The problem of the impact on the climate of Bitcoin mining

Will the carbon footprint of the first cryptocurrency mining become a barrier in its path?

"Bitcoin uses more electricity per transaction than any other method known to mankind, and therefore it is not a good thing for the climate" , - said the businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates in an interview with the journalist of CNBC and the New York Times Andrew Ross Sorkin (Andrew Ross Sorkin ).

First, about why this is happening.

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It is also possible to use the heat generated by mining equipment for domestic purposes - heating homes or greenhouses. This will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions from coal and hydrocarbon-fired boilers and heating units.

In addition, the use of sidechains such as the Lightning Network, if it does not reduce the overall energy consumption, will significantly increase the number of transactions, thereby significantly reducing the energy consumption per transaction.

Bitcoin is a constantly evolving engineering and technological system. For 12 years, he has overcome many barriers in his path. I hope he will overcome this environmental obstacle as well.