help-wildlife-it-could-be-good-for-crops-too/ -
Farmers in a national park are turning down lights at night to help wildlife – it could be good for crops too
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Farmers in a national park are turning down lights at night to help wildlife – it could be good for crops too
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Forty years ago the rice terraces of Taro pulsed green at night. Then the chemicals came, the light went dark. Wayan Wardika breeds fireflies back one larva at a time, betting on a glow he may never see. The same appetite that bombs a water plant paves a firefly's home. It's all one hunger.https://twp.ai/4hsRV7 #Fireflies #Conservation #Climate #Nature #LightPollution #Ecology #Rewilding #Hope #Environment
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Forty years ago the rice terraces of Taro pulsed green at night. Then the chemicals came, the light went dark. Wayan Wardika breeds fireflies back one larva at a time, betting on a glow he may never see. The same appetite that bombs a water plant paves a firefly's home. It's all one hunger.https://twp.ai/4hsRV7 #Fireflies #Conservation #Climate #Nature #LightPollution #Ecology #Rewilding #Hope #Environment
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Piercing the Sky
Satellite Trails Over Hobart Skies
Satellite trails are an increasingly visible sign of human impact on the night sky. As large constellations of satellites expand, long streaks of reflected sunlight appear in astronomical images, interfering with observations and altering the natural darkness of space.Photograph: David Nolan
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Piercing the Sky
Satellite Trails Over Hobart Skies
Satellite trails are an increasingly visible sign of human impact on the night sky. As large constellations of satellites expand, long streaks of reflected sunlight appear in astronomical images, interfering with observations and altering the natural darkness of space.Photograph: David Nolan
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Press Release: Rising #Emissions, Depleting #Water and Vanishing #Land—UN Scientists: #AI Is Threatening #NaturalResources for Billions
By 2030, AI's water use will match the needs of 1.3 billion people while its power use triples that of 650 million, UN University investigation warns
Date Published
3 Jun 2026Excerpt: "Inference, efficiency, and the rebound effect
"Public discussion has largely focused on the energy required to train massive models. Training GPT-3 was estimated to require 1.3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, while estimates suggest GPT-4 consumed between 50 and 70 GWh. However, the report reveals this framing is outdated. Once a model is deployed, inference—the continuous running of models to answer everyday user prompts—becomes the dominant cost, accounting for 80 to 90 per cent of total #AI energy use. ChatGPT alone is estimated to process around 2.5 billion prompts per day, translating to roughly 383 GWh of electricity per year for a single product. Offsetting associated carbon emissions would require 2.6 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years, enough trees to cover a land area the size of Manhattan. The water footprint is equivalent to the minimum annual domestic water needs of roughly 500,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the land footprint is equal to over 800 football fields."
Read more:
https://unu.edu/inweh/news/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-use-carbon-water-and-land-footprints#AIBoom #Electricity #Hyperscale #BigTech #BigData #CarbonFootprint #EnvironmentalRacism #EnvironmentalDegradation #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #AIAgents #BotTraffic #GreenSpaces #Farmland #Prairies #Woodland #TechGiants #ProtectNature #NoDatacenters #EnergyConsumption #USPol #WorldPol #Datacentres
#DatacenterMoratoriums #ArtificialIntelligence -
Press Release: Rising #Emissions, Depleting #Water and Vanishing #Land—UN Scientists: #AI Is Threatening #NaturalResources for Billions
By 2030, AI's water use will match the needs of 1.3 billion people while its power use triples that of 650 million, UN University investigation warns
Date Published
3 Jun 2026Excerpt: "Inference, efficiency, and the rebound effect
"Public discussion has largely focused on the energy required to train massive models. Training GPT-3 was estimated to require 1.3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, while estimates suggest GPT-4 consumed between 50 and 70 GWh. However, the report reveals this framing is outdated. Once a model is deployed, inference—the continuous running of models to answer everyday user prompts—becomes the dominant cost, accounting for 80 to 90 per cent of total #AI energy use. ChatGPT alone is estimated to process around 2.5 billion prompts per day, translating to roughly 383 GWh of electricity per year for a single product. Offsetting associated carbon emissions would require 2.6 million tree seedlings grown for 10 years, enough trees to cover a land area the size of Manhattan. The water footprint is equivalent to the minimum annual domestic water needs of roughly 500,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the land footprint is equal to over 800 football fields."
