Just want to put this out there. What is the problem with crypto mining and energy consumption? Yes, I know you'll raise environment concerns, I get it.
However, consider this: a civilisation is measured by its energy consumption. Before we discovered fire and used any stone tools, the only energy we had was whatever our bodies produced. Then we discovered fire, made tools, invented the wheel, etc. Until now, when we use computers, robots and other machines to help us live. Our life expectancy and quality of life has increased dramatically.
Shouldn't we concentrate our efforts on using clean renewable energy, rather than restrict our use of it?
Frankly, if there is a problem with too much energy consumption, we should go back and live in caves, and hunt in groups.
I only partially agree with you here. I mean yes of course we need to consume energy to be able to live our modern lives as we do since a few decades but i disagree that a civilization is measured by its energy consumption in the sense of more consumption = better or a higher grade of civilization. The goals for our time now should be to consume as little energy as possible which means to make machines and all other devices as energy efficient as possible. This process is already happening since decades and if i compare my car now with one of 1970 then my current car consumes only half as much gasoline but has twice the performance.
The other approach is to stop unnecessary consumption completely and to be honest i think crypto mining is pretty much unnecessary as there are other consensus mechanism out there like Proof of Stake.