You all dont get it. Bitcoins energy use is NOT wasted energy, its energy put to work, energy converted into a trustless, super secure token of value. It serves a function. Bitcoin miners flock to wasted energy and cheap energy, most of which is sustainable (hydro). Its incredibly efficient at using low cost power.

What is always left out of these arguements is what does bitcoin replace? Add up all the massive energy wasting buildings to house traditional finance (ac, heat, light, etc), the cars commuting of those employees, the middle men becoming insanely wealthy rent seeking on your productivity.. or the damage done to the earth for mining Gold and Silver etc.. bitcoin is actually the way forward. And as many have commented below, there are alternative cryptos which dont use proof of work, and bitcoin is evolving software, optimizations, 2nd layers, cross chain transactions etc are all coming..

Bitcoin and crypto as a whole is still at its infancy. It will get better.

We are doing more harm with the endless wars and "funny money" all central banks are printing fueling bloated levels of debt, etc.