Tree felling halted in Google's data center project in Finland
The Regional State Administrative Agency for Finland has decided to suspend construction activities in Google's data center project, where approximately 250,000 trees were cut down before the environmental impact assessment process was completed.
Following the felling of approximately 250,000 trees in the Muhos and Kajaani regions without completing legal approval processes as part of Google's planned $15 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure in Finland, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Finland has urgently halted construction work.
The company's tree felling and excavation work carried out across an 816-acre forested area negatively impacted local wildlife. It was reported that wolf packs, whose natural habitats were disrupted, descended into residential areas up to 80 kilometers away in search of food. Additionally, it was stated that streams feeding the Oulujoki River were polluted as a result of landslides caused by heavy machinery.
Local residents and environmentalists reacted against the project's environmental impacts and noise pollution. Local inhabitants also expressed concern that data centers could become targets in the face of geopolitical risks. Assessment: This large-scale destruction initiated by the company without completing legal processes is described by the local population as a rule-defying approach.
Sources
- 10haber.net · Link