Re:Bitcoin is an Energy Hog
by Uehreka on Wednesday December 27, 2017 @05:17PM
(#16018525)
I'm with you about half way. Sure, if we produce more power than we consume and we aren't using carbon-emitting power sources then there's no reason to dial this back so long as miners are willing to pay for the power and infrastructure to keep it going.
The problem of course is that China is still getting most of its power from fossil fuels (the rosy numbers they often promote usually end with "by 2050"). Given that the environmental effects of bitcoin's fossil fuel usage may not be borne by the people buying/mining bitcoin, it doesn't make sense to expect the market to price it in.
Edit: I mention China because that's where a lot of bitcoin is mined due to cheap electricity.
The problem of course is that China is still getting most of its power from fossil fuels (the rosy numbers they often promote usually end with "by 2050"). Given that the environmental effects of bitcoin's fossil fuel usage may not be borne by the people buying/mining bitcoin, it doesn't make sense to expect the market to price it in.
Edit: I mention China because that's where a lot of bitcoin is mined due to cheap electricity.