Google illegally cut down 250,000 trees, Finns demand stricter regulations for data centers

In Finland, there is significant outrage over the illegal logging of hundreds of thousands of trees by Google for data centers. The Finnish regulator halted the work due to incomplete environmental assessments. Approximately 250,000 trees were cut down in Muhos and another 150,000 in Otanmäki. Google apologized but claimed they acted based on their understanding of the law. Public sentiment remains strong, with over 93,000 signatures on a petition for stricter regulations and compensation for affected communities. Residents express concerns about wildlife disturbances and the rapid development of AI technology. Google recently announced a €13 billion investment in AI data centers in Finland, which the government views as a priority for sustainable growth.