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> So immediately not using Bitcoin would save as much CO2 as 4.5 million cars of the road Which would have zero net effect on climate change (total number of c
by Udik 5y ago
> So immediately not using Bitcoin would save as much CO2 as 4.5 million cars of the road
Which would have zero net effect on climate change (total number of cars in the world is 1.4 billion). Conversely, transition all cars to electric, renewable sources and dirty bitcoin emissions still won't be a problem (assuming they can be capped at some value instead of growing indefinitely).
In other words, current bitcoin contribution to climate change is the last of our problems- for now. But I understand that the idea of such an amazing amount of energy being wasted is something that immediately triggers an innate sense of abhorrence.
- soonnow 5y agoWell it's not nothing, just because it's less than the big contributors. Transitioning 1.4 billion cars to electric is going to take a long time. I don't see the majority of cars transitioned within the next 30 years. Bitcoin is, as you said just burning of energy and can be replaced with coins that are a lot more efficient, within a much shorter timeframe. It seems like it's an incredibly easily reachable goal for politicians without hurting a lot of people, which is why I assume it's gonna happen. Many times in climate change policy decisions has symbolism been more important than actual impact otherwise all cows would've transitioned to low methane producing food a while ago. Instead big western countries are making short flights illegal. These flights are producing no significant impact and yet they are made illegal for symbolism. Though for Bitcoin I does trigger my own sense of wastefulness. Maybe it's jealousy.