AI Data Centers & the Heat Island Effect
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Provided by: Share My Lesson|Published on: May 15, 2026
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson examines how artificial intelligence data centers create local heat islands that raise surrounding land surface temperatures.
- Students read, discuss data visualizations, and respond to discussion questions and media literacy prompts.
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Andy Kratochvil
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Prerequisites:
- Ensure students are familiar with data centers and how AI companies use them.
- Review concepts like climate change, water scarcity, and the urban heat island effect.
Classroom Implementation:
- Activate students' background knowledge by asking them about their AI use.
Differentiation:
- Consider printing the Cheat Sheet or writing the terms and definitions on the board for students to have a quick reference for content-specific terms.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Social Studies:
- Have students look into this issue from an environmental justice perspective, using concepts such as redlining and environmental racism to inform their discussion.
This lesson discusses some new research that found data centers, used for AI, increase temperatures in their local area, creating a heat island, and why that is a potential problem. The lesson also encourages students to think about some of the ethical and equality problems that come along with AI, including environmental justice. Finally, the lesson touches on how to identify credible sources and how and why science headlines change as new research is done. These concepts are important for students to understand while they interact with different media. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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