AI Race Poses Greater Threat than Climate Change
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that losing the global race to develop artificial intelligence (AI) poses a greater existential threat than climate change. These statements were made during a discussion backdropped by the need for extensive fossil fuel expansion to support the data centers essential for AI technologies. This emphasis on fossil fuels illustrates the political climate under the Trump administration, particularly favoring coal and natural gas while halting the construction of offshore wind projects that would contribute to a sustainable energy future.
“What’s going to save the planet is winning the AI arms race. We need power to do that, and we need it right now,” Burgum asserted to reporters at Gastech, a major natural gas industry conference in Italy. Burgum’s comments align with those of other administration officials who downplay climate change threats, exhibiting a clear prioritization of immediate energy needs over long-term environmental concerns.
The scientific consensus indicates that human activity, primarily through the combustion of fossil fuels, has driven global temperatures up by at least 1.2 degrees Celsius in the last 150 years. Burgum, however, dismissed this, focusing instead on the supposed urgency to secure power to dominate the AI sector. He expressed concern for future generations yet suggested that climate-related issues could be resolved, emphasizing a preference for energy strategies that support AI development.
Similarly, Energy Secretary Chris Wright devalued the threats posed by global warming, labeling climate action as ‘silly.’ At Gastech, he promoted U.S. natural gas as the fastest-growing energy source, reflecting a trend that strips the race for AI from any necessary consideration of ecological consequences. This framing raises questions about the viability of relying on fossil fuels while ignoring clean energy alternatives that have gained substantial traction.
AI technologies are inherently energy-intensive, requiring vast amounts of electricity and data to perform tasks such as generating text, music, images, and video. Yet, while the Trump administration has aggressively removed regulatory barriers to foster AI growth, actions contrasting those goals include withholding support for nearly complete offshore wind energy projects that could diversify and stabilize the country’s energy grid.
Critics from academia and climate advocacy groups are increasingly vocal about the dangers of prioritizing fossil fuel expansion over the available renewable resources that can accelerate the U.S. energy sector. Jesse Jenkins, a climate modeler from Princeton University, contends that while promoting American energy dominance, the administration’s actions undermine the very clean energy resources critical for sustaining future AI developments. He argued that the administration’s approach poses a significant threat to the country’s ability to compete effectively in AI on a global scale.
Eric Gimon, from the climate policy think tank Energy Innovation, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that even without considering climate change, clean energy resources are the most efficient and economical choices for immediate deployment. Advocacy for an energy strategy that embraces all forms of energy—including renewables—seems a rational path, yet the Trump administration’s narrow focus raises concerns about energy reliability as demands grow.
Backlogged orders for natural gas turbines reveal that even the infrastructure needed to support the AI race through traditional energy sources faces extensive delays. Issues around energy availability remain compounded by project cancellations, with nearly 14,000 megawatts of planned energy generation lost in 2024, according to an environmental advocacy group.
Amidst these realizations regarding energy needs and climate concerns, Burgum and the Trump administration continue to advocate for a model of energy production that prioritizes fossil fuels, casting aside clean alternatives. This singular focus could undermine the long-term vision for American leadership in both AI and sustainable energy, as competitors like China aggressively invest in renewable technologies to power their AI ambitions.
The ongoing dialogue around America’s energy strategy and its implications for AI highlights the necessity for a comprehensive approach that integrates environmental sustainability into national security discussions, ensuring that the AI race does not come at the expense of climate stability.