In this episode of Environment Variables, host Chris Adams sits down with Mark Bjornsgaard of Deep Green to explore a transformative approach to data center design and sustainability. Mark shares insights into how Deep Green reimagines traditional data centers by co-locating them in urban areas to provide heat reuse for facilities like swimming pools, district heating systems, and industrial processes. They discuss the challenges of planning and policy, the rise of high-density computing driven by AI, and the potential for data centers to become integral components of community infrastructure. Tune in to learn about the intersection of digital innovation and environmental responsibility, and how new business models can turn waste into opportunity.Learn more about our people:Chris Adams: LinkedIn | GitHub | WebsiteMark Bjornsgaard: LinkedIn | WebsiteFind out more about the GSF:The Green Software Foundation Website Sign up to the Green Software Foundation NewsletterResources:Mark Bjornsgaard on LinkedIn: Dell's OCP Solutions Propel AI Innovation [07:52]Civo [37:31]Real Time Cloud | GSF If you enjoyed this episode then please either:Follow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsFollow and rate on SpotifyWatch our videos on The Green Software Foundation YouTube Channel!Connect with us on Twitter, Github and LinkedIn!TRANSCRIPT BELOW:Mark Bjornsgaard: The government does need to legislate. There is just not enough structure and there's not enough impetus for people to do the right thing. But the also, and particularly in the UK, what the government needs to do is planning is a huge, huge hurdle. I never really understood that until we'd be working with Deep Green for, you know, building data centers.It is breathtaking how Kafka-esque the planning system in the UK is. It's just, It's beyond insane.Chris Adams: Hello, and welcome to Environment Variables, brought to you by the Green Software Foundation. In each episode, we discuss the latest news and events surrounding green software. On our show, you can expect candid conversations with top experts in their field who have a passion for how to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of software.I'm your host, Chris Adams. Okay, Mark, a few years back, when people were asked what a data center was, if they knew what one was at all, they might talk about some