What's happening
A member of the opposition in the Thai parliament is calling for the creation of a parliamentary committee to regulate data centers. This comes amid a series of new projects approved related to the sector, which requires large amounts of water and electricity.
Sahassawat Kumkong, a member of the Reformist Popular Party, stated that Thailand needs to rethink its overall approach to data center development. "The goal should not be simply to attract investments as quickly as possible. We also need to ensure that development is environmentally sustainable, that local communities are protected, and that economic benefits are shared more fairly".
Why it matters
The coastal province of Chonburi, in eastern Thailand, is a clear example of the impact that data centers can have on the environment and local communities. With at least 13 data centers under construction or planned, and four already in operation, the region is under pressure to ensure that development is sustainable.
Data centers require large amounts of water and electricity, which can put pressure on the region's natural resources. Additionally, the lack of transparency and public participation in the approval and regulation process of data centers can lead to negative consequences for local communities.
The mechanism/science behind it
Data centers are large consumers of energy and water, which can have significant environmental impacts. The energy production needed to power data centers can generate greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change.
Furthermore, the extraction of water for cooling data centers can affect the availability of water for other activities, such as agriculture and drinking water supply. It is essential that data centers are designed and operated sustainably, with energy and water-efficient technologies.
Bigger context
The environmental impact of data centers is not a problem unique to Thailand. Worldwide, data centers are becoming increasingly important for the digital economy, but they are also raising concerns about their environmental impact.
Countries like the US, China, and Europe are working to develop more sustainable regulations and technologies for data centers. Thailand can learn from these examples and develop its own solutions to minimize the environmental impact of data centers.
What happens next
The call by MP Sahassawat Kumkong for the creation of a parliamentary committee to regulate data centers is an important step to ensure that the development of the sector is sustainable.
It is essential that the Thai government and industry players work together to develop policies and technologies that minimize the environmental impact of data centers. Additionally, public participation and transparency are crucial to ensuring that local communities are protected and that economic benefits are shared fairly.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on the Mongabay website.