🔒 A Bitcoin transaction ‘uses a swimming pool of water’ Subscriber Extra

Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

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A Bitcoin transaction ‘uses a swimming pool of water’
Every Bitcoin transaction uses about the same amount of water as a backyard swimming pool according to a study published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability. That’s around six million times more than a credit card swipe. The vast amounts of water are needed as Bitcoin uses so much computing power, and in turn, electricity to complete a single transaction on the blockchain ledger. Digiconomist and author of the study Alex de Vries is on the show to explain how he came to his conclusions and what can be done to reduce this phenomenal amount of water consumption.
Desalination system makes freshwater cheaper than tap water
Engineers at MIT in the US and in China have designed a solar powered device that takes in saltwater, uses its circulation and the sun’s heat to lead to evaporation, which creates a salt free water vapour that can be condensed into drinking water. The system is so effective it can produce between four to six litres an hour and is cheaper and faster to produce than tap water. Lenan Zhang, a research scientist at MIT’s Device Research Lab, explains the process to Gareth Mitchell. The work is published in the journal Joule.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Peter Guest.
More on the show:

Bitcoin’s growing water footprint
Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz
Production Manager: Liz Tuohy
Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner
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