Important facts:
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Bitcoin miners claim that Greenpeace’s claims are based on outdated data.
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Industry leaders say Bitcoin mining emissions are limited by law.
A group of Bitcoin miners has once again rejected environmental association Greenpeace’s allegations regarding the impact of the activity on the environment. In addition to refuting the claims in the entity’s recent report, miners have accused the nonprofit of spreading misinformation about Bitcoin’s energy use.
protector of mining they claim That the benefits of the industry have been well documented by timely and valid studies. Greenpeace USA’s most pessimistic claims are based on discredited and outdated sourcesSays references like Pierre Rochard, vice president of Bitcoin mining company Riot Platforms.
According to Bitcoin miners, those that do not use renewable energy as their main energy resource go out of business. He also argues that Polluting emissions from energy production are already controlled in many places in the worldThat renewable energy is on the rise in the United States and that Bitcoin mining itself is zero emissions.
Some Bitcoin mining companies supported these claims. For example, CleanSpark claimed that 81% of the energy used at its mining sites is carbon-free. Additionally, he claims to have invested millions of dollars in Georgia’s energy infrastructure, including upgrades to substations, transformers, and power lines.
Proponents argue that Bitcoin miners help stabilize, rather than destabilize, the power grid by flexibly scaling their operations based on the needs of the grid. Additionally, they point out that Bitcoin data centers can be turned off during peak hours or in situations of high demand – as reported in CryptoNoticias – and turned back on when demand drops, thereby Contributes to overall energy efficiency.
What does the Greenpeace report say?
He report A March 19, 2024 report by Greenpeace titled “Mining for Power: Connecting Bitcoin Miners, Corporate Interest Groups and Climate Change Deniers” highlights several key points about the environmental impacts of Bitcoin mining.
The report states that Bitcoin emits as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as some industrialized countries, indicating a significant impact on climate change. Besides, It is said that most of the electricity used in Bitcoin mining comes from non-renewable sources. Such as oil, coal and gas, which are further contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
In turn, Greenpeace says, Bitcoin mining requires large amounts of water to cool equipment and generate electricity. In the United States, Bitcoin mining operations use as much water as 300,000 homes, raising concerns about the availability of this vital resource.
Besides, Report highlights connection between Bitcoin mining industry and corporate interest groups and climate change deniers, who “work against the actions needed to address the climate crisis.” This calls into question Bitcoin miners’ claims of promoting renewable energy and power grid stability. Instead, the report suggests that the industry contributes to the problem by providing financial support to fossil fuel industries and encouraging continued reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
