The Cost of Encryption – Poetry of Science

On the flat ground
Nothing grows
But the wires,
The buzz of effort
Sink into the soil.
Miles away,
A child coughs
Next to the cracked window –
have no idea
Wind
Other people’s wealth
Through their lungs.
Fly ash settlement
Like snow
In one place
Never asked
Flashing.

The poem was inspired by recent research that found that bitcoin mining in the United States was more laborious than Los Angeles, mainly from fossil fuels.

In recent years, Bitcoin has become a household name – a digital currency created by solving the complex challenges of a huge computer network. These “mines” may be virtual, but they have very real consequences. To continue running, they used amazing electricity, most of which was produced by burning fossil fuels. This use of electricity helps air pollution, especially those made up of tiny particles that can be harmful to breathing. The full environmental impact of this digital gold rush is still in focus – and it feels not uniform.

This study closely monitors the 34 largest bitcoin mines operating in the U.S. in 2022-2023. It tracks where their electricity comes from and which communities are most affected by air pollution. Together, these mines utilize more power than the entire city of Los Angeles, with the vast majority coming from sources of pollution. The study estimates that 1.9 million people are subject to increased levels of particle pollution – usually far from the mine itself. New York City and parts of Texas have the highest exposure rates and the most severe health risks. This work helps us understand the hidden labor costs of digital currencies and raises big questions about who is paying for their continued growth.