Can the Environmental Impact of PoW Mining Be Mitigated by Using Renewable Energy?
Yes, the environmental impact of PoW mining can be mitigated by using renewable energy sources. Many miners are already switching to renewables like hydropower and solar to reduce both their carbon footprint and operational costs.
Proponents argue that PoW can even incentivize the development of renewable energy infrastructure by providing a constant demand for power. However, critics suggest that this diverts clean energy from other sectors that also need to transition away from fossil fuels.