比特幣礦業的環境影響正在激增

雖然數字錢包變得越來越胖，但《福布斯》報告說，比特幣的環境足跡正隨著價格而聞。

Bitcoin's price movements have certainly grabbed headlines this year, but the cryptocurrency is making news for another reason: its environmental footprint is ballooning alongside its value.

比特幣的價格變動肯定是今年的頭條新聞，但加密貨幣是出於另一個原因而引起的：它的環境足跡正在隨之而來的價值。

According to recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, bitcoin mining now accounts for as much as 2.6% of U.S. electricity consumption—a staggering figure with serious implications. As the Trump administration signals support for the "responsible growth" of digital assets, many are questioning whether environmental sustainability will factor into the conversation, or if the crypto boom will continue unchecked.

根據美國能源信息管理局的最新數據，比特幣開採現在占美國電力消耗的2.6％，這是一個驚人的數字，具有嚴重的影響。當特朗普政府信號支持數字資產的“負責任增長”時，許多人在質疑環境可持續性是否會導致對話，或者加密貨幣繁榮是否會繼續不受組織。

What is Bitcoin mining?

什麼是比特幣開採？

Bitcoin mining is how new bitcoins are created and transactions are verified. It uses a method called proof-of-work (PoW), which requires miners to solve complex cryptographic puzzles. This process is like a race, with miners burning through vast amounts of electricity to be the first to solve the problem and earn bitcoin as a reward. The more miners compete, the more energy is consumed.

比特幣挖掘是如何創建新的比特幣並驗證交易的方式。它使用一種稱為工作證明（POW）的方法，該方法要求礦工解決複雜的加密難題。這個過程就像一場比賽，礦工在大量的電力中燃燒，是第一個解決問題並賺取比特幣作為獎勵的人。礦工競爭的越多，消耗的精力就越多。

Why is bitcoin mining important?

為什麼比特幣開採很重要？

The cryptocurrency's environmental footprint matters because its mining process consumes enormous amounts of energy—much of it coming from polluting, dirty-fuel-based power sources.

加密貨幣的環境足跡很重要，因為其採礦工藝會消耗大量能源，其中包括污染，基於骯髒的燃料電源。

According to Forbes, "Large-scale mining operations have been blamed for increasing grid stress, driving up electricity prices, used for cooling massive mining rigs, and generating waste heat."

根據《福布斯》的說法，“大規模的採礦作業被指責為增加電網壓力，推動電力價格上漲，用於冷卻巨大的採礦鑽機以及產生廢熱。”

"Bitcoin and other PoW cryptocurrencies rely on an energy-intensive consensus mechanism that requires miners to solve complex cryptographic problems—put simply, they are a race to burn through electricity," writes Forbes contributor Andrew Leahey.

《福布斯》寫道：“比特幣和其他POW加密貨幣依賴於能源密集型共識機制，該機制要求礦工解決複雜的加密問題，簡單地說，它們是通過電力燃燒的競賽。”

The good news is that some bitcoin miners are now turning to renewable energy sources to power their operations. For instance, a large-scale bitcoin mining farm in Kazakhstan is set to be powered by a solar-wind hybrid plant, aiming to generate 100 MW of electricity for both bitcoin mining and the local grid.

好消息是，一些比特幣礦工現在正在轉向可再生能源來為其運營提供動力。例如，哈薩克斯坦一個大規模的比特幣採礦農場將由太陽能混合動力廠提供動力，旨在為比特幣採礦和當地網格發電100兆瓦的電力。

However, despite these efforts, the scale of electricity required remains a significant concern. According to the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance, bitcoin mining's total annualized electricity consumption is estimated to be around 157.96 terawatt-hours (TWh), which is more than the electricity consumed by several mid-sized countries.

但是，儘管做出了這些努力，但所需的電量規模仍然是一個重大問題。根據劍橋替代金融中心的數據，比特幣礦業的年度每年電力消耗估計約為157.96泰表小時（TWH），這遠遠超過了幾個中型國家所消耗的電力。

Moreover, bitcoin mining generates e-waste from outdated hardware, further straining environmental resources and raising concerns about toxic contamination.

此外，比特幣挖掘會產生過時的硬件，進一步的環境資源，並引起人們對有毒污染的擔憂。

Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades?

政府是否應該繼續為節能房屋升級提供稅收優惠嗎？

Absolutely 💯

絕對💯

No

不