China's massive bitcoin mining could affect its climate change reduction activities, as stated in a new study. Right now, the Asian country's bitcoin mining covers around 75% of the world's total crypto activities. 

"The growing energy consumption and associated carbon emission of Bitcoin mining could potentially undermine global sustainable efforts," said the involved researchers via The Nature Communications Journal

This new research was conducted by various experts from different universities such as Tsinghua University, Cornell University, the University of Surrey, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. 

China Bitcoin Mining Covers 75% of World's Crypto Activities— Here's Why It's Alarming
(Photo : Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
A visual representation of the digital Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin on December 07, 2017 in London, England. Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Lightcoin have seen unprecedented growth in 2017, despite remaining extremely volatile. While digital currencies across the board have divided opinion between financial institutions, and now have a market cap of around 175 Billion USD, the crypto sector coninues to grow, as it continues to see wider mainstreem adoption. The price of one Bitcoin passed 15,000 USD across many exchanges today taking it higher than previous all time highs.

Also Read: Blue Dot Develops New AI for Tax Accounting and Managing, Now Raises $32 Million Budget

The researchers investigated the carbon emission flows of China's bitcoin blockchain operation. They developed a bitcoin blockchain carbon emission model to gather the needed info. 

After studying the Asian country's bitcoin mining, the new study's experts discovered that China's annual energy consumption of bitcoin blockchain could reach 296.59 TWh (TeraWatt/Hour). 

Why China's bitcoin mining is alarming

The involved scientists and experts also claimed that China's bitcoin mining could generate around 130.50 million metric tons of carbon emission by 2024. CNBC also reported that the country's bitcoin carbon footprint could be as big as one of its ten largest cities. 

China Bitcoin Mining Covers 75% of World's Crypto Activities— Here's Why It's Alarming
(Photo : Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
A visual representation of the digital Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin on October 24, 2017 in London, England. Cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Lightcoin have seen unprecedented growth in 2017, despite remaining extremely volatile. While digital currencies across the board have divided opinion between financial institutions, and now have a market cap of around 175 Billion USD, the crypto sector coninues to grow, as it sees wider mainstreem adoption.

What makes this activity alarming is that it relies on computers that use huge amounts of electricity, especially when the bitcoin miner is trying to do it on a large scale. 

On the other hand, President Xi Jinping also predicted last 2020 that the Asian country would reach its peak carbon emissions by 2030, which is only a few years from what the scientists predicted. But, he added that China would achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

However, the country's bitcoin mining could compromise this plan if China continues to use it at the rate it is going.  

Why it is getting worse 

Experts said that China's bitcoin mining will get worse if the government will not implement the needed feasible policies and interventions. They added that this activity could also affect the country's plans of reducing its carbon emissions.

If you want to know more details, all you need to do is click this link

For more news updates about China's bitcoin mining and other related studies, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

Related Article: Cryptocurrency Analyst Predicts Ethereum Breakout to Hit $3,285 and Bitcoin Bull Cycle to Top at $83,000

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by: Giuliano de Leon

ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Discussion