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Block chain and sustainability
In the block chain algorithm and block chain platform, sustainability can have multiple interpretations. On the one hand, no one had heard of Bitcoin network's energy needs can be rightly considered that the system is far from being seen as sustainable or environmentally friendly. However, this extreme energy demand is not necessarily similar to the other block chain platform. On the other hand, in the past few years we have taken a number of initiatives to address sustainability or environmental issues distributed applications. In this article, we are from two different angles relative to analyze the block chain and sustainability topics.
Consensus and energy consumption
One of the most important components of a distributed platform is the consensus mechanism. Through consensus mechanisms responsible for ensuring that the state has always been a consensus system, which means that all nodes contain the same information. In other words, when someone creates a new transaction, through consensus mechanisms to ensure that the entire system reaches a state: either each effective node discovery transaction, each node is found to be invalid or affairs.
In common block chain algorithms to achieve consensus algorithm may be particularly difficult. For such a system, there is always the possibility of so-called sybil attack, that an external attacker to create a large number of nodes being attacked and tried to influence the consensus of the system. Therefore, in such a system, the consensus algorithm is not based on the number of nodes, but scarce or expensive resources based on a number of other economies. The early consensus algorithm uses the computing power (effort proved) to implement this resource. As a participant in this consensus, and compete in the market on the basis, the total computing power can grow to a very large degree of consensus and maintain the system.
The computing power required to maintain the consensus Bitcoin
Of course, computing power in some places can be very high energy consumption, this development will not have a positive impact on the environment or sustainable. Clearly this is difficult to measure energy consumption, but can use two methods to estimate. Under so-called self-up detailed estimate consumption calculation hardware, energy consumption and cooling requirements. Another method is called down approach on, it takes into account the participants involved in consultation consensus profit or reward from their activities. Considering the number of participants in the market, and competition is fierce, participants estimated that only normal profits, the rest of the income can be considered direct or indirect energy costs. However, in both cases, the total energy estimate is significant.
Bitcoin network energy consumption compared with national
Fortunately, Bitcoin is the first consensus mechanism is only effective mechanism is almost certainly not the last. The focus of many research and development is faster and more efficient development needs, as well as less energy negotiation mechanism for consensus. In one solution, a negotiated consensus on key resources involved are not of computing power, but directly encryption currency. In this so-called proof of interest in the system, the node to intercept encrypted certain amount of money, if these prove to encrypt money trying to attack the system, you will lose these encryption currency. Other methods referred to as layer 2 scalable solutions that most of the transactions are not executed directly on the block chain, but performed on a separate channel from chain transaction. Considering the generally perform hundreds of transactions every block or chain synchronization, the overall efficiency will be greatly improved.
Consensus mechanism is a very active area of research. Even the most common solution is to demand for energy, which likely will not be a problem the next block chain platform and consensus mechanisms.
Sustainability application on the block chain
On the other hand, there are many applications and initiatives trying to support or address sustainability and environmental issues with the help of the block chain. Of course, many of these initiatives are still at an early stage, therefore, to assess which of them will be the real killer application of sustainability is premature. Most of these initiatives can be summarized in the following categories:
"Green" energy distribution: One of the applications of sustainability and block chain, focusing on efficient distribution of the local production of "green" energy. Assuming that some residents of local communities to install solar cells, in the case of energy production surplus, the excess energy they share with their neighbors. The distributed system automatically calculates the exact energy may be implemented. From a technical point of view, the early implementation uses Ethernet Square and the local energy equipment integration of things, created the so-called smart meters.
Local market "green" energy distribution
Supply Chain Transparency: the next major application areas of sustainable development is to improve the transparency of the supply chain and value chain. The first application from the field of food production and food distribution in this area, tracking the exact life of food products and raw materials is particularly important. For example, if you find certain agricultural areas have been sprayed with harmful substances, all directly or indirectly affected product should be withdrawn. The technology also offers the opportunity to supply chain polymerizable certain attributes to display it on the final product. For example, consider the entire chain of production, can be said to be made from a food of vegetable origin, or no gluten. In addition to the properties directly related to the food, but also, as the proportion of recycled materials or GHG emissions measured along the supply chain and other sustainability summary parameters.
Reward: Reward system block chain based activities typically reward environmentally conscious. A typical example is the collection and recycling of recyclable materials rewarded of tokens. Activities can be environmentally conscious recycled glass, plastic, garbage collection or procurement services, have a positive impact on the overall environment. Rewards can be achieved in different ways. It can be used as tokens can be collected, can be used as currency to purchase different special local products, it can be used as full encryption currency.
Sustainable development or environmental protection, there are many other examples and initiatives on how to block for the chain. For example, the company provides transparent "green" points system, or block chain transparent accounting system to track cash flow of charity. Of course, it is not possible to see which applications in the region will become a true "killer app." However, many sustainability issues is likely to be better addressed in a transparent global block chain automation systems and decentralized organization, rather than in the current system, because the current system usually consists of short-term financial decisions and other local political interests dominate.