Researchers claim that 74% of studies on blockchain energy “do not build upon existing theories”. Researchers discovered that several studies
The majority of the material on blockchain energy use from academic and popular sources “lacks the scientific rigor anticipated from a mature scientific subject,” according to a recent preprint by academics at the Open University, University of California Berkeley, and Radboud University. The analysis looked over 128 open-source and scientific studies into the carbon emissions of blockchains like Bitcoin.
Then, researchers discovered that an astounding 34% of studies lacked even a clear research strategy. While 67% of studies did not share source code, 43% of studies did not share data. Finally, 79% of research did not address the validity of outside data. Researchers found a number of major errors in their study of studies. First off, studies on blockchain energy frequently use data from the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index and draw their conclusions from it.
However, the source makes it clear that it only collects 32% to 37% of the network’s total computational power. Researchers found a number of major errors in their study of studies. First off, studies on blockchain energy frequently use data from the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index and draw their conclusions from it. However, the source makes it clear that it only collects 32% to 37% of the network’s total computational power. Second, the accuracy of the electricity costs used in these research is questioned.
Researchers discovered that several studies made “no clear” assumptions about how much electricity is used for mining cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, research’ choice of power usage efficacy is generally shrouded in mystery. Researchers also questioned the veracity of statements made on blockchain carbon emissions. They discovered that in some studies, the earlier researchers had simply extrapolated carbon emissions data from 2014 to 2014, from 2019 to 2021, from 2015 to all the way up to 2020, and so on, without using any empirical data. Discussions about the validity of models evaluating the environmental effects of blockchains were encouraged by the report. When evaluating the carbon impact of blockchains, the cryptocurrency community is still sharply divided. According to some, including Miami’s mayor Francis Suarez, 90% of the energy used for bitcoin mining is filthy energy. Others assert that the network contributes less than 0.08% to global carbon dioxide emissions.