Read more:
https://unu.edu/inweh/news/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-use-carbon-water-and-land-footprints#AIBoom #Electricity #Hyperscale #BigTech #BigData #CarbonFootprint #EnvironmentalRacism #EnvironmentalDegradation #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #AIAgents #BotTraffic #GreenSpaces #Farmland #Prairies #Woodland #TechGiants #ProtectNature #NoDatacenters #EnergyConsumption #USPol #WorldPol #Datacentres
#DatacenterMoratoriums #ArtificialIntelligence -
The #EnvironmentalCost of #ArtificialIntelligence: #Carbon, #Water, and #LandFootprints
#AI’s rapid growth drives huge energy, water, and land use, raising environmental and equity challenges across its global infrastructure.
Date Published 3 Jun 2026
UNU-INWEH Report: Aczel, M., Chamanara, S., Matin, M., Farsi, A., Marwala, T., Madani, K. (2026).
"This report, Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water and Land Footprints, by the #UnitedNationsUniversity Institute for Water, Environment and Health (#UNU-#INWEH) on its 30th anniversary, examines one of the most underexplored consequences of AI’s rapid expansion: the environmental footprints of the energy required to power it. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in economies, public services, research, communication, and everyday life, it depends on a growing physical infrastructure of #datacenters, advanced #chips, #CoolingSystems, #ElectricityGrids, #WaterResources, land, and #CriticalMineral supply chains. The report shows that AI is not only a digital technology, but also a material system with measurable #EnvironmentalCosts.
"The report moves beyond a carbon-only lens by quantifying the carbon, water, and land footprints associated with the electricity used to train, deploy, and operate AI systems at scale. Its central finding is that AI’s environmental costs depend not only on how much electricity is used, but also on where that electricity is generated and which energy sources power it. Every kilowatt-hour used by AI carries carbon, water, and land implications, and these footprints do not always move in the same direction: low-carbon electricity is not automatically low-water or low-land. The report also shows that AI’s footprint is shaped by both major infrastructure trends, including the rapid growth of data centers, and everyday use patterns, including model choice, output length, modality, and the growing use of text, image, and video generation.
"Importantly, the report frames AI’s environmental footprint as a governance and justice challenge, not only a technical problem. The benefits of AI often flow across borders and sectors, while the environmental burdens of data center siting, electricity demand, water withdrawals, #LandUse, MineralExtraction, and #EWaste can be concentrated in specific communities and regions. To address these risks, the report calls for a responsible AI ecosystem grounded in transparency, efficiency by design, equity and #EnvironmentalJustice, lifecycle responsibility, global cooperation, and sustainable use. By making AI’s carbon, water, and land footprints visible and comparable, the report provides a practical basis for integrating AI into energy, climate, water, and land-use planning, ensuring that innovation advances without shifting environmental costs onto vulnerable communities."
Download PDF:
https://unu.edu/inweh/collection/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-Use-Carbon-water-and-land-footprints#AIBoom #Electricity #Hyperscale #BigTech #BigData #CarbonFootprint #EnvironmentalRacism #EnvironmentalDegradation #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #AIAgents #BotTraffic #GreenSpaces #Farmland #Prairies #Woodland #TechGiants #ProtectNature #NoDatacenters #EnergyConsumption #USPol #WorldPol #Datacentres
#DatacenterMoratoriums -
The #EnvironmentalCost of #ArtificialIntelligence: #Carbon, #Water, and #LandFootprints
#AI’s rapid growth drives huge energy, water, and land use, raising environmental and equity challenges across its global infrastructure.
