from Hacker News

Bitcoin emissions alone could push global warming above 2°C [pdf]

by plesner on 11/1/18, 6:32 AM with 15 comments

  • by _nalply on 11/1/18, 7:32 AM

    Fossil energy is just too cheap. If pollution, climate change and other negative effects were really priced in, Bitcoin miners would stop mining or switch to green energy, for example geothermal in Iceland. After all we know there are big mining farms there already.
  • by FrozenVoid on 11/1/18, 8:21 AM

    There is no reason to assume developing economies suddenly stop using fossil fuels, so the idea is irrelevant. Extrapolated crypto electricity trends are rising until the cost of mining reaches above payout, there is no "exponential curve until it consumes everything".
  • by unimpressive on 11/1/18, 6:44 AM

    Anyone have access to the full text? What's the quality of the analysis look like?
  • by corporateslaver on 11/1/18, 7:09 AM

    What are these people going to do in 25 years when none of these predictions come true? Who will be held accountable for this?
  • by akerro on 11/1/18, 7:12 AM

    How many °C will go up because of wasted power on not turned off computers and AC in bank branches only in US?
  • by chx on 11/1/18, 7:16 AM

    D'oh, I submitted secondary reporting about this yesterday https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18333353 because this one is paywalled.