Data Centres in the Spotlight: Earth Day 2025 with Friends of the Earth

On Earth Day – Tuesday, April 22nd, we came together in the heart of Dublin city centre for a special evening of learning and connection, focused on the growing climate impacts of data centres and AI. This event was part of a wider wave of Cuppa for Climate gatherings organised by supporters across the country around Earth Day – moments of community and climate conversation. We were delighted to be hosted in the welcoming space provided by Patagonia, where the evening sparked thoughtful discussion, new connections, and collective energy for action. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us – and congratulations to our raffle winner! We hope your prize fuels even more climate activism.

Data Centres is a global issue

We were delighted to have our very own Rosi Leonard speak on the growing impact of data centres in Ireland. These energy-hungry facilities are already consuming around 20% of our electricity, and that figure is expected to rise to 30% by the end of the decade – a staggering share that places immense strain on Ireland’s electricity grid. But it’s not just about energy. Data centres also place significant pressure on our water resources, a critical concern as we face into a future of increasing climate instability. As Rosi highlighted, this unchecked growth raises serious questions about how we prioritise our energy use – and who benefits. 

We then welcomed Pierre Terras from Beyond Fossil Fuels, a campaign group working to halt the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure and promote a just transition to renewable energy. He shared powerful insights into the environmental and social impacts of the rapid growth of data centres, and the crucial need for action – here in Ireland and globally.

Data centres are popping up across Ireland at a staggering rate and across the globe. From the U.S. to the Netherlands to Singapore, communities are pushing back against the unchecked expansion of data infrastructure. The environmental costs – especially in terms of energy and water use – are increasingly drawing global concern. Pierre highlighted how data centres are shaping energy policy – often behind closed doors – and how local resistance is growing in response. Without strategic planning and policy interventions, the increasing energy demands of data centres could significantly raise greenhouse gas emissions and strain existing renewable energy resources. Greater transparency in data centre energy usage is needed and we need to put pressure on policymakers and industry leaders to ensure that the growth of digital infrastructure aligns with Europe's climate goals. 

To read more about the impacts Data Centre has on our energy transition, read Beyond Fossil Fuels’s  latest system overload report. Also, with the massive, uncontrolled growth of AI, read here their joint statement on AI, call to urgently acknowledge the true environmental harms of AI.

A Community Gathering with Purpose

Events like this help us unpack the complexity of these issues in a supportive, inclusive space, and build the connections needed to take meaningful action.

After the discussion, it was great to have the chance to relax, chat, and connect with each other more informally. Sharing pizza and drinks, generously provided by Patagonia, gave us space to continue the conversation, build new relationships, and strengthen the sense of community that underpins all our work. These moments of connection are just as important as the campaign updates – they remind us that we’re not alone in this movement.

What’s Next?

Want to stay involved? Keep an eye on our website for upcoming events focused on data centres and other key climate issues. And don’t forget to sign up to our mailing list to get the latest updates, actions, and event invites straight to your inbox.

You can learn more about the work of Beyond Fossil Fuels and their campaign on data centres at: 👉 https://beyondfossilfuels.org

Feeling inspired to bring people together? Why not host your own Cuppa for Climate! Whether it’s in your local community centre, workplace, or kitchen table, bringing people together over tea, coffee, and climate conversation is a powerful way to build momentum. We’re here to support you every step of the way – let’s keep growing this movement together.

Together, we’re stronger – and every conversation brings us closer to a more just and sustainable future.

Blog by Ruth Jedidja Stael