Join the "Unplug AI" Week of Action in NYC
This September, Climate Defenders is hosting the "Unplug AI Week of Action" in New York City. The Week of Action is an effort to confront the tech giants driving the massive build-out of fossil-fueled AI data centers, as well as to convince the politicians to try to slow, if not stop, new data center development and fossil fuel expansion projects. Data centers are raising energy bills, depleting water supplies, polluting communities, and, alarmingly, creating a strong demand for fossil fuels, even coal! And interestingly, many Americans across the political spectrum are coming together to oppose the construction of data centers. See "DETAILS" below.
Tech billionaires want to play god and claim artificial intelligence is the answer to our problems. In reality, they are taking us back to the past, a past where we rely on dirty energy that fuels climate chaos and pollutes our communities. Data centers require a huge amount of energy. To power these data centers, Big Tech and the Trump administration are working with billionaire polluters to build new pipelines, oil wells, and fracked gas power plants.
Image: A data center and its backup diesel generators
built by the Markley Group loom over a ballpark and
residential neighborhood in Lowell, Massachusetts;
June 30, 2026 | Matt O'Brien/AP.
Therefore, activists are taking to the streets in NYC during "Climate Week 2026" to call out the technology companies driving the massive build-out of fossil-fueled AI data centers, and to get officeholders to support pausing the massive data center development. Action targets include OpenAI, Google, Amazon, Kathy Hochul, and the Gowanus Fracked Gas Plant. Organizers plan for all actions to be nonviolent.
DETAILS
What: "Unplug AI" Week of Action vs. Big Tech which is driving the huge growth in data centers, and the politicians who can stop it.
When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026 to Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
Where: New York City.
Misc: Sign up for the Week of Action here.
Takoma Park Folk Festival
The annual Takoma Park Folk Festival is coming on Sunday, September 27, 2026. And Climate First! will be tabling again! "Details" below.
Image: Despite an earlier rain storm, people Image: Our table was busy at 2024's Folk Festival.
were attracted to the music at this stage
during the Folk Festival in Sept. 2022.
With musicians playing at numerous stages, fun activities for the kids, local artisans, interesting nonprofits, and tasty food vendors, Takoma Park's iconic Folk Festival is always a well-attended community event.
Climate First! Board of Directors Meeting
On Monday evening, October 5, 2026, Climate First!, Inc. will hold a Board of Directors meeting online. If you wish to see the inner workings of a small nonprofit working on the most critical issue on earth, please join us. Also, if you want to consider serving as a Board member for the organization, attending all or part of this meeting is a good way to see if it's your thing. See "DETAILS" below.
To attend the meeting, contact Ted Conwell, Board President. After receiving your contact information, he will email you a Zoom invite link and other necessary things for the meeting. Guests to the meeting may, of course, leave the gathering whenever they wish.
Image: In April, Climate First! tabled at the Takoma Park
Earth Day Celebration, and enjoyed sharing its
message with numerous people that day; 4-12-26.
DETAILS
What: Climate First!'s Board of Directors meeting.
When: Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7 pm EDT. The meeting will likely last between 1 and 1.5 hours.
Where: The online meeting will be held via Zoom.
Misc.: If you have questions and/or you wish to attend the Board meeting, please contact Ted at least two days before the scheduled meeting. Please contact him at: [email protected].