Data Centers 101: What Communities Need to Know

Data centers are expanding rapidly across the country, raising new questions about energy and water use, environmental impacts, land use, and community decision-making. As part of the Center for Health, Environment & Justice’s (CHEJ) ongoing training webinar series, this special edition brings together Josephine Gingerich from Physicians for Social Responsibility – PA, and Elissa Yoder from Halt the Harm Network for an introductory session on what residents need to know as this industry grows in their backyards.

Presenters will explain why data centers are proliferating, break down the environmental and health risks they pose, and dispel common myths surrounding their development. Participants will be introduced to the Halt the Harm Network and its Stop Bad Data Centers initiative, explore available tools and resources, and learn the seven-gateway framework for identifying opportunities to engage throughout the data center development process.

This call will occur on Tuesday, September 1st, at 12:00 PM CT

Josephine Gingerich (she/her) is the Health Advocacy Outreach Coordinator at Physicians for Social Responsibility PA. Josephine works with communities across the state impacted by industrial pollution or the threat of industrial buildout and coordinates the Concerned Health Professionals of PA group. In her prior work, Josephine was a petrochemicals & pollution community organizer for PA, OH, and WV and was a habitat restoration specialist that worked with several conservation agencies across the country. Originally from Michigan, Josephine has a degree in biology and chemistry from Western Michigan University.

Elissa Yoder is a nonprofit leader and campaign strategist with more than 15 years of experience in fundraising, grassroots advocacy, coalition building, and program management. She currently serves as a Data Center Fellow with Halt the Harm Network, where she supports national efforts to challenge the environmental and community impacts of AI data center expansion and fossil fuel infrastructure. Through this fellowship, she helps coordinate a growing network of organizers, researchers, and advocates, while building shared resources and strategies to support communities confronting large-scale industrial development.

Join our free training Tuesday, September 1st, at 12:00 PM CT (registration required)

Unable to attend live? Register today, all registrants will receive the session recording.