Greenpeace Alleges Ties Between Bitcoin Mining and Climate Denialists
Greenpeace USA has released a new report claiming that the Bitcoin mining industry has close connections with various “climate denialists.” The report, titled “Mining for Power,” was published on March 19, 2024, and suggests that the BTC mining industry is linked to conservative think tanks, fossil fuel lobbyists, and climate change skeptics. These alleged connections raise doubts about the sustainability claims made by the Bitcoin community.
The investigation conducted by Greenpeace reveals a web of relationships that indicates the mining industry is still entangled with groups and individuals who have historically opposed efforts to combat climate change. One of the most provocative claims in the report is the alleged alignment between the mining sector and networks funded by the conservative Koch brothers and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), both known for their anti-environmental stances and policies deemed anti-democratic.
Furthermore, the report accuses the Bitcoin mining sector of having a “revolving door” relationship with the government, particularly figures from the former Trump administration. This implies an intricate dance of influence and policy manipulation that benefits the mining industry at the expense of environmental progress.
Bitcoin Community Responds
The release of Greenpeace’s report has sparked a strong response from the Bitcoin community, with many challenging its findings and presenting a different perspective on the industry’s environmental impact and sustainability efforts. Daniel Batten, a managing partner at CH4 Capital and an expert in environmental analysis of BTC mining, leads this counter-argument by criticizing Greenpeace for relying on outdated data that no longer accurately represents the current state of BTC mining.
Batten argues that a significant portion of the Bitcoin network now relies on sustainable energy sources, which is supported by recent reports. For example, a Bloomberg Intelligence analysis from September 2023 found that Bitcoin has achieved a 52.6% rate of sustainable energy use.
In addition, Batten disputes the claims about Bitcoin’s carbon footprint, water usage, and strain on electrical grids. He cites peer-reviewed research and expert analysis that contradicts Greenpeace’s conclusions. Some research even suggests that mining can contribute to grid stability, lower electricity costs, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources.
“The only thing breaking is Greenpeace USA’s credibility. One of the features of Greenpeace USA reports is that they are very easy to debunk. You rarely make it past the first paragraph without reading a large swathe of misinformation. This latest report is no exception.”
– Daniel Batten
Echoing Batten’s sentiment, the Satoshi Action Fund (SAF), identified by Greenpeace as a prominent advocate for Bitcoin, highlights its effectiveness and aggressiveness in promoting Bitcoin advocacy in the USA. Dennis Porter, the founder of SAF, stated via X, “HUGE NEWS: GreenPeace highlights Satoshi Act Fund as the most effective and aggressive Bitcoin advocacy group in the USA.”
Moreover, the Bitcoin community receives support from a community note that criticizes Greenpeace’s article for containing outdated information and inaccuracies about the energy sources used in Bitcoin mining. The note states that nowadays, the majority of the energy used by Bitcoin mining is renewable.
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Source: [Greenpeace USA](https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/reports/mining-for-power/)
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