A new study found that using Bitcoin for transactions uses a lot of water. In fact, it uses about six million times more water than a regular credit card transaction. This is because Bitcoin needs a lot of power and cooling for all the computers that support it. This is a problem because many places already don’t have enough water, and it’s only going to get worse with climate change.

The study said that in 2021, Bitcoin used almost 1,600 billion liters of water, and by 2023, it could use even more, up to 2,200 billion liters. The reason for this is that Bitcoin needs a lot of electricity, which is made in power plants that use water to cool down. The computers used for Bitcoin also need water to stay cool.

The person who did the study, Alex de Vries, said that Bitcoin doesn’t need to use so much water. The problem is the way Bitcoin works, called “Bitcoin mining.” Miners use powerful computers to check transactions and earn Bitcoin. But this uses a lot of electricity and water because they’re all competing against each other.

To use less electricity and water, Bitcoin needs to change the way it works. Another cryptocurrency called Ethereum has already done this and reduced its power usage by a lot. But it might be harder for Bitcoin to make the same change because it’s set up differently.

Experts are worried about the findings of this study. Dr. Larisa Yarovaya, a finance professor, thinks that using so much water for Bitcoin mining is a problem, especially in places where there’s already not enough water. It’s important to find more sustainable alternatives and make sure we’re using our resources responsibly.

Original news source: Every Bitcoin payment ‘uses a swimming pool of water’ (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Assign each group a different aspect of the article (e.g. Bitcoin’s water usage, the study findings, the problem with Bitcoin mining).
3. Give the groups a few minutes to read and discuss their assigned aspect.
4. Each group presents a summary of their assigned aspect to the class.
5. Encourage other groups to ask questions or add additional information.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Assign each group a role: pro-Bitcoin or anti-Bitcoin.
3. Each group discusses and prepares arguments to support their position.
4. Conduct a class-wide opinion poll by asking students to vote on whether they think Bitcoin’s water usage is a problem or not.
5. After the poll, groups present their arguments and try to persuade others to change their opinions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions:
1. Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. One member from each team comes to the front of the class.
4. Show the first word to both students, who must draw a picture to represent the word.
5. The team members must guess the word based on the drawings.
6. The first team to guess correctly earns a point.
7. Repeat with different students and words.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Assign each group the task of discussing the pros and cons of Bitcoin’s water usage.
3. Give the groups time to brainstorm and list their arguments.
4. Each group presents their lists to the class, discussing the positive and negative aspects of Bitcoin’s water usage.
5. Encourage class-wide discussion and debate on the topic.

– Future Predictions

Instructions:
1. Individually, students write down their predictions for the future of Bitcoin’s water usage.
2. In pairs or small groups, students share and discuss their predictions.
3. Encourage students to provide reasons and evidence for their predictions.
4. Select a few students to share their predictions with the whole class.
5. Engage in a class-wide discussion about the different predictions and their likelihoods.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why does using Bitcoin for transactions require a lot of water?
2. How much water did Bitcoin use in 2021, according to the study?
3. What is the reason for Bitcoin’s high water usage?
4. What is the name of the person who conducted the study on Bitcoin’s water usage?
5. What is the process called when powerful computers check Bitcoin transactions and earn Bitcoin?
6. How has another cryptocurrency called Ethereum reduced its power usage?
7. Why might it be more difficult for Bitcoin to make the same change in reducing power usage?
8. Why are experts concerned about the findings of this study?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A new (1)______ found that using (2)______ for transactions uses a lot of water. In fact, it uses about six million times more water than a regular credit card transaction. This is because Bitcoin needs a lot of power and cooling for all the computers that support it. This is a problem because many (3)______ already don’t have enough water, and it’s only (4)______ to get worse with climate change.

The study said that in 2021, Bitcoin used almost 1,600 billion liters of (5)______, and by 2023, it could use even more, up to 2,200 billion liters. The reason for this is that Bitcoin needs a lot of electricity, which is made in power (6)______ that use water to cool down. The computers used for Bitcoin also need water to stay cool.

The (7)______ who did the study, Alex de (8)______, said that Bitcoin doesn’t need to use so much water. The problem is the way Bitcoin works, called “Bitcoin mining.” Miners use (9)______ful computers to check transactions and earn Bitcoin. But this uses a lot of (10)______ and water because they’re all competing against each (11)______.

To use less electricity and water, Bitcoin needs to change the way it works. Another cryptocurrency called (12)______ has already done this and reduced its power usage by a lot. But it might be (13)______ for Bitcoin to make the same change because it’s set up differently.

