1,300 Acres of Finnish Forest Cleared, Wolves Now Roaming Villages
Google's unauthorized land clearing near Muhos has displaced wildlife and prompted a government order to halt work.
By Mariana Delgado ·
Google has come under fire for its data center expansion efforts in Finland, where the company has been ordered to halt construction activities near Muhos and Kajaani. The directive from the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) follows reports that Google proceeded with unauthorized forest clearings to facilitate the development of new AI data centers.
The scale of the environmental impact is significant. According to reports, a total of 1,300 acres of forest have been destroyed for the project. Specifically, 816 acres of forest near Muhos have been converted into an expanse of mud, while an additional 500 acres of woodland, located roughly 55 miles southeast of Otanmäki, has also been cleared. The area previously served as a habitat for wolf packs.
The displacement of wildlife has created a new set of challenges for local residents. Anni Ranta, a 53-year-old resident whose family has lived in Otanmäki for generations, noted, “We had wolves coming into the village because all the wild animals moved out of the forest.” Ranta expressed additional concerns regarding the potential for Russian aggression, fearing that the presence of U.S.-owned data centers might make Finland a more attractive target.
The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (SLL) has characterized Google's disregard for environmental policy as unprecedented and clear. In response to the LVV's order to cease development, a Google spokesperson stated, “We will fully comply with LVV's requests in this matter.” They added that the company looks forward to maintaining an open dialogue with authorities to strengthen its partnership with Finland.
Local residents have reported a range of issues stemming from the construction, including noise from building and factory operations, streams turning brown, and the displacement of rare birds. The situation highlights the tension between the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and the preservation of local ecosystems, a conflict that Google is now navigating as it seeks to continue its operations in Finland.
Source: Tom's Hardware