Date Published 3 Jun 2026
UNU-INWEH Report: Aczel, M., Chamanara, S., Matin, M., Farsi, A., Marwala, T., Madani, K. (2026).
"This report, Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water and Land Footprints, by the #UnitedNationsUniversity Institute for Water, Environment and Health (#UNU-#INWEH) on its 30th anniversary, examines one of the most underexplored consequences of AI’s rapid expansion: the environmental footprints of the energy required to power it. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in economies, public services, research, communication, and everyday life, it depends on a growing physical infrastructure of #datacenters, advanced #chips, #CoolingSystems, #ElectricityGrids, #WaterResources, land, and #CriticalMineral supply chains. The report shows that AI is not only a digital technology, but also a material system with measurable #EnvironmentalCosts.
"The report moves beyond a carbon-only lens by quantifying the carbon, water, and land footprints associated with the electricity used to train, deploy, and operate AI systems at scale. Its central finding is that AI’s environmental costs depend not only on how much electricity is used, but also on where that electricity is generated and which energy sources power it. Every kilowatt-hour used by AI carries carbon, water, and land implications, and these footprints do not always move in the same direction: low-carbon electricity is not automatically low-water or low-land. The report also shows that AI’s footprint is shaped by both major infrastructure trends, including the rapid growth of data centers, and everyday use patterns, including model choice, output length, modality, and the growing use of text, image, and video generation.
"Importantly, the report frames AI’s environmental footprint as a governance and justice challenge, not only a technical problem. The benefits of AI often flow across borders and sectors, while the environmental burdens of data center siting, electricity demand, water withdrawals, #LandUse, MineralExtraction, and #EWaste can be concentrated in specific communities and regions. To address these risks, the report calls for a responsible AI ecosystem grounded in transparency, efficiency by design, equity and #EnvironmentalJustice, lifecycle responsibility, global cooperation, and sustainable use. By making AI’s carbon, water, and land footprints visible and comparable, the report provides a practical basis for integrating AI into energy, climate, water, and land-use planning, ensuring that innovation advances without shifting environmental costs onto vulnerable communities."
Download PDF:
https://unu.edu/inweh/collection/environmental-cost-of-AIs-Enrgy-Use-Carbon-water-and-land-footprints#AIBoom #Electricity #Hyperscale #BigTech #BigData #CarbonFootprint #EnvironmentalRacism #EnvironmentalDegradation #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #AIAgents #BotTraffic #GreenSpaces #Farmland #Prairies #Woodland #TechGiants #ProtectNature #NoDatacenters #EnergyConsumption #USPol #WorldPol #Datacentres
#DatacenterMoratoriums -
The #AI boom is gobbling up power faster than ever
By Hannah Beckler, June 7, 2026
Excerpt: "The data center boom is accelerating.
"A Business Insider analysis of US data center permits reveals a staggering escalation in data center power use. Data centers across the US are growing in number and in size. If all data centers permitted through 2025 come online, they will use between 224.3 terawatt-hours and 358.8 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, an increase of 50% over the previous year across the range, Business Insider's analysis found.
"At the midpoint, that's more than all the #electricity used by any one US state in 2024, except Texas.
"The vast majority of this power use is driven by #hyperscale data centers, mammoth facilities that use 40 megawatts or more each, Business Insider estimates.
"#TechGiants have an insatiable appetite for more computing power to fund their AI ambitions. In 2025, permits were issued for 176 new data centers across 34 states — the most new permits in one year since the first was issued in 1976, Business Insider found. Many of them are mammoth facilities destined for rural areas — enormous complexes blanketing #prairies, #GreenSpaces, and #farmland.
