DC Climate Week highlights data center demands and challenges for science

About this episode

This episode explores the implications of data center proliferation and reduced federal support for science discussed during DC Climate Week.

The second annual DC Climate Week took place April 20-26, and in this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast we're exploring two key themes that are front and center in Washington, DC: the proliferation of data centers, and diminished federal support for science and research. All Things Sustainable was the official podcast of DC Climate Week and in today's episode we sit down with some of the week's speakers to unpack the climate implications of both topics. DC is where federal regulations and laws are passed, and DC Climate Week co-founder C'pher Gresham explains how developments in the nation's capital often reverberate across the US and globally. We talk with Brandon Jones, President of the American Geophysical Union, a professional society for earth and space scientists. He says waning support for science is causing major ripple effects throughout society that will require courage, connection and creativity to solve. "We have to rethink how we're going to engage to make sure we have the future that we want and we need," Brandon says. AI and data center demand were another big area of focus during DC Climate Week. The Northern Virginia communities around DC are home to…

People in this episode

Guests: Brandon Jones, Udit Garg

Topics covered

• data centers
• climate change
• federal support for science
• energy transition
• AI

Keywords

• data centers
• climate week
• federal support
• energy transition
• science

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Geophysical Union, Arcadia

Places: Washington, DC

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