As the price of bitcoin rises, energy consumption will continue to be a point of debate. Until, that is, we crack fusion or mining is done in space, etc. At the center of the debate the “worth” of energy consumption will remain. How much input for what outcome? Well, bitcoin is already the most transparent energy consuming industry. And it will need to continue to be so for society to accept or tolerate it. At the planet-level, there will be an equilibrium sought between too little and too much. And on the way to that that equilibrium, each attack on bitcoin’s energy consumption will attract unflattering comparisons. “Oh bitcoin consumes too much? What about this other activity? How much do they consume, really?”

Bitcoin might accelerate adoption of renewables, or isolated pockets of energy, but it sure will help us gain better understanding of where we all spend it.