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It's using more energy than most countries: > Current estimates put bitcoin’s energy requirements at around 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, which would rank

by hjek 5y ago

It's using more energy than most countries: > Current estimates put bitcoin’s energy requirements at around 130 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, which would rank it in the top 30 electricity consumers worldwide if it were a country. Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/bitcoin-mining-china-environment-b1811656.html https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/bi...

deleted 5y ago
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matheusmoreira 5y ago
Not even 1%. The USA alone pollutes a ton more and is always utterly unapologetic about it. Historically I don't think they ever adhered to any global effort or treaty to reduce pollution. You have big entrenched organizations such as the oil industry doing far more damage and nobody messes with them. Not to mention the entire developed world's dependency on China for their borderline useless cheap consumer products. This concern over the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies is utterly laughable when you figure out the real source of these problems. I guess they're just too powerful to be messed with.
- hjek 5y ago
  > Nobody messes with them. Well, some environmental activists try by turning off oil valves[0], just like environmental activists are upset with Bitcoin. > You have big entrenched organizations such as the oil industry doing far more damage. People who criticize Bitcoin for its environmental impact don't give a pass to oil companies. The issues overlap, like in Texas where they plug Bitcoin mining rigs straight into the oil well[1]. But I hear you. All big entrenched organizations must be held accountable. Of course. [0]: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/companies-decry-valve-turners-shut-pipelines-61576388 https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/companies-dec... [1]: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/bitcoin-mine-nft-oil-well-viral-b1816478.html https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/bitcoin-mi...
  - matheusmoreira 5y ago
    The problem isn't even bitcoin mining, it's pollution. The energy usage wouldn't matter at all if it was generated via renewable sources such as solar. People who want to see real change need to deal with fossil fuels. Taxing mining operations will do absolutely nothing to solve the actual problems of this world.

by hjek 5y ago

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

matheusmoreira 5y ago

Not even 1%. The USA alone pollutes a ton more and is always utterly unapologetic about it. Historically I don't think they ever adhered to any global effort or treaty to reduce pollution. You have big entrenched organizations such as the oil industry doing far more damage and nobody messes with them. Not to mention the entire developed world's dependency on China for their borderline useless cheap consumer products. This concern over the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies is utterly laughable when you figure out the real source of these problems. I guess they're just too powerful to be messed with.

hjek 5y ago
> Nobody messes with them. Well, some environmental activists try by turning off oil valves[0], just like environmental activists are upset with Bitcoin. > You have big entrenched organizations such as the oil industry doing far more damage. People who criticize Bitcoin for its environmental impact don't give a pass to oil companies. The issues overlap, like in Texas where they plug Bitcoin mining rigs straight into the oil well[1]. But I hear you. All big entrenched organizations must be held accountable. Of course. [0]: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/companies-decry-valve-turners-shut-pipelines-61576388 https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/companies-dec... [1]: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/bitcoin-mine-nft-oil-well-viral-b1816478.html https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/bitcoin-mi...
- matheusmoreira 5y ago
  The problem isn't even bitcoin mining, it's pollution. The energy usage wouldn't matter at all if it was generated via renewable sources such as solar. People who want to see real change need to deal with fossil fuels. Taxing mining operations will do absolutely nothing to solve the actual problems of this world.