Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Pakpour: If the enemy makes a mistake, we will respond forcefully, just as we have over the past 12 days
Macron: Reaffirmed importance of using the path of negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities
Macron: Told 'Israel's' Netanyahu that he shares with him the objective that Iran should never have nuclear weapon
Macron: Reaffirmed to 'Israel's' Netanyahu the need for ceasefire in Gaza
Macron: Spoke to Netanyahu, highlighted mportance of respecting 'Israel'/Iran ceasefire
Iranian Health Ministry: Israeli aggression on Iran has resulted in the martyrdom of 627 people and the injury of 4,870 others across various provinces of the country
Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters mourns its commander, Ali Shadmani, who succumbed to severe wounds sustained during last week's Israeli aggression on Iran
Hamas: Any agreement must guarantee a cessation of aggression and war against our people, a permanent ceasefire, and a complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip
Hamas: We affirm our continued positive engagement with the mediators' efforts and with any serious ideas or proposals that could lead to a comprehensive agreement
US President Donald Trump: US will talk with Iran next week

Change in coding could reduce bitcoin energy consumption

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 Mar 2022 09:53
4 Min Read

Climate groups say a change in coding can reduce bitcoin energy consumption by 99%.

  • x
  • Change in coding could reduce bitcoin energy
    Changes in coding could reduce bitcoin energy.

Some statistics revealed that bitcoin mining already consumes as much energy as Sweden, and its brisk popularity is reviving failed fossil fuel firms in the United States. According to a campaign started on Tuesday, all of that might be altered with a simple adjustment in the way it is coded.

Modify the Code, Not the Climate, a campaign coordinated by the Environmental Working Group, Greenpeace USA, and other groups fighting bitcoin mining operations in their towns, is calling on bitcoin to change the way bitcoins are mined to reduce its massive carbon footprint.

Bitcoin's software code, known as "proof of work," necessitates the deployment of large computer arrays to validate and secure transactions. Proof of work is a method of verifying that a miner has solved the exceedingly difficult cryptographic puzzles required to contribute to the bitcoin ledger.

A competing cryptocurrency Ethereum is switching to a new mechanism called "proof of stake," which it thinks will cut its energy use by 99%. Miners promise their currencies to verify transactions under the proof of stake model; adding incorrect information results in fines.

Read more: Cryptocurrency: Where Is It Heading?

With the value and use of cryptocurrencies increasing, the organizers of the campaign claim that bitcoin must follow suit or find another, less energy-intensive approach. "This is a major issue. In part because of where the business is currently, but also because we are concerned about its growth," said Michael Brune, Sierra Club campaign director, and former executive director.

Related News

Trump demands Israeli courts stop Netanyahu's 'witch hunt'

Iran to forcefully respond to any Israeli, US aggression: IRGC chief

Following China's crackdown on mining and trade last May, the United States currently leads the world in cryptocurrency mining.

“Coal plants which were dormant or slated to be closed are now being revived and solely dedicated to bitcoin mining. Gas plants, which in many cases were increasingly economically uncompetitive, are also now being dedicated to bitcoin mining. We are seeing this all across the country,” said Brune.

Brune added, “It’s particularly painful to see this in the electric sector because that is precisely the place where the US has made most of its progress in the last decade."

“There’s no way we can reach our climate goals if we are reviving fossil fuel plants."

Some bitcoin miners have recently begun employing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to power their operations. While such measures are "obviously well-intentioned," Brune believes that "few boutique winds or solar plants powering a few high-profile mining activities" will not be adequate to offset the environmental cost. “Fossil fuel growth is outpacing renewable growth in bitcoin mining and that’s the fundamental challenge,” Brune said.

The basic issue will remain that bitcoin's programming "incentivizes maximal energy use," according to Chris Larsen, creator and executive chairman of the crypto firm Ripple and a climate activist. “The minute that there is the opportunity to go to something dirty, which is what you are seeing, that is going to happen.”

Read more: The White House Considers Measures to Monitor Cryptocurrency Use

One “nightmare scenario”, he said, is that the world does get to a renewable future in China, the US, and the EU, but countries rich in fossil fuel switch to bitcoin mining to keep their operations running.

“Imagine the Saudis sitting on all that oil, which has a cost of about ½ cent per kilowatt-hour – no renewable can match that,” Larsen said. “Bitcoin mining could be this endless monetization engine for fossil fuels. That would be a nightmare.”

The campaign will kick off with digital ads in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Marketwatch, Politico, Facebook, and other outlets. Organizers are also suing planned mining sites and leveraging their massive membership to pressure bitcoin's major investors and influencers to advocate for a code update. "There has to be a better solution in this world, with all these educated people," Larsen remarked.

  • Bitcoin
  • greenpeace
  • EU
  • China
  • European Union
  • United States

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli army vehicles are seen during an invasion in the West Bank city of Jenin, Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Politics

Israeli military faces key weaponry shortages: NBC News

Rutte raises eyebrows by calling Trump 'the Daddy' at NATO summit
Politics

Rutte causes stir calling Trump 'Daddy' at NATO summit

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director General, delivers his speech after inaugurating the WHO Academy campus which promotes lifelong learning across the health sector, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Over 40, including children, killed in Sudan hospital attack: WHO

Trump and Hegseth cast doubt on damage to Iran’s nuclear sites
Politics

Trump, Hegseth admit inconclusivity over Iran nuclear damage

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS