Tech vs. Climate

Illustration with busts of Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Peter Thiel in front of an orange-tinted industrial smokestack silhouette background and over a bottom navy bar with vertical zeros and ones in blue and teal and three large text bubbles with three white dots inside.

About the Series

Leaders of the worldโ€™s largest tech companies have for years promised that their products, business models, and personal fortunes would solve the mounting climate crisis. But in this series we show how Silicon Valley executives and the powerful companies they run not only are failing to deliver on their promises, theyโ€™re actively making the odds of catastrophic climate breakdown worse.

In This Series

on

MSN hosted AI-generated content that cited non-existent climate experts and institutions.

MSN hosted AI-generated content that cited non-existent climate experts and institutions.
on

Opponents of Project Sail say proposed planning laws have been weakened by industry lobbying.

Opponents of Project Sail say proposed planning laws have been weakened by industry lobbying.
on

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told an AI conference that data centers should be powered by coal, gas, and nuclear. Ruth Porat said his โ€œcomments were fantastic.โ€

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told an AI conference that data centers should be powered by coal, gas, and nuclear. Ruth Porat said his โ€œcomments were fantastic.โ€
Analysis
on

Public records reviewed by DeSmog show developers worked to dilute draft planning rule in Coweta County.

Public records reviewed by DeSmog show developers worked to dilute draft planning rule in Coweta County.
on

DeSmog reveals that Big Oil says theyโ€™re using AI to produce more fossil fuels, while utilities are exploring how โ€œAI agentsโ€ could take over key power grid functions.

DeSmog reveals that Big Oil says theyโ€™re using AI to produce more fossil fuels, while utilities are exploring how โ€œAI agentsโ€ could take over key power grid functions.
on

A massive data center at xAIโ€™s controversial site in Memphis, Tennessee is emitting huge plumes of pollution, according to footage recorded by an environmental watchdog group.

A massive data center at xAIโ€™s controversial site in Memphis, Tennessee is emitting huge plumes of pollution, according to footage recorded by an environmental watchdog group.
on

State may be โ€œrubber stampingโ€ some air pollution permits, according to new report on the boom.

State may be โ€œrubber stampingโ€ some air pollution permits, according to new report on the boom.
on

With a federal election looming, reps from Amazon and TC Energy discuss how a new Pierre Poilievre government could slash bureaucracy โ€˜more quicklyโ€™ than Trump.

With a federal election looming, reps from Amazon and TC Energy discuss how a new Pierre Poilievre government could slash bureaucracy โ€˜more quicklyโ€™ than Trump.
on

An AI-fossil fuel axis is forming in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia as AI advocates pledge an endless need for energy โ€” spelling disaster for the climate.

An AI-fossil fuel axis is forming in the U.S. and Saudi Arabia as AI advocates pledge an endless need for energy โ€” spelling disaster for the climate.
on

Local officials are considering developer Balicoโ€™s plans to build the biggest gas-fired power plant in the U.S. in over a decade.

Local officials are considering developer Balicoโ€™s plans to build the biggest gas-fired power plant in the U.S. in over a decade.
on

Utilities asked EPA chief Lee Zeldin to unleash AI growth by scrapping carbon capture deadlines and other fossil fuel regulations, passing costs onto consumers.

Utilities asked EPA chief Lee Zeldin to unleash AI growth by scrapping carbon capture deadlines and other fossil fuel regulations, passing costs onto consumers.
Analysis

The tech billionaire is invigorating groups in the U.S. and Europe aiming to sabotage climate action, a DeSmog media analysis shows.

The tech billionaire is invigorating groups in the U.S. and Europe aiming to sabotage climate action, a DeSmog media analysis shows.
Analysis
on

A Louisiana utility has dragged its feet on renewables. Now, a proposed Meta data center might create an โ€œurgentโ€ push for dirty power instead.

A Louisiana utility has dragged its feet on renewables. Now, a proposed Meta data center might create an โ€œurgentโ€ push for dirty power instead.
on

Tech firms like Amazon and Google โ€˜have enormous responsibilityโ€™ for driving fossil fuel expansions, climate expert argues.

Tech firms like Amazon and Google โ€˜have enormous responsibilityโ€™ for driving fossil fuel expansions, climate expert argues.
on

Peter Thiel, JD Vanceโ€™s former boss, also expresses confusion on climate, supporting expanded fossil fuel use while appearing unclear on the consequences.

Peter Thiel, JD Vanceโ€™s former boss, also expresses confusion on climate, supporting expanded fossil fuel use while appearing unclear on the consequences.