As the prices of Bitcoin (BTC) have risen this year, so have the concerns about the energy consumption of cryptocurrency mining. Due to the Proof of Work (PoW) protocol for mining, some estimates suggest that the Bitcoin network uses almost as much energy as Argentina. Therefore, many skeptics are quick to blame the digital currency for carbon emissions and climate change. As a result, although some cryptocurrencies don’t use mining at all, the industry as a whole is often quick to receive blame for its environmental impact.
Some suggest that up to 70% of this energy should come from renewable energy to help reduce the environmental impact. Rather than being burned once, renewable energy can be generated from sunlight, plant growth or other
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