This video from Hank Green is included because it explains a complex topic in a way that is accurate, accessible, and grounded in real research. Hank uses humor, but the information is based on credible sources and reflects the current science behind AI water use and energy demand. We invite you to watch with curiosity and then explore the series below to see how these issues show up in our own communities.

IN THIS LESSON

The Box in the Neighborhood is a community education series that explains what AI data centers are, why they are being built across Metro Detroit, and why many residents are pushing back.

The series breaks down how these buildings work, how much water and electricity they use, and why the impacts fall on local communities instead of the tech companies that profit from them. It covers the strain placed on municipal water systems, the diesel pollution from backup generators, the rise in electricity demand, and the environmental justice concerns that come with placing these projects near neighborhoods.

The goal is simple. Help people understand what is being proposed, what questions to ask, and how to advocate for their community when large data center projects appear on the agenda.

This series uses only credible, fact checked information so residents can feel confident, informed, and empowered to protect the places they live.

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Power and Electricity Use
- International Energy Agency (IEA) — Electricity 2024
  - https://www.iea.org/reports/electricity-2024
- International Energy Agency (IEA) — Data Centres and Data Transmission Networks
  - https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks
- United States Department of Energy (DOE)
  - https://www.energy.gov
- Reuters
  - https://www.reuters.com
- Associated Press (AP News)
  - https://apnews.com
Water Consumption
- Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI)
  - https://www.eesi.org
- The Guardian
  - https://www.theguardian.com
- The Joyce Foundation — Data Center Water Impact
  - https://www.joycefdn.org
- NPR
  - https://www.npr.org
Air, Diesel Generators, and Environmental Justice
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  - https://www.epa.gov
- ProPublica
  - https://www.propublica.org
- Bloomberg
  - https://www.bloomberg.com
- National Library of Medicine (diesel emissions research)
  - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Economic and Community Impact
- New York Times
  - https://www.nytimes.com
- Brookings Institution
  - https://www.brookings.edu
Metro Detroit Reporting
- Fox 2 Detroit
  - https://www.fox2detroit.com
- The Detroit News
  - https://www.detroitnews.com
- MLive
  - https://www.mlive.com

The Box in the Neighborhood

The Box in the Neighborhood is a community education series that explains what AI data centers are, why they are being built across Metro Detroit, and why many residents are pushing back.

Cited Sources

Empowerment Collective