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Science & Technology · 4 Beginner · October 26, 2026

What Are Data Centres and Why Do People Worry?

What Are Data Centres and Why Do People Worry?
Photo: Jan van der Wolf via Pexels

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Vocabulary

data centres ˈdeɪtə ˈsentərz noun
large buildings filled with computers that store and process information and provide internet services
Data centres power the internet services we use every day.
electricity ɪˈlɛktrɪsɪti noun
energy used to power lights, computers, and machines
Data centres use a lot of electricity to run all their computers.
environment ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt noun
the natural world around us, including air, water, and land
Some people say data centres are bad for the environment because they use so much water and power.
pollution pəˈluːʃən noun
harmful substances that damage air, water, or land
People worry about noise and pollution from data centres near their homes.
oppose əˈpoʊz verb
to disagree with something and try to stop it
Many people in the US oppose building new data centres in their communities.
worldwide ˌwɜrldˈwaɪd adjective
existing or happening all over the world
There were about 8,000 data centres worldwide in 2021.

Article

Data centres are big buildings with many computers. They give us the internet. You use them when you search online or send emails. When you watch movies or use a bank app, data centres power those things too. Now there are many more data centres than before.

Data Centres Are Growing Very Fast

In 2021, there were about 8,000 data centres worldwide. Today there are about 12,250. Most data centres are in the United States. Europe has some too. The biggest data centre in the world is in China. It is as big as 140 football fields.

Why Are People Worried?

Data centres use a lot of electricity. They also use water to stay cool. Some people say this is bad for the environment. Others worry about noise and pollution. In the US, many people now oppose building new data centres. This is a big topic before the elections.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is a data centre and what does it do?
  2. Why are there more data centres now than before?
  3. What do data centres need to work well?
  4. What two things worry people about data centres?
  5. Would you want a data centre near your home? Why or why not?

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