A march against new data centres on November 7th
Summary
Rosie Leonard of Friends of the Earth discusses Ireland’s upcoming march against new data centres, arguing that the current build-out is unsustainable for energy security and climate goals. She advocates for a moratorium as part of a broader European movement, countering concerns about lost tax revenue by noting that existing jobs remain secure and that tech giants are heavily in debt. Leonard asserts that prioritizing community needs and cost-of-living stability over speculative data centre expansion is essential for Ireland’s long-term economic health.
Topics discussed
ASPCA sponsorship and introduction
Introduction to the march against data centres
Global context of the data centre moratorium campaign
International regulations and Ireland's high energy consumption
Decision-making and economic risks for Ireland
Employment impacts and tech company debt
Implications for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Regulatory compliance and cost of living priorities
Sustainability concerns and planning permissions
Show sign-off and ASPCA sponsorship
Listen ad-free on Castria