Bill Maher’s Bitcoin criticism sparks debate on energy use

American comedian Bill Maher ignited a heated debate about Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO:BTC) environmental impact during an HBO panel.

Maher, who has over 10 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), compared cryptocurrency’s energy consumption to that of 15.7 million gas-powered cars.

He stated, “Crypto uses 8% of total electricity. Their data centers, their mining, this nonsense of finding a number… It is so ridiculous what crypto really is.”

Maher’s remarks drew swift backlash from the crypto community, particularly from Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Research at Riot Platforms.

Rochard refuted Maher’s claims, pointing to scientific evidence that shows Bitcoin mining does not emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

According to Rochard, a video from Riot Platforms’ mining facility demonstrated that the carbon dioxide levels were comparable to areas dense with vegetation.

Rochard’s argument aligns with recent data indicating that 56.72% of Bitcoin mining now utilizes renewable energy, a significant shift toward greener operations.

Daniel Batten, a Bitcoin environmental analyst, further supported the pro-crypto stance, citing that 10 out of the last 11 peer-reviewed studies showed Bitcoin having positive environmental externalities.

Batten’s perspective highlights the changing landscape of cryptocurrency mining, emphasizing that Bitcoin’s use of renewable energy could challenge traditional criticisms of its environmental impact.

One forward-looking initiative by Agile Energy X, a subsidiary of Japan’s TEPCO, plans to use surplus energy for Bitcoin mining, further demonstrating efforts to harmonize the industry with environmental goals.

According to studies, if Japan achieves its 50% renewable energy goal by 2050, it could utilize surplus energy to mine Bitcoin, generating up to $2.5 billion annually.

At the time of reporting, the Bitcoin price was $63,430.14.