Department or Program
Environmental Studies
Abstract
The advent of new technologies presents many new questions for environmental policy, especially regarding the conservation of wetlands. Although this paper focuses on Hangzhou, China isn’t the only country working on advancing artificial intelligence capabilities. The US and Europe are also moving into the field. This requires the creation of data centers. The environmental impact and other consequences of these new technologies require careful consideration as part of any decision to proceed. Decisionmakers in government and in industry must consider the implications of these technologies as their implementation expands. My research reveals how development in Hangzhou, one of China’s most important cities, provides a deeper understanding of the potential costs and benefits of China’s determined advance in AI development, especially for its wetlands.
Level of Access
Restricted: Campus/Bates Community Only Access
First Advisor
Christine Martinez
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Takeyh, Alexander Kian, "The Potential Consequences of Data Centers on Hangzhou’s Wetlands: How the Economic Shift to Artificial Intelligence Technologies Intensifies Pressures on China’s Coastal Wetlands" (2026). Standard Theses. 416.
https://scarab.bates.edu/envr_studies_theses/416
Number of Pages
28
Restricted
Available to Bates community via local IP address or Bates login.