Google cut 400,000 trees in Finland for a data center, and regulators stepped in

Google cleared about 330 hectares of forest in Muhos, northern Finland, to build a data center. Around 250,000 trees were cut down, and the large-scale land clearing started before the required environmental impact review was finished.

Finland's licensing and supervision authority has asked Google to pause work at two sites, Muhos and Otanmaki, about 100 km apart. It must stop activities that significantly change the environment. If Google does not comply, regulators may take enforcement action and impose fines.

Local residents and green groups say the site is now just mud, tire tracks and piles of roots. Muddy water may flow into streams that reach the Oulujoki River, raising concerns about water quality and nature. Activists estimate another 150,000 trees were cut at Otanmaki, bringing the total to 400,000.

Since the logging was illegal, the wood cannot be sold to timber companies. The head of Google Finland has apologized.