The appropriate answer (widely accepted by economists [0]) is a carbon tax and dividend, such that the externality is assigned a proportionate price signal. Thi

The appropriate answer (widely accepted by economists [0]) is a carbon tax and dividend, such that the externality is assigned a proportionate price signal. This additional price burden would be factored into the Proof of Work, and might provide additional incentive to migrate to Proof of Stake, or a low-energy Proof of Work algo. (This might eventually happen anyway, due to competitive pressures of transaction costs). We can argue until the cows come home about which energy expenses increase human well-being, and which are “wasteful” (Adam Smith hated opera and thought it was a waste of money), but the only fair answer is to ask individuals and firms to pay their fair share proportional to usage, be it crypto mining or cloud marketing analytics or Christmas lights. [0] https://clcouncil.org/economists-statement/ https://clcouncil.org/economists-statement/