The Great Data Center of Greenland (The Roundup)
Arctic Sentry, China's Emissions, the Endangerment Finding Repealed + all the important stories you've missed (Feb 15, 2026)
👋 Welcome to A World Reconfigured - your guide to a world changed by climate, geopolitics and technology. I write about how climate change is creating a new world with new rules, and often cover topics like the ❄️Arctic, 🤷♂️Rare Earths and 💻Data Centers.
If you happened to receive this email from a friend, please consider subscribing. If you’re already a part of this community, I’d love it if you could recommend it to a friend.
Hey there folks!
As world leaders gather at the Munich Security Conference, I’m here to remind you that the world doesn’t stop to convene, so here’s the weekly roundup for you!
Before we start, last week I published some thoughts about how recent US moves to bolster critical mineral supply chains like Vault and FORGE can create a big opportunity for startups:
On Startups and Stockpiles
👋 Welcome to A World Reconfigured - your guide to a world changed by climate, geopolitics and technology. I write about how climate change is creating a new world with new rules, and often cover topics like the ❄️Arctic, 🤷♂️Rare Earths and 💻Data Centers
I want to see you prove me wrong would love to hear your feedback, and if you’re in this space - would love to hear from you!
Hope you enjoy this roundup!
Arod
TL;DR
The Bigger Things
NATO launches Arctic Sentry Mission (sounds like we’re in X-Men or something)
China’s Emissions Fall Flat (down but not out)
US repeals the endangerment finding (“Objection!” is going to be the word of 2026)
The Smaller Things
Washington State wants data centers to bring their own energy (does energy come in six packs?)
Greenland just might build its first data center (I hear AI loves the cold)
In Other News: Europe can’t make up its mind, Russian tourist town becomes hotspot for shadow fleet, Hornsea 3 starts construction and more
The Bigger Things
The biggest stories you probably missed:
NATO Launches Arctic Sentry
What Happened? NATO launched "Arctic Sentry," a new operation that coordinates existing military drills in the Arctic under one command led by Joint Force Command Norfolk, bringing together exercises to boost the alliance's presence in the region. Arctic Sentry is a response to rising Arctic militarization and growing Chinese influence.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because NATO is trying to get a 2 for 1 combo: Respond to growing ambitions of its rivals, Russia and China, for the Arctic; AND show Trump that NATO takes Arctic security seriously.
My Take: ✍️ Mark Rutte showed once again that he is an adept politician, but I don’t think it’s going to help for the long term. Something gives me the feeling the Greenland saga will have a Part III…
China’s Emission are Falling
What Happened? Whaddayaknow, sometimes there are good news. A new report by Carbonbrief shows that China’s emissions fell by 1% in the last quarter of 2025, extending a tend of “flat or falling” emissions from March 2024.
The decline hit every major sector except chemicals, while solar, wind, nuclear and batteries covered enough new electricity demand to let coal generation fall.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because China is one of the world’s largest emitters, and is an industrial who literally moves the needle. While Washington dismantles climate policy and fights renewables, Beijing's emissions drop (if it holds) delivers both geopolitical leverage and real climate progress.
At the same time, it’s still early to tell whether this is a momentary decline or a structural milestone.
My Take: ✍️ China is proving you can grow and decarbonize at the same time, edging closer to full Electrostate status while the US goes the other direction.
US Repeals the Endangerment Finding
What Happened? While China leads on emissions reduction, the US’s Environmental Protection Agency has repealed the Endangerment Finding of 2009, which effectively serves as the basis for the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon emissions.
This move is framed as the largest act of deregulation in US history and is set to have monumental impacts on the US, and bring about a barrage of legal challenges. Dan Wang was probably right, describing the US a nation of Lawyers (full disclosure: guilty as charged)
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because if courts uphold it, the federal government effectively gives its authority up to regulate emissions from power plants, vehicles and industry, kicking climate policy to states, markets and future administrations.
My Take: ✍️ This could backfire quite spectacularly: it might make states more willing to regulate emissions, as there’s no more federal preemption on carbon regulation. It’s not at all clear that this is the end of carbon emission regulation.
The Smaller Things
The stories you should have on your radar:
Data Center Wars: Washington joins BYO Energy Club
What Happened: Washington state introduced new legislation that mandates data centers to bring their own energy sources and not rely on the grid for power. Washington state joins other states, like Oregon and Minnesota in introducing such legislation (though WA’s bill did not pass yet). The bill comes at a time when lots of people are angry at data centers for hiking their electricity bills.
Not everyone’s sold. Critics argue that BYOE mandates could drive energy prices up, not down.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because this is how the data center wars are being fought: Through state bills, moratoriums and mandates trying to balance affordability with keeping the AI boom from fleeing
My Take: ✍️ Jasmine Sun is right: people hate data centers, and policymakers and lawmakers are trying to deal with the growing frustration with them. I don’t think it will help, though. These solutions are Band-Aids. What the US need is a deep, structural permitting reform that will allow adding more capacity.
The Great Data Center of Greenland
What Happened: A former Trump aide and a former Greenland official want to build a mega AI data‑center campus near Kangerlussuaq, starting at 300MW and maybe growing to 1.5GW.
Why Care? 🤷♂️ Because Greenland has been at the center of news recently, but no one spoke of AI. Whether encouraged by the US government or a pure financial play, a data center built by a US investor might go either way: It will either make things more tense between US and Europe, or it might be cool by everyone.
My Take: ✍️ CALLED IT! The Arctic’s freezing weather is helpful for data centers (at least on paper), and I suspected that the growing need for cooling will get developers to try their luck in the Arctic. I’m not sure it’s a great idea due to the harsh conditions in the region, but sure, why not, give it a shot.
In Other News:
📰 Critical Metals confirms high-grade heavy rare earths at Tanbreez Greenland project (should I pack my bags already?)
📰 Heat pumps still beat gas furnaces in 2025 despite sales dip (Black Eyed Peas were right after all)
📰 New SEC rules made it harder for small shareholders to push companies on climate (I guess I should cancel my next campaign)
📰 Ørsted receives first foundations for world's largest offshore wind farm Hornsea 3 (let’s hope they don’t get second wind)
📰 German Chancellor Merz signals openness to revise or delay EU carbon market rules (Europe make up your mind already!)
📰 Arctic tourist resort Teriberka is becoming a hub for sanctioned Russian LNG tankers (I wonder what the truckstop looks like over there)
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this edition, don’t forget to subscribe or share your thoughts. 🔽
See you next week!