Bitcoiners are protecting, while EU nations are destroying the environment

[Markinzo]

Recently European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen raised an alarm that because of Russia’s war in Ukraine most European nation are reverting to using coal for power generation. He retreated that instead of investments in gas infrastructure, renewables or other alternatives, the extension of coal mining is considered the quickest and most viable solution for these European countries. We all understand that these EU nations need alternative source of power but the truth is that they are destroying the environment they claim to love dearly.
 
If it was Bitcoin operations, the entire so-called environmentalist would raise alarm and propose the ban of mining. This year Erik Thedéen , the vice chairman of the European Securities and Markets Authority mentioned that bitcoin mining was doing harm to the environment and was setting back efforts to combat climate change. He further suggested outright ban of all forms of bitcoin mining that uses up an excessive amount of energy because it poses a threat to the continent’s climate goals. Crypto critics would quickly publicize  the claim that cryptocurrencies was now consuming more electricity than Argentina , New York or Belgium. Now all of them are silent that instead of investing in other green energy source, Europe is destroying Mother Earth with coal. Where is Bill Gate, Fahad Kamal, Nouriel Roubin, Elon Musk and other environmental champions? They are all silent.

But cryptocurrency mining industry has embarked on a rebranding effort to challenge the prevailing view that its electricity-guzzling computers are harmful to the climate. All five of the largest publicly traded crypto mining companies say they are building or already operating plants powered by renewable energy, and industry executives have started arguing that demand from crypto miners will create opportunities for wind and solar companies to open facilities of their own. According to the Bitcoin Mining Council , the worldwide Bitcoin mining sector is being powered by an estimated 58.5 per cent renewable energy by the fourth quarter of 2021.  Its now very clear that Bitcoiners are now more environmntal friendly than EU.

Politics is all there is at the international globe and  EU is not exempted from that. It's a great thing to know that cryptocurrency miners are doing all their best to create a mining system that is environmental friendly , that alone would to an extent shut the voice of Bitcoin critics at the end of the day when the plan is actualized to it's full potential.

The countries that have diverted to the use of coal for electricity production are also members of the EU and as such it's not surprising that no alarm has been made on the act, such actions could only discourage other countries struggling to develop renewal energy resources to drag feet.

[bustabitsboy]

Recently European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen raised an alarm that because of Russia’s war in Ukraine most European nation are reverting to using coal for power generation. He retreated that instead of investments in gas infrastructure, renewables or other alternatives, the extension of coal mining is considered the quickest and most viable solution for these European countries. We all understand that these EU nations need alternative source of power but the truth is that they are destroying the environment they claim to love dearly.
 
If it was Bitcoin operations, the entire so-called environmentalist would raise alarm and propose the ban of mining. This year Erik Thedéen , the vice chairman of the European Securities and Markets Authority mentioned that bitcoin mining was doing harm to the environment and was setting back efforts to combat climate change. He further suggested outright ban of all forms of bitcoin mining that uses up an excessive amount of energy because it poses a threat to the continent’s climate goals. Crypto critics would quickly publicize  the claim that cryptocurrencies was now consuming more electricity than Argentina , New York or Belgium. Now all of them are silent that instead of investing in other green energy source, Europe is destroying Mother Earth with coal. Where is Bill Gate, Fahad Kamal, Nouriel Roubin, Elon Musk and other environmental champions? They are all silent.

But cryptocurrency mining industry has embarked on a rebranding effort to challenge the prevailing view that its electricity-guzzling computers are harmful to the climate. All five of the largest publicly traded crypto mining companies say they are building or already operating plants powered by renewable energy, and industry executives have started arguing that demand from crypto miners will create opportunities for wind and solar companies to open facilities of their own. According to the Bitcoin Mining Council , the worldwide Bitcoin mining sector is being powered by an estimated 58.5 per cent renewable energy by the fourth quarter of 2021.  Its now very clear that Bitcoiners are now more environmntal friendly than EU.

Politics is all there is at the international globe and  EU is not exempted from that. It's a great thing to know that cryptocurrency miners are doing all their best to create a mining system that is environmental friendly , that alone would to an extent shut the voice of Bitcoin critics at the end of the day when the plan is actualized to it's full potential.

The countries that have diverted to the use of coal for electricity production are also members of the EU and as such it's not surprising that no alarm has been made on the act, such actions could only discourage other countries struggling to develop renewal energy resources to drag feet.

