Kukuwes was in Aulds Cove handing out pamphlets on the problems AI data centres cause, including light, air, and noise pollution, high water use, higher electric bills, and that their energy use is creating a new climate pressure point in what is already a crisis. (Photo credit: Jesse Winkiewicz)
-by Beverley Phillips
Traffic was slowed in Aulds Cove as Mi’kmaw land protectors and allies handed out pamphlets highlighting some of the hazards associated with AI data centres.
On October 16th, EverWind Fuels announced it was building an $8 billion AI data centre at its Point Tupper location, which would be leased to Anthropic, a United States-based AI company, for 20 years. They said it would be a closed-loop system to minimize the need for water. It will draw 500,000 litres of water a day. It will need to be hooked up to Nova Scotia Power’s grid initially, but the company says they plan to install wind turbines and battery storage to reduce grid demand. EverWind and Anthropic have pledged to cover the costs of upgrading the power grid.
Organizer Kukuwes Wowkis (colonial name Madonna Bernard) of We’koqma’q did some research into these data centres and did not like what she found as she read about the water, land, and noise pollution they generate.“I’m here for my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren,” she said. “I am Mi’kmaw. We are protectors of Mother Earth. And this is what our treaty right states, that we have to do it for our next seven generations. This is why Mi’kmaw always seem to be on the front line. We think about the next seven generations to come.”
And that’s what Wowkis wants everyone to think about. “If you can’t think about [your children, the future generations to come], then who are you?” she asked. “If we don’t do it for them, what are we going to leave them? Nothing. We’re gonna leave them dirty water. Poison air, poison land. We won’t have our medicines.”
She had a message for elected officials at both the provincial and municipal levels. “Please, do your own research into this,” said Wowkis. “Please stop selling out for the big money. Yes, we need jobs. Yes, we need economic development. But we don’t need to rush into things, because these AI centres are something new, and we don’t need to rush into them. We need to sit down all together and talk. Not have dollar signs in front of your eyes. They have got to think about their children and their future generations.”
It wasn’t just Mi’kmaw land protectors who were there. A number of allies showed up from Antigonish. “The benefit for Nova Scotians is small, given the cost, environmentally,” said Isabella Lamb. Kate Graves added, “That thing is 24/7. The animals, the birds, they’re all just going to scatter. Nothing’s going to stay. It’s totally disrespectful of the ecosystem. They haven’t consulted. They haven’t acted with respect for the treaties. They’re acting in corporate interests, not people’s interest.”
Sean MacGillivray came down from Sydney to support the action. He volunteers for rallies and protests all over Nova Scotia, providing audio support and safety equipment, like high-visibility vests. He is looking at the proposed data centre from both the local and the broader scope of issues associated with AI. “First of all, the data centre needs somewhere in the ballpark of half a million litres of water per day,” he said. “Additionally, it’s being built under the pretense that it’s going to give us some sort of data sovereignty, when that’s not the case. It’s Anthropic. Not only is it immensely environmentally bad- the facility itself- but it’s part of the larger problem of AI and its global effects, not just on the environment, but on the labour market as well. AI is a proven job killer. And I think there are all kinds of good reasons to oppose AI on principle, but in addition, the province has waived all of the environmental safeguards around putting this facility in place. It seems that this government has no idea about how to grow Nova Scotia’s economy without doing that at the expense of its environment, which is incredibly important, because some of the things that already propel our economy, like tourism, depend on our environment remaining unspoiled. And, of course, there are major ramifications for Indigenous land sovereignty issues. And that’s also a great reason to come out and support this cause.”
The group handed out 300 pamphlets from the middle of the highway. “Most were very positive and supportive,” said Wowkis. “There was only one incident that a man threw the pamphlet back at one of our guys. No big deal. Most were honking and waving.”
On November 7th, there will be rallies across the province from 12 noon to 2 p.m., including in Port Hawkesbury at the Provincial Building at 218 MacSween Street.