ClimateJuly 13, 2026
moratoria
/ˌmɔːrəˈtɔːriə/
Definition
Official temporary bans or suspensions of a specific activity.
Etymology
The word is the plural of 'moratorium,' which comes from the Late Latin 'moratorius,' meaning 'delaying.' It entered English in the late 19th century to describe the legal authorization to delay the payment of debts.
In the news
State lawmakers are considering moratoria on the construction of new data centers to mitigate concerns regarding their environmental impact and strain on local energy grids.
Microsoft carbon emissions rose 25 percent in 2025 as AI data centers grow
Read the full article ↗The Hill