(14)______ are worried about the findings of this study. Dr. Larisa (15)______, a finance professor, thinks that using so much water for Bitcoin mining is a problem, especially in places where there’s already not enough water. It’s important to find more (16)______ alternatives and make sure we’re using our resources responsibly.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is Bitcoin and how is it different from a regular credit card transaction?
2. How would you feel if you found out that using Bitcoin for transactions uses a lot of water?
3. Do you think it’s a problem that Bitcoin uses so much water? Why or why not?
4. Do you like the idea of using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about the fact that Bitcoin could use even more water in the future?
6. How do you think the use of Bitcoin could impact places that already have water shortages?
7. What is “Bitcoin mining” and why does it use so much electricity and water?
8. Do you think it’s important for Bitcoin to change the way it works to use less electricity and water? Why or why not?
9. Have you heard of any other cryptocurrencies besides Bitcoin? Which ones?
10. How do you think the findings of this study could affect the popularity of Bitcoin?
11. Do you think it’s necessary to find more sustainable alternatives to Bitcoin? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever used or invested in any cryptocurrencies? If so, which ones and why?
13. What do you think are some other ways we can use our resources responsibly?
14. How do you think the use of Bitcoin could be impacted by climate change?
15. Do you think the government should regulate the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to protect the environment? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Bitcoin
2. water
3. power
4. cooling
5. electricity
6. study
7. change
8. resources

Meanings:
(a) A form of energy that powers our homes and devices
(b) A research project that investigates a specific topic
(c) A digital currency used for transactions online
(d) The process of reducing temperature or heat
(e) The energy needed to make things work
(f) Materials or substances that can be used or consumed
(g) A liquid that is essential for life and used for various purposes
(h) To make something different or alter its current state

Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why does Bitcoin use a lot of water for transactions?
(a) Bitcoin is designed to use a lot of water.
(b) Water is needed to create new Bitcoins.
(c) Bitcoin needs power and cooling for its supporting computers.
(d) Water is used to cool down the transactions.

2. How much more water does a Bitcoin transaction use compared to a regular credit card transaction?
(a) About a hundred times more.
(b) About six million times more.
(c) About a thousand times more.
(d) About a billion times more.

3. How much water did Bitcoin use in 2021, according to the study?
(a) Almost 1,600 billion liters.
(b) Almost 2,000 billion liters.
(c) Almost 500 billion liters.
(d) Almost 10,000 billion liters.

4. Why does Bitcoin mining use a lot of electricity and water?
(a) Miners compete against each other using powerful computers.
(b) Bitcoin mining requires a lot of water to function.
(c) Bitcoin mining is designed to waste resources.
(d) Miners need water to cool down their computers.

5. Which cryptocurrency has already reduced its power usage?
(a) Bitcoin
(b) Litecoin
(c) Ethereum
(d) Ripple

6. Why might it be harder for Bitcoin to reduce its power and water usage?
(a) Bitcoin doesn’t have access to renewable energy sources.
(b) Bitcoin miners are not willing to change their methods.
(c) Bitcoin doesn’t have the necessary technology to reduce usage.
(d) Bitcoin is set up differently than Ethereum.

7. Who is concerned about the water usage of Bitcoin mining?
(a) Alex de Vries, the person who conducted the study.
(b) The general public.
(c) The creators of Bitcoin.
(d) Dr. Larisa Yarovaya, a finance professor.

8. What is the main message of the article?
(a) Bitcoin mining is harmful to the environment.
(b) Bitcoin uses a lot of water for transactions.
(c) Bitcoin needs to change its methods to reduce water usage.
(d) It is important to use resources responsibly.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The water usage issue is concerning because many regions already face water scarcity, and this problem is expected to worsen with climate change.
2. Alex de Vries, the researcher behind the study, believes that Bitcoin can reduce its water usage by changing its operational method known as “Bitcoin mining.”
3. The computers used for Bitcoin mining do not need water for cooling purposes.
4. Ethereum, another cryptocurrency, has already made changes to reduce its power consumption, but it may be more challenging for Bitcoin to implement similar modifications due to its different structure.
5. In 2021, Bitcoin consumed nearly 1,600 billion liters of water, and this amount could increase to 2,200 billion liters by 2023.
6. Bitcoin uses approximately the same amount of water as a regular credit card transaction.
7. The high water usage is not primarily due to the electricity requirements of Bitcoin, which is generated in power plants that do not rely on water for cooling.
8. A recent study discovered that Bitcoin transactions do not require a significant amount of water due to the high power and cooling needs of the supporting computers.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the problem with using Bitcoin for transactions?
2. How much more water does Bitcoin use compared to a regular credit card transaction?
3. Why does Bitcoin use so much water?
4. What did the study predict about Bitcoin’s water usage in the future?
5. How can Bitcoin reduce its electricity and water usage?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why does using Bitcoin for transactions require a lot of water?
Using Bitcoin for transactions requires a lot of water because the computers that support Bitcoin need power and cooling, which in turn requires water.

