Last week, I saw a horrifying video. In the expanses of nature, filled with birds and bugs and all species of animals who predate us, lay a data centre. It created a dystopian buzz that made the whole area vibrate. Birds around the data centre chirped, but in distress. Not a bee was in sight - because of course, the introduction of data centres has added to the already overwhelming worldwide bee crisis. I said to myself, "No matter how awful this world is getting, at least it is confined to America. At least it won't come to London."

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Today, I heard the news that a data centre was being built in Southall, Ealing. Ealing is a quiet, suburban borough in West London, with one of the highest proportions of parks and greenery of any area in London. Building a data centre looks advantageous for the locals, bringing in money and jobs. However, it will be extremely unpleasant for the residents to live in, contributing to increased temperatures of the surrounding area, noise pollution - one of the most underrepresented disadvantages of AI data centres - and a further exacerbation of the already overwhelming bee crisis. EMF exposed bees showed changes in essential genes they require for survival, causing them to die sooner and more easily than bees in normal conditions. And all that does not touch on the possible, or rather probable, ramifications for residents. 

Air pollution is a concerning effect of AI data centres, with there being $6 billion in public health damages related to these buildings (according to the IEEE). Between 2011 and 2021, there has been an increase of 22.8% in people aged 65 and over in the borough as a whole (local authority assessment). Elderly people are more vulnerable to breathing problems, making the introduction of an AI data centres a more pronounced risk for them than any other age group. Our water supply will also be funnelled into these centres. This is in the midst of global studies confirming we are using water unsustainably. A data centre will almost certainly cause water prices to spike, while also putting pressure on the surrounding area in the midst of increased droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires.

The fact is, while AI may be useful, generative AI is not. Above this textbox right now, is an AI generated picture change.org are recommending to me. AI has become rampant in all parts of our society, contributing to climate change, public health problems, and the nullification of our human right to clean air, sufficient water, and a lack of noise pollution. The animals who claimed this land before we did, including the bees who pollinate our crop and carry the human race on their small wings, are distressed. Whether you live in Ealing or not, please consider signing this petition, to save both our human and non-human residents from a reduced quality of life.

Please also share with your friends and family, so they can rise against this terrible scheme.