TechFlow news, April 17 — According to The Block, a recent Harvard study on the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining has faced strong criticism from energy experts. Published in Nature Communications, the study claims that Bitcoin mining activities in the United States expose approximately 1.9 million Americans to fine particulate matter pollution. It tracks 34 of the largest U.S. Bitcoin mining facilities, stating they consume 32.3 TWh of electricity, with 85% sourced from fossil fuels.
Daniel Batten, co-founder of CH4 Capital and an energy expert, pointed out that the study "has significant flaws," arguing that the researchers selectively used data, applied controversial marginal emissions calculation methods, and overly relied on news reports rather than peer-reviewed papers. The Digital Assets Research Institute (DARI) also questioned the study's claim of overstating Bitcoin mining's impact on air pollution.