"#AmazonCorp's planned 14-building data center complex in #RidgelandMS, would transform nearly 800 acres of rural #woodland. In the village of #MountPleasantWI, Microsoft's nine data center buildings would command a collective footprint of over 5.2 million square feet built on a property nearly the size of New York City's Central Park, according to planning documents. And just outside #EagleMountainOT, #QTS — one of the nation's biggest data center operators — is building one that is expected to demand between 1.9 and 3 terawatt-hours a year once fully online, according to Business Insider's estimate. On average, that's the same amount of electricity used by 227,000 US homes.
"The race by tech companies to reach ever-greater AI ambitions has sparked a sweeping backlash from local residents and state and local officials wary of #Datacenter impacts on the #environment, economy, and #communities. And development-friendly lawmakers could face a reckoning in this year's #midterms, in which data centers are emerging as a key issue for many voters."
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ai-data-center-power-electricity-use-consumption-2026-6
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/hJXeS#NoDatacenters #AIBoom #EnergyConsumption #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #USPol #USMidTerms #Elections2026 #Datacentres #DatacenterMoratoriums #BigData #BigTech
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The #AI boom is gobbling up power faster than ever
By Hannah Beckler, June 7, 2026
Excerpt: "The data center boom is accelerating.
"A Business Insider analysis of US data center permits reveals a staggering escalation in data center power use. Data centers across the US are growing in number and in size. If all data centers permitted through 2025 come online, they will use between 224.3 terawatt-hours and 358.8 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, an increase of 50% over the previous year across the range, Business Insider's analysis found.
"At the midpoint, that's more than all the #electricity used by any one US state in 2024, except Texas.
"The vast majority of this power use is driven by #hyperscale data centers, mammoth facilities that use 40 megawatts or more each, Business Insider estimates.
"#TechGiants have an insatiable appetite for more computing power to fund their AI ambitions. In 2025, permits were issued for 176 new data centers across 34 states — the most new permits in one year since the first was issued in 1976, Business Insider found. Many of them are mammoth facilities destined for rural areas — enormous complexes blanketing #prairies, #GreenSpaces, and #farmland.
"#AmazonCorp's planned 14-building data center complex in #RidgelandMS, would transform nearly 800 acres of rural #woodland. In the village of #MountPleasantWI, Microsoft's nine data center buildings would command a collective footprint of over 5.2 million square feet built on a property nearly the size of New York City's Central Park, according to planning documents. And just outside #EagleMountainOT, #QTS — one of the nation's biggest data center operators — is building one that is expected to demand between 1.9 and 3 terawatt-hours a year once fully online, according to Business Insider's estimate. On average, that's the same amount of electricity used by 227,000 US homes.
"The race by tech companies to reach ever-greater AI ambitions has sparked a sweeping backlash from local residents and state and local officials wary of #Datacenter impacts on the #environment, economy, and #communities. And development-friendly lawmakers could face a reckoning in this year's #midterms, in which data centers are emerging as a key issue for many voters."
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ai-data-center-power-electricity-use-consumption-2026-6
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/hJXeS#NoDatacenters #AIBoom #EnergyConsumption #NoisePollution #LightPollution #WaterIsLife #USPol #USMidTerms #Elections2026 #Datacentres #DatacenterMoratoriums #BigData #BigTech
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#LightPollution research spans many fields, but progress is slowed because astronomers, ecologists, and lighting engineers use different rulers to measure the same night sky. This communication breakdown complicates how we manage outdoor lighting as a shared public resource.
Read more about why clearing up these discrepancies eliminates misunderstandings and gives city planners the precise data needed for better policy: https://www.darkskyconsulting.com/blog/the-language-of-light-standardizing-light-pollution-measurements
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#LightPollution research spans many fields, but progress is slowed because astronomers, ecologists, and lighting engineers use different rulers to measure the same night sky. This communication breakdown complicates how we manage outdoor lighting as a shared public resource.
Read more about why clearing up these discrepancies eliminates misunderstandings and gives city planners the precise data needed for better policy: https://www.darkskyconsulting.com/blog/the-language-of-light-standardizing-light-pollution-measurements