This is true. At a time when some countries are taking measures to save the environment, Europe is starting to heat the stove with coal. Wonderful! What can happen next? Start hunting for wild animals? Until countries come to a consensus on the environment and settle political conflicts, there is no need to talk about any environmental protection.

[Darker45]

In all fairness, it's not as if this regressive step of turning back to the use of coal is something they want to do. Many of them have long been on the road to reduce, if not totally eradicate, the use of coal. But it seems they're left with no choice, at least for now.

To me, however, this is the right thing to do, the lesser evil, because the other option is to tolerate Putin's madness and desire to wreak violence and death on an independent nation and a peaceful people.

I believe this regression is merely an emergency step.

[Mehdialiakbar]

The narrative of the Crypto Critics will never stop, it will continue and influence the thinking of any country that tries to support Bitcoin mining. The reason it will stay the same year after year is bitcoin mining destroys the environment blah blah blah and blah. It is indeed their duty when they are not paid in fiat. No wonder every crypto critic appears, that's where ban after ban must have linked the issue of unfriendly Bitcoin mining.

Why are they silent on giant corporations? even Securities wilted to speak. You know they have a stake in it and keep it profitable long term. The EU countries have to clean up the madmen if they are to grow in terms of future economic growth mechanisms.

[NeuroticFish]

but in regards to "it's not the fault of politicians", from what I hear a lot of voters are quite shocked because they would have expected quite the opposite from the people they put in charge in the past. They are going rogue in the EU right now.

Well, maybe I should have been writing instead "we're all just as guilty as the politicians"...
The politicians (at least in my country) have noticed that the lack of (voters') education has a better chance to keep them re-elected. Of course, this also means that the newer politicians are also uneducated, especially as this situation exist for more than 30 years here. I'd expect it happens in a similar way in (too) many countries.
"The voters" are shocked because of their unrealistic expectations. As I said, politicians are.. politicians, not some smart technical people.


I've watched these days, yet again, The Hobbit movies. Just look at Alfrid Lickspittle character (nicely played by Ryan Gage). That's what most politicians are.

They justify it with their fight against child pornography.

They always find some very good reasons for they actions, and those actions do much more harm than necessary, those actions restrict the law abiding citizen more than they should just because the politicians cannot do better (or don't want to). Of course, in most cases the bad people have plenty of way to go around all the restrictions imposed, and the politicians get more power and also they give the impression they care and they do something.

So if you send a picture of a little kid that's part of your family to your wife, the kid's grandma or whatever, your name might immediately be broadcasted to a list for potential criminals.

There's nothing new, really. 25 years ago (or more) the same was happening with e-mails. You were writing that "my fart sounds like a bomb", you were becoming potential terrorist because you are mailing something about bomb. This is the same thing, just adapted to the new era.

It's sad that tools (operating systems, communication software) are created with holes into them specifically to help government keep an eye on people, then everybody is shocked that the holes are exploited by hackers.

The non-custodial wallet regulation is also insane. If I understand that correctly, you need to go through KYC with a registered company for every single wallet you hold the keys to. Holy Christ. I guess you know how many wallets the old guys from this forum often have?

All I can hope is that sooner or later the database will get more expensive than its use. Because I would not be surprised they want this information about all possible addresses 
But seriously, yes, this is the direction they take. Since they cannot do better in checking on how the bad guy get money and spend the money, they check everybody (of course excepting the actual bad guys, since those will know how to hide).

I wonder whether these regulations actually foster tax evasion rather than prevent it.

Your logic went to the correct point! Indeed, whoever wants to hide, has all the means. And even those who don't really want to hide, may do it simply because they get fed up with filling KYC info over and over again.
And, as I said, the wrongdoers do hide anyway (and most still use fiat, actually).

[kryptqnick]

This war has many negative effects, and among them is indeed the choice of getting back to bad sources of energy (relying on them more heavily than before) instead of trying to take it as a sign that it's time to finally abandon oil, gas and coal for better sources, even if it gets more expensive initially. And I do agree that it's unfair to turn a blind eye to these events while blaming the crypto industry which isn't as bad for the environment as many believe. That's why I think that the environmental legislation must target high-end consumers that get energy from sources with high environmental impact, not on Bitcoiners or crypto miners.

[eaLiTy]

~
All five of the largest publicly traded crypto mining companies say they are building or already operating plants powered by renewable energy, and industry executives have started arguing that demand from crypto miners will create opportunities for wind and solar companies to open facilities of their own.  

the worldwide Bitcoin mining sector is being powered by an estimated 58.5 per cent renewable energy by the fourth quarter of 2021.  Its now very clear that Bitcoiners are now more environmntal friendly than EU.

I will not be claiming that Bitcoiners are protecting the environment, but it is a fact that the blame of exploiting the nature is tagged upon the BTCitcoin community for a while even though majority of the big miners are using renewable energy and it is sad to see that we still have a tag and gets blamed. 

EU nations has to find a renewable energy source and majority of the countries should follow Iceland as they have the highest share of renewable energy in Europe and hopefully we will stop hearing the blame game in the future.

[Lucius]

I will not be claiming that Bitcoiners are protecting the environment, but it is a fact that the blame of exploiting the nature is tagged upon the BTCitcoin community for a while even though majority of the big miners are using renewable energy and it is sad to see that we still have a tag and gets blamed. 

I always say that Bitcoin is at the bottom in terms of how much it contributes to environmental pollution, but surprisingly it is always at the top when someone should be blamed for rising temperatures, endless masses of plastic and waste in the oceans, or perhaps cutting forests in the heart of the Amazon or around the world. This imposition of guilt will not stop even if mining is switched to 100% renewable energy, one should not be deceived about it.
 

EU nations has to find a renewable energy source and majority of the countries should follow Iceland as they have the highest share of renewable energy in Europe and hopefully we will stop hearing the blame game in the future.

Iceland relies on hydro and geothermal energy, and the EU, as far as I know, has long since given up the construction of large hydropower plants, because regardless of the fact that they produce clean energy, the construction of such existences directly affects the environment, because large accumulation lakes have to be built, and that in most cases means relocating people from their homes - which is always a very sensitive issue.

As for geothermal energy, it is true that it has huge potential, especially in some parts of the EU - but the gas/oil lobby still does not allow this resource to be exploited.

The countries of the Pannonian basin, namely Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Romania and Croatia sit on huge potential for geothermal energy that is so far very much untouched. While there are various geothermal heating plants in Hungary, and one power plant, the wider application of geothermal be it for heating only or also for power is so far very much underrepresented. The Pannonion basis provides higher temperature gradients than the average of Europe, actually around 10 degrees Celsius per 1,000 meters of depth.

[stompix]

EU nations has to find a renewable energy source and majority of the countries should follow Iceland as they have the highest share of renewable energy in Europe and hopefully we will stop hearing the blame game in the future.

It's not that simple.
Iceland can do this because it sits in the perfect place and has an enormous population of 300 000 people.
All the renewables in Ireland produce 22Thw a year, from 775 MW geothermal capacity, the US has 3,567 MW installed.

What works on a small scale won't be able to function once you use it for large countries, you will need 100 times the entire production capacity of Iceland to keep lights running in Germany for example. Or a better example, Salvador has a potential or 644 MW of geothermal energy, all the potential energy explored won't cover even 60% of the consumption.

[bustabitsboy]

In all fairness, it's not as if this regressive step of turning back to the use of coal is something they want to do. Many of them have long been on the road to reduce, if not totally eradicate, the use of coal. But it seems they're left with no choice, at least for now.

To me, however, this is the right thing to do, the lesser evil, because the other option is to tolerate Putin's madness and desire to wreak violence and death on an independent nation and a peaceful people.

I believe this regression is merely an emergency step.

Do you really think that Putin is now sitting and crying that Europe wants to give up Russian gas? Russia is currently establishing a sales market in the eastern and southern countries. sales there will be much more than in Europe. The problems of Europe concern only the people living in it. And you can tell that you heat the stove with wood for any reason. Fact is fact. European countries are sliding into the abyss at a rapid pace and unfortunately this phenomenon is not temporary.

[Ahli38]

I see and think that the critics who always talks about protecting the environment and always corners bitcoin mining which they call not environmentally friendly. I think they don't talk because they love the environment. they only talk about things that are in their favor. like the case described by the OP. It is proof. the haters even turn a blind eye when in front of them it has been explained that many bitcoin miners are now using renewable energy that is more environmentally friendly. but they don't seem to want to see the goodness of bitcoin. they just keep seeing the bad side of it. they are constantly looking for loopholes to vilify bitcoin. so I think they are critics who always corner bitcoin for reasons of protecting the environment, actually they are talking not because they are environmentalists but because they do have an interest in it. and they are only selfish and don't really care about the environment. for example they close their eyes and close their mouths when there are other things that clearly damage the environment.