2. How much water did Bitcoin use in 2021, according to the study?
According to the study, Bitcoin used almost 1,600 billion liters of water in 2021.

3. What is the reason for Bitcoin’s high water usage?
Bitcoin’s high water usage is due to the need for power and cooling for the computers that support it.

4. What is the name of the person who conducted the study on Bitcoin’s water usage?
The person who conducted the study on Bitcoin’s water usage is Alex de Vries.

5. What is the process called when powerful computers check Bitcoin transactions and earn Bitcoin?
The process is called “Bitcoin mining.”

6. How has another cryptocurrency called Ethereum reduced its power usage?
Ethereum has reduced its power usage by changing the way it works, unlike Bitcoin. It has made adjustments to use less electricity and water.

7. Why might it be more difficult for Bitcoin to make the same change in reducing power usage?
It might be more difficult for Bitcoin to make the same change in reducing power usage because it is set up differently than Ethereum, and changing its system would require significant adjustments.

8. Why are experts concerned about the findings of this study?
Experts are concerned about the findings of this study because using so much water for Bitcoin mining is a problem, especially in places where there is already a scarcity of water. It is important to find more sustainable alternatives and use resources responsibly.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) study
(2) Bitcoin
(3) places
(4) going
(5) water
(6) plants
(7) person
(8) Vries
(9) power
(10) electricity
(11) other
(12) Ethereum
(13) harder
(14) Experts
(15) Yarovaya
(16) sustainable
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Bitcoin
Answer: (c) A digital currency used for transactions online

2. water
Answer: (g) A liquid that is essential for life and used for various purposes

3. power
Answer: (e) The energy needed to make things work

4. cooling
Answer: (d) The process of reducing temperature or heat

5. electricity
Answer: (a) A form of energy that powers our homes and devices

6. study
Answer: (b) A research project that investigates a specific topic

7. change
Answer: (h) To make something different or alter its current state

8. resources
Answer: (f) Materials or substances that can be used or consumed
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why does Bitcoin use a lot of water for transactions?
Answer: (c) Bitcoin needs power and cooling for its supporting computers.

2. How much more water does a Bitcoin transaction use compared to a regular credit card transaction?
Answer: (b) About six million times more.

3. How much water did Bitcoin use in 2021, according to the study?
Answer: (a) Almost 1,600 billion liters.

4. Why does Bitcoin mining use a lot of electricity and water?
Answer: (a) Miners compete against each other using powerful computers.

5. Which cryptocurrency has already reduced its power usage?
Answer: (c) Ethereum

6. Why might it be harder for Bitcoin to reduce its power and water usage?
Answer: (d) Bitcoin is set up differently than Ethereum.

7. Who is concerned about the water usage of Bitcoin mining?
Answer: (d) Dr. Larisa Yarovaya, a finance professor.

8. What is the main message of the article?
Answer: (b) Bitcoin uses a lot of water for transactions.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The water usage issue is concerning because many regions already face water scarcity, and this problem is expected to worsen with climate change. (Answer: True)
2. Alex de Vries, the researcher behind the study, believes that Bitcoin can reduce its water usage by changing its operational method known as “Bitcoin mining.” (Answer: True)
3. The computers used for Bitcoin mining do not need water for cooling purposes. (Answer: False)
4. Ethereum, another cryptocurrency, has already made changes to reduce its power consumption, but it may be more challenging for Bitcoin to implement similar modifications due to its different structure. (Answer: True)
5. In 2021, Bitcoin consumed nearly 1,600 billion liters of water, and this amount could increase to 2,200 billion liters by 2023. (Answer: True)
6. Bitcoin uses approximately the same amount of water as a regular credit card transaction. (Answer: False)
7. The high water usage is not primarily due to the electricity requirements of Bitcoin, which is generated in power plants that do not rely on water for cooling. (Answer: False)
8. A recent study discovered that Bitcoin transactions do not require a significant amount of water due to the high power and cooling needs of the supporting computers. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