Bitcoin's estimated annual electricity consumption has increased around 30-fold since Jan 2016, from 4TWh/year to over 120TWh/year. Source:
https://cbeci.org
Total worldwide annual electricity consumption is about 25,000 TWh/year. So, bitcoin currently only accounts for about 0.5%.
But if it kept on going up 30-fold every 5 years or so...
And at a time when we should be trying to reduce energy consumption.
Not exactly what you'd call sustainable.
Compared to what?
This is like somebody who hears people say big numbers, such as the NHS total budget, and says "look! big numbers! It's being funded!" It's being funded sure, but compared to what? NHS spend is one of the lowest of similar rich countries in Europe. When you compare, things become easier to understand.
Fiat currency supply has a large computerised chain involved in processing it, printing it, creating it. Why not have a stab in the dark about how all that technology works and how much power the entire physical chain, including physical logistics, costs to the taxpayer and private companies. It will dwarf bitcoin's electricity usage by an enormous multiple.


