GreenpeaceUSA has quietly ended its “Change the Code” campaign, an initiative aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining.
According to researcher Daniel Batten, the campaign effectively ceased in early 2024, with official accounts falling dormant. No other Greenpeace branch publicly supported the effort, and its key leader, Josh Archer, departed the organization to focus on a forest protection project.
The campaign faced considerable obstacles. Claims about Bitcoin’s environmental harm, including the alleged use of coal and the reopening of fossil fuel-based power plants, were largely debunked. The strategy of pressuring major corporations to divest from Bitcoin also proved ineffective. Furthermore, the Bitcoin advocacy community demonstrated resilience, effectively countering criticism and promoting the increased use of sustainable energy sources for mining operations.
The outcomes of the “Change the Code” campaign were ultimately disappointing. The $5 million invested did not translate into modifications to Bitcoin’s code or shifts in the stances of major financial institutions. Conversely, the campaign alienated younger generations, including millennials and Gen Z, diminishing GreenpeaceUSA’s support base.
This experience underscores the significant challenges faced by environmental organizations in influencing the decentralized and often resistant cryptocurrency community.
December 2024, Cryptoniteuae
