With all this in mind, what do you think will be the future of PoW and Bitcoin mining?
1. Do you think it will be banned entirely after scaring people with climate change concerns?
Some countries started planning ban Bitcoin mining such as China while European country have their eyes on shutting down Bitcoin mining activity in belief that Bitcoin Mining greatly contribute to climate change.
2. Will they find ways to make it harder to mine Bitcoin? More regulation, bigger taxes, regular inspections, overly complicated paperwork, and heavy fines for not complying with CO2 emissions are some of the ways they could penalize entities involved with PoW mining.
Definitely, they will impose laws and regulations that will make mining Bitcoin harder. They are finding a scapegoat for their fault on mismanagement of the environment that contributes to greenhouse effect and they see Bitcoin as one. So they will put blame on Bitcoin, spread false information and trigger anti-Bitcoin mining mass rallies.
3. Do you think the world governments could incentivize those still mining with fossil fuels to transition to clean energy?
It is possible but I think since Bitcoin principle is against centralized fiat financial system, they will find ways to exterminate Bitcoin first, incentivize would be a second option if they failed on their first option.
4. Or will all this calm down one day, Bitcoin and its POW will be left alone, and world leaders will focus on other, more important things?
It is possible if Bitcoin survives all these environmental controversies. There is always a saying.. "if you can't beat them, join them" Hopefully, Bitcoin will triumph all these hurdles and make the government realize the importance of the technology Bitcoin brings.