This episode delves into the murky world of cryptocurrency and its impact on our planet. Join Katharine and Leah as they discover how digital currencies are breathing new life into previously shuttered coal plants across the United States.
This episode features Alex de Vries, data scientist and founder of Digiconimist, an online platform that tracks Bitcoin’s energy consumption; Anne Hedges, the director of policy and legislative affairs at watchdog organization Montana Environmental Information Center; and New York State Assemblymember Anna Kelles, who sponsored a bill to establish a two-year moratorium on crypto mining in New York.
Leah mentions this White House report about the climate impacts of cryptocurrency. Alex points out how famous cryptographer Hal Finney foresaw crypto’s huge emissions from the start. Anne mentions how China cracked down on cryptocurrency, which has pushed companies to operate in other nations, including the United States. Assemblymember Kelles warns that Bitcoin won’t deliver on equity or access to wealth: roughly 0.01% of wallets hold 27% of the currency. On the bright side, Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, just reduced its energy consumption 99% by switching to proof-of-stake.
Next time, we’ll look at the fight for climate accountability within corporate America. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and don’t miss a single episode this season!
Live Episode: A Climate Book Talk with Rebecca Solnit
The Tongass: A Way Forward For The Forest
The Journey of Justice40
The ‘Darth Vader’ of Electric Utilities
The Case of the Killer Heat
New Year’s Reflections, Resolutions, and Inspiration from Sherri Mitchell
Petrochemicals and Plastics: A Fossil Fuel Lifeline?
Bold vs. BS in Corporate Climate Pledges
How To Cope with All the Climate Feels
Live Episode: Vice President Kamala Harris on Climate Leadership, Justice, and Solutions
“What Can I Do?” Part 3 — The Political
“What Can I Do?” Part 2 — The Professional
“What Can I Do?” Part 1 — The Personal
Welcome to Season 3 of A Matter of Degrees
This is a Big (Climate) Deal: What’s in the Inflation Reduction Act?
How Gender Equality Can Save The Planet
Paid in Blood
The ‘Win-Win-Win’ Strategy To Retire Coal
The ‘Bond Vigilante’ Exposing Fossil Fuel Risk
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