Wolves move into Finnish villages as Google clears 1,300 acres for AI centers

Google’s forest clearings in Finland have turned 1,300 acres of forest into mud, prompting wolves to move into nearby villages. Local anger continues to simmer over the damage done to Finnish forests, as Google seems to have ridden roughshod over regulations in the hurry to build new AI data centers in Finland. The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) issued an order for Google to stop development near Muhos and Otanmäki. However, Google’s flouting of environmental policy has been unprecedented and clear, according to a representative of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL). A Google spokesperson said they will fully comply with LVV’s requests in this matter and look forward to maintaining an active, open dialogue with all authorities to strengthen their partnership with Finland and local organizations.

Anni Ranta, 53, whose family has lived in Otanmäki for generations, explained that wolves and other wild animals have moved out of the forest and into the village. He fears that the U.S.-owned data centers will make Finland an even juicier target for Russian aggression. The report suggests that it isn’t just environmentalists who have a beef with Google. Some families say wolves and other wild animals have entered the countryside villages. This would be a serious human safety concern.

The report also cites locals grumbling about construction/factory noise, streams turning brown, and rare birds being pushed out, among other unwanted side effects. We’ve seen similar concerns voiced across the U.S. and in other countries. Google must be hoping the touted business benefits of the data centers will sway the government and/or regulators.

The Finnish government (LVV) gave notice to Google to stop its construction activities in Muhos and Kajaani (near Otanmäki) earlier this month. Google’s country manager has apologized for unauthorized forest clearings near Muhos, which have turned 816 acres of forest into an expanse of mud. The American search and AI giant has also been told to cease work where it has cleared roughly 500 acres of forest, 55 miles southeast of the village of Otanmäki. Now The Guardian reports that wolves, who used to live in the forests, are roaming into villages neighboring these man-made muddy wastelands.

Local anger continues to simmer over the damage done to Finnish forests, as Google seems to have ridden roughshod over regulations in the hurry to build new AI data centers in Finland. Google’s flouting of environmental policy has been unprecedented and clear, a representative of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL) indicated to The Guardian. The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) seems to agree, as it issued an order for Google to stop development near Muhos and Otanmäki.

Google must bear full responsibility, including remediation of the cleared forest/reforestation, and any and all expenses related to protecting the local people, WITHOUT exterminating the displaced wildlife. And on top of that, enormous, painful financial penalties for the unauthorized (translation: ILLEGAL) clearing of the forest.