Originally published on: December 13, 2024
In a surprising revelation, Bitcoin environmentalist Daniel Batten has identified the “patient zero” of Bitcoin gaslighting as Alex de Vries, the founder of Digiconomist, in 2018. Batten noted that a single commentary by de Vries back in 2018 initiated what he considers to be the source of misinformation regarding Bitcoin’s environmental impact.
Despite not specifying the exact commentary, Batten has previously criticized a report published by de Vries in May 2018 titled “Bitcoin’s Growing Energy Problem.” Digiconomist, known for its dedication to exposing the unintended consequences of digital trends, has since been at the forefront of raising awareness about Bitcoin’s environmental footprint.
According to Batten, data from litmaps indicates that many energy-related news reports and academic commentaries on Bitcoin often refer back to de Vries’ metrics, thereby perpetuating what he calls “Bitcoin gaslighting in the mainstream media.”
While Digiconomist’s “Bitcoin Electronic Waste Monitor” claims that Bitcoin has generated significant electronic waste in the past year, with 230.1 grams per transaction, Batten, a climate tech venture capitalist, argues that the metric is flawed. He asserts that de Vries’ methodology has been debunked in various academic journals, including ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Nature.
Despite ongoing efforts to debunk Bitcoin FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt), Batten acknowledges that there is still much work to be done in educating the public before Bitcoin mining can be seen as a viable part of climate action on a mainstream level.
In response to inquiries, de Vries has not provided a comment at this time. However, it is worth noting that about 54.5% of Bitcoin mining activities reportedly come from sustainable resources, as indicated by the Bitcoin ESG Forecast.
Since Digiconomist began reporting on Bitcoin in 2018, mainstream media outlets have increasingly criticized Bitcoin’s energy consumption. For instance, the Washington Post referred to Bitcoin as an “energy glutton” in a report from October 2018, citing concerns about its potential impact on the planet’s climate.
As discussions surrounding Bitcoin’s environmental impact continue to evolve, it remains crucial to scrutinize the sources of information and ensure accurate reporting on this complex issue. By staying informed and critically evaluating various perspectives, we can better understand the implications of Bitcoin mining in the broader context of climate action.
