the power used is not simply constrained to securing bitcoin. The excess heat generated during the mining process can be/has been used to heat buildings and even warm greenhouses to grow vegetables (article in thread). There is also the argument to be made about ..
should be compared against the archaic banking system which uses incredible amounts of power to run the offices and branches (heat, light, power etc) the enormous computing power behind that, plus ...
It's not because the Bitcoin network could run on a single NES or Raspberry Pi but Internet Libertatians started their stupid mining arms race.
If you're into crypto you're literally hurting the planet for Chuck E. Cheese tokens. The tech is bad and you should feel bad.
all the resources to transport banking workers back and forth to work every day. Has anyone figured out how much that costs?
The FED, VISA, the global banking system consumes vastly greater resources than Bitcoin. If you use the dollar, you're hurting the planet..