Datacenters driving US clean energy growth while still threatening climate
theguardian.comAs datacenters' connections to electric grids are held up, big tech is forced to throw money at producing its own power. Datacenters are driving unprecedented growth in the US clean energy industry, paradoxically boosting a sector that was sputtering before the artificial intelligence boom.
- If a technology creates the incentive for clean energy investment but also massively increases energy consumption, is that actually good for fighting climate change? Why or why not?
- Tech companies are building their own power plants instead of waiting for the grid to be updated. Does this suggest the market works better than government planning, or does it just mean rich companies get energy while others wait?
Not so empty nesters: record-high number of US adults under 35 live at home, new data says
theguardian.comData shows that the increase in at-home living stems from high housing costs rather than labor market conditions. A record number of the US's young adults were living with their parents last year.
- Is it a problem if young adults live with parents because housing is too expensive, or could this actually be a better way to live compared to taking on huge debt? What are the real trade-offs?
- How does this compare to living situations for young people in Vietnam and Asia? What does it tell us about different economic systems and family structures?
Federal Reserve holds rates steady but signals possible hike before year's end
theguardian.comOpen markets committee says 'economic activity is expanding at a solid pace' in first meeting under new chair Kevin Warsh. US stock markets dropped on Wednesday afternoon after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and signaled a possible rate hike before the end of the year.
- Why would the stock market fall when the Fed just said the economy is doing well and only might raise rates later? What does this tell you about how markets and actual economic reality might be different things?
- If you were a young person trying to save money or buy something, would you want interest rates to go up or down? Who benefits and who loses from each choice?
Oil and gas unlikely to return to prewar prices for months even if Hormuz reopens
theguardian.comMarkets welcome US-Iran peace deal but prices may stay high as buyers race to refill depleted emergency crude stockpiles.
- Even though a peace deal should make oil cheaper, prices might stay high because countries are rushing to buy. Is this how markets are supposed to work, or is something broken about how we trade commodities?
- How does oil price stability matter for Vietnam and Southeast Asia compared to the US or Europe? Who is most vulnerable when energy prices jump around?
'It's a scam': Americans express unease over SpaceX's influence on retirement savings
theguardian.comGuardian readers in the US share concerns about how the SpaceX IPO and AI boom affect their retirement accounts. Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire last week.
- If someone becomes a trillionaire while regular people worry about retirement, what does that tell you about whether the economic system is fair? Is this a problem that needs fixing, or just how markets work?
- When your retirement savings are invested in companies like SpaceX, whose interests are you really supporting, and does it matter ethically if you don't have a choice?
Europe's ultra-rich: Which countries are adding the most $30m+ millionaires?
euronews.comEurope's ultra-rich population has surged by a quarter over the past five years. On average, more than 20 people join the continent's $30m+ wealth club every day, while 89 people worldwide cross the $30 million wealth threshold daily.
- If wealth is concentrating at the top at this speed, what does that mean for regular people's chances of building wealth, and is that something societies should try to change?
- When you see statistics about ultra-rich growth, how much should young people like you care about it? Does it affect your life, or is wealth concentration only a problem if it's extreme?