Bitcoin mining consumes vast resources—hundreds of billions of liters of water for cooling and 1,870 square kilometers of land for infrastructure (2020–21 data), per a 2024 Cell Reports Sustainability paper. However, critics like Batten dispute its conclusions, saying it lacks consensus support.
The industry shifted from China to Kazakhstan and the U.S. after China’s 2021 ban. Kazakhstan’s coal-powered mining briefly spiked global emissions before miners were forced out in 2022 due to grid overload.
As mining follows cheap energy, the shift dropped bitcoin’s renewable energy share from 41.6% to 25.1%, raising environmental concerns. Some experts warn that rising bitcoin prices will fuel even greater energy use and emissions.
Views diverge: critics warn of grid strain and inefficiency, while others argue high energy needs could spur renewable adoption. Suggested solutions include regulation, transparency, and switching to greener validation methods like Ethereum's “proof of stake,” which cut energy use by 99.95%.
Local resistance is also growing, with lawsuits and protests emerging in places like Memphis and Texas over environmental and health impacts.