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cover of episode Gorillas, militias, and Bitcoin: Why Congo’s most famous national park is betting big on crypto

Gorillas, militias, and Bitcoin: Why Congo’s most famous national park is betting big on crypto

2024/11/6
logo of podcast MIT Technology Review Narrated

MIT Technology Review Narrated
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E
Emmanuel de Merode
领导维龙加国家公园，通过创新方法保护野生动物和森林，包括利用比特币矿业。
P
Peter Howson
领导Big Block Green Services，通过比特币矿业帮助维龙加国家公园解决财务问题并推动可持续发展。
S
Sébastien Gouspillou
通过引入比特币矿业，帮助维龙加国家公园从破产中挽救出来，并推动了公园的可持续发展。
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Emmanuel de Merode 认为，由于旅游收入因地区冲突和疫情而枯竭，比特币挖矿是维龙加国家公园维持运营的必要手段，也是利用清洁能源促进当地社区发展的一种方式。他强调，这并非投机行为，而是将过剩的水力发电转化为实际收益，即使比特币价格下跌，矿场依然能够盈利。 Adam Popescu 以叙述者的角度，介绍了维龙加国家公园面临的复杂挑战，包括武装冲突、贫困、环境破坏以及对比特币挖矿项目的争议。他客观地呈现了各方的观点，并描述了公园在寻求可持续发展道路上的努力和困境。 Sébastien Gouspillou 认为，维龙加的模式可以复制到其他拥有丰富清洁能源的地区，为当地带来经济效益。他强调该项目使用的是清洁能源，并非传统意义上的高污染比特币挖矿。 Peter Howson 质疑比特币挖矿项目的有效性，认为刚果的清洁能源可以用于更有效益的绿色工业发展，创造更多就业机会，而不是仅仅依靠少数人参与的比特币挖矿。

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Virunga National Park in Congo has become the first national park to operate a Bitcoin mine, powered by clean energy, to fund its conservation efforts amidst militia threats and financial challenges.
  • Virunga National Park is the first national park to operate a Bitcoin mine.
  • The mine is powