Bitcoin mines are creating severe noise pollution and other problems. Many people, both ordinary citizens and activists, are campaigning to get the mines shut down.
What is Bitcoin mining?
Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency, a digital alternative to traditional money like dollars and euros. There are two ways to get Bitcoin: you can either buy it from someone else, or “mine” it with computers. Bitcoin uses an extremely large amount of electricity during the mining process. In fact, according to Harvard, American Bitcoin mines use more electricity than the entire city of Los Angeles. Across the world, Bitcoin mining uses more electricity than the entire nation of Pakistan.
When many computers are used to mine Bitcoin, they don’t just use lots of electricity. They also generate heat. Since the computers would break if they became over-heated, huge fans and air conditioning units are used to keep them running. The computers themselves and the cooling machines combine to create a loud, persistent humming noise.
This noise is not just a nuisance. Noise pollution can be extremely harmful to people’s health. Many residents of a Texas town with a Bitcoin mine say they have lost their hearing, developed migraines and even suffered blood clots and heart failure as a result of the mine. Other reported symptoms include tinnitus, vertigo, panic attacks and vomiting. TIME magazine reports that animals are also affected; one dog’s fur fell out after the mine began its operation.
Concerns about noise pollution have led to protests against Bitcoin mines. People in North Carolina and Georgia have blocked the construction of new Bitcoin mines in their cities, towns and counties. A planned Bitcoin mining operation in Mountain City, Tennessee was also canceled after backlash. Residents were worried about health effects of noise pollution after hearing about a Bitcoin mine in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Where are Bitcoin mines located?
Bitcoin mines are found in many countries. In the United States, there are Bitcoin mining operations in several states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas and others. Bitcoin is also mined in nations like Russia, Kazakhstan, Canada, Brazil and others.
Bitcoin mines in Niagara Falls, New York were ordered to shut down due to noise pollution. One woman said she only gets about four hours of sleep each night due to the mine being so noisy. However, the mines continue to operate today.
Can Bitcoin be environmentally friendly?
Theoretically, Bitcoin could continue to exist without mining. After all, the cryptocurrency Ethereum once relied on mining as well, but has now switched to another process called “proof of stake.” Proof of stake uses 99% less energy than mining, making it much more efficient and environmentally-friendly. Most cryptocurrencies have never used mining to begin with, since it is so inefficient.
Can the government ban Bitcoin?
It would be difficult for a government to successfully stop all Bitcoin transactions, however, Bitcoin mining has already been made illegal in many places.
In fact, China was once home to more Bitcoin mines than any other country. However, the government banned Bitcoin mining in 2021 They’re not the only ones. Countries may ban Bitcoin due to environmental concerns, concerns about fraud and money laundering, or concerns about economic instability.
Besides China, Bitcoin is also banned in a few other countries like Tunisia and Bolivia. Bitcoin is also forbidden in Bangladesh. Using it is a crime that can result in serving prison time.
Other countries where Bitcoin is illegal:
• Egypt
• Libya
• Morocco
• Sierra Leone
• Lesotho
• Ghana
• Nepal
• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Myanmar
• Kuwait
• Iraq
• Republic of Congo
• North Macedonia
Other countries may soon follow suit. Unless Bitcoin switches to proof of stake like Ethereum, it is likely that anti-mining protests will continue. In fact, multiple American Bitcoin mines have been sued recently – including one in Bono, Arkansas. People living there say the noise pollution is comparable to “torture.”
Other Problems with Bitcoin Mining
A Bitcoin mine in Pennsylvania has been sued for allegedly burning garbage, dumping mercury into a river and causing air pollution.
Bitcoin mining causes pollution in the form of e-waste as well. Originally, Bitcoin could be mined on a single, ordinary computer. However, Bitcoin is designed to become more difficult to mine over time, theoretically increasing its worth through artificial scarcity. Nowadays, Bitcoin is mined in huge facilities with thousands of computers working at a time.
This demand for computer parts has led to supply chain issues. Modern Bitcoin miners use something called a GPU, a graphics processing unit. These GPUs can be used to mine cryptocurrency, but they are also used to play video games. At times, the demand for GPUs by crypto miners has led to their price rising. At other times, GPUs have gone out of stock. This has led to what Forbes calls a “war” between video game players and Bitcoin miners.
How to Stop Bitcoin Mines
It is easier to prevent a Bitcoin mine from being built than to try to stop it after it is already operating. Unfortunately, many people do not hear about the mine building plans until after the fact. Bitcoin mines are often built in small, rural towns with cheap land.
People should pay attention to their local governments. Make sure your leaders know you don’t want Bitcoin mines being built in your neighborhood. If you hear of a plan to construct a Bitcoin mine nearby, oppose it! It’s a good idea to spread awareness with your local news networks and on social media. You can also contact groups like the National Coalition Against Cryptomining.
