Bitcoin is unsustainable in light of its energy consumption. Several authors have examined Bitcoin’s energy consumption and concluded Bitcoin is using up as much energy as a medium sized country. Currently about 72 in the world if considered a country.

I can not find a peer review, but I see several independent sources (see end) making their own assumptions, which seem plausible (I am no expert).

I highlight the digiconomist work.  They calculate bitcoin’s energy consumption to power approx 1.5m US households,  They estimate the VISA network to be equivalent to 50,000 households.

As I have argued earlier, I do not believe Bitcoin is a good investment, but it might be thought of as a currency or a money.  Many are excited by the possibilities of blockchain.

This work suggests more needs to be done to make blockchain energy efficient, if this will be a sustainable mechanism.

The author Deetman writes after his calculations: “I haven't given up on the idea of distributed network transactions, but a radical rethinking of how these may be secured would be beneficial, be it at least for the environment.”  And if the calculations made by analysts below are true, I would concur. H/T to  https://digiconomist.net/bitcoin-energy-consumption as source.

References:  Bitcoin Consumes A Lot     Bitcoin Is Still Unsustainable

Electricity consumption of Bitcoin: a market-based and technical analysis

Proof of Work Flaws: Ethereum Lays Out Proof of Stake Philosophy

An Unsustainable Protocol That Must Evolve

Bitcoin Could Consume as Much Electricity as Denmark by 2020

Bitcoins are a waste of electricity    Bitcoin is Unsustainable

How Much Power Does the Bitcoin Network Use?

If you'd like to feel inspired by commencement addresses and life lessons try: Ursula K Le Guin on literature as an operating manual for life;  Neil Gaiman on making wonderful, fabulous, brilliant mistakes; or Nassim Taleb's commencement address; or JK Rowling on the benefits of failure.  Or Charlie Munger on always inverting.

Cross fertilise. Read about the autistic mind here. On investing try a thought on stock valuations.  Or Ray Dalio on populism and risk.  You can also click on the Carbon tag below.