The Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini meeting in Benoni under the leadership of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba passed a resolution calling for a Moratorium on Data Centres.
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA CALLS FOR A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTRES
The Archbishop called for “the championing of the integrity of God’s Creation … in an era characterized by “unbelievably radical technological change”.
Whereas;
- We are entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing
- This Revolution is not free, it is being powered by data centres: These are enormous industrial facilities filled with thousands of powerful computers that generate intense heat and require continuous cooling. They consume vast quantities of electricity and, depending on their cooling systems, significant quantities of water.
- Water Impact: Huge data centres may be prioritised over domestic use once contracts are signed. We cannot justify allocating scarce potable water to cooling machines while communities struggle to secure reliable water for drinking, sanitation, food gardens and livelihoods Closed loop systems would increase electricity use significanctly
- Electricity is still unstable and we are moving slowly towards renewables. Data centres usage is enormous, for example currently 25 % of the electricity usage in Ireland. Singapore 20%, Germany 10% is now going to data centres.
- Noise pollution for the local community – and generators for back up -as data centres provide for 24 hour international customers.
- Many countries and States are now calling for moratoriums and restrictions on Data Centres due to their impact on electricity prices, quality of water and noise pollution including 13 States in the USA , Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands.
- South Africa is being seen by tech companies and an open door for this ‘new era of technology”
- A moratorium does not mean rejecting technology or digital innovation. It means pausing the approval of new large-scale data centres until South Africa has the information, regulations and safeguards needed to make responsible decisions
This Synod Resolves : to Support a call for a Moratorium on new Data Centres in Southern Africa
We call for a moratorium while government conducts a national assessment of the sector. This should establish transparent reporting of water and electricity consumption; assess cumulative impacts on stressed catchments and electricity networks; require meaningful community consultation; examine the climate and biodiversity impacts; establish minimum efficiency standards; and ensure that data centres do not compete with households and essential services for scarce water and electricity.
South Africa should not become a place where global technology companies can secure our scarce resources while the environmental and social costs are carried by local communities.
Digital development must serve people and the planet, not place additional pressure on the very resources upon which life depends
Proposer: Canon Shaun Cozett
Seconder: Ven. Mpho Mohale
