Bitcoin Mining's Massive Water Use Worsens Droughts and Scarcity Globally
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Bitcoin mining uses a massive amount of water - over 1,600 billion liters per year globally - exacerbating water scarcity issues.
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A single Bitcoin transaction consumes enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool, over 6 million times more than a credit card swipe.
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In the U.S., Bitcoin mining's water use equals the annual consumption of a city like Washington D.C. or 300,000 households.
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Bitcoin mining is expanding globally, worsening water shortages in drought-prone and water-scarce regions like Central Asia.
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Potential solutions like software changes and renewable energy face practical limitations on scalability and availability.