it's not FUD, it's a real problem. I think those who deny this are the same people who deny global warming. Bitcoin protocol has an infinite demand for more and more energy. People like to say that banks spend more energy, but what's the difference in scale? Any honest analysis must consider the scale.
certain stat sites estimate that US 'spends' $10.7trill a year
bitcoin does about $1.05b a day $383b a year
so the scale of value is ~28x
16,500,000,000,000kwh for the us to 'spend' its money
16.5pwh a year
16,500twh a year
1,884gwh per hour(1.88twh per hour)
110exahash /110thash= 1mill s19pro asics at 3.25kwh per 110thash
3,250,000kwh per hour
3.25gwh per hour
so lets see the difference
dollar vs btc
US 1884gw btc 3.25gw
US $10.7trill btc $383bill (10.7t is 28x more then $383b)
____________________ (divide the 1884 and 10.7 by 28 to get fiat equivalent to btc value moved cost)
US 67gw btc 3.25gw
US $383b btc $383b
so yea a direct comparison for fiat $1 per kw and btc value $1 per kw
the btc is actually ~20x BETTER than fiat
..
as for 'global warming'.. not all countries will get 'warming' .. thats why climate change is a better buzzword. because some countries will see a cooling effect.
as for the inner debates of causes.. yes humans caused it.. but its not only/majorly carbon as the weapon. its actually the alteration of nature to effect the water cycle thats the main factor
(less fresh water naturally flowing on land = less evaporation=less clouds= less cooling and less snow to replenish the poles
- due to (dams)reservoir hoarding. pipes, plumbing, sewers = water unable to be evaporated if its trapped out of the sun)
and yes have 5 litres in a pool(reservoir) vs 5 litres spread out as a thin puddles/streams.. the puddle/stream evaporates more then the pooled reservoir. so yes dam reservoirs actually damage the water cycle compared to just letting the streams and rivers flow over natural unpiped land