US Lobbyists Target EU Deforestation Law; Data Center Opposition Grows

US corporate lobbyists have been actively working to weaken a landmark EU law aimed at preventing deforestation. A report by environmental watchdog Mighty Earth details a two-year "blitz" involving over 350 meetings by major US firms and trade associations to influence the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This effort seeks to postpone or dilute the regulation, which is designed to ensure that products sold in the EU do not contribute to forest destruction.

Meanwhile, in the United States, local communities are increasingly mobilizing to oppose the construction of new data centers. Residents are packing town hall meetings, and their activism has already led developers to drop billions of dollars in planned projects. While these local victories are significant, the fight may shift to the state level as the demand for data infrastructure continues to grow.