AI data centers may emit 101.5M tons CO2 yearly

The Financial Times analysis paints a stark picture: the 60 largest planned US data centers, built for Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta, could add 101.5 million tons of CO2 annually. That's not just a number—it's comparable to 24 million cars or 27 coal plants. The emissions rise comes as utilities plan new gas plants or delay coal retirements to meet demand, locking in carbon infrastructure for decades. Big Tech's sustainability pledges are being outpaced by actual emissions, with Microsoft seeing a 25% jump in greenhouse gas output. The proposed fixes, from orbital mirrors to satellite data centers, remain speculative, and nuclear power, while promising, isn't yet a proven solution. The gap between the polished press releases and the rising emissions data is becoming harder to ignore, and the question is whether futuristic proposals will distract from the need for near-term accountability.