Extreme Heat Endangers AI Data Centers

image via New Scientist

July 10, 2025, 4:00 PM

• •Rising temperatures and climate change are increasingly threatening data centers worldwide.
• •Hotter weather strains water resources and electricity generation needed for cooling, potentially disrupting operations.
• •New research from Verisk Maplecroft examines the vulnerability of data center hubs globally.
• •Data center operators are seeking solutions, but challenges will increase with the pace of climate change.

A new analysis warns that data centers, crucial for AI and cloud computing, face growing risks from climate change. Rising temperatures strain water and energy resources, essential for cooling these facilities, potentially leading to blackouts and operational disruptions. The research from Verisk Maplecroft highlights that over half of the top data center hubs globally will face increased cooling demands. Furthermore, the study projects severe risks by 2040 if emissions aren't reduced.

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