Bitcoin Mining in China Threatens Climate Goals, Study Says
Articles/Websites
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Physics, Economics
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by CNBC
What it is
- In this article, students will learn about cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and the huge amount of energy required to verify cryptocurrency transactions worldwide.
- The article also discusses the vast amount of energy that China's cryptocurrency "mining" operations use and the actions China is taking to address this issue.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This article highlights the unintentional side effects of technological innovations that require significantly more energy or resources.
Additional Prerequisites
- The article is easy to follow and includes hyperlinks to provide additional information.
Differentiation
- This resource could be incorporated into science classes discussing climate change, energy consumption, or technological innovation.
- Economics classes could use this resource when learning about unintended consequences of economic decisions and the globalization of economies.
- Civics classes could research and propose policies or regulations to reduce the climate impact of cryptocurrencies.
- Advanced students could read the scientific report that the article is based on (hyperlinked in the first sentence). Students could assess how accurately the article represents the true findings.
From the scientist review
This resource reports the level of energy consumption from mining Bitcoin in China. This activity undermines China's target of cutting down emissions to achieve net zero emissions in 2050. The resource is recommended for teaching students to understand the intricacies of cryptocurrency and its impact on climate.
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