AI Data Centers to Double Electricity Use by 2030, Intensifying Climate Risks

Douglas McIntyre, Editor-in-Chief at Climate Crisis 24/7, highlights a new report by the International Energy Agency warning that global electricity use by AI data centers will double by 2030. With nearly half of the increase coming from the U.S., and renewable energy not scaling fast enough, McIntyre explains that a fallback on fossil fuels—particularly coal—is likely. This competition for energy, he notes, could drive higher utility costs and even blackouts, further complicating the climate crisis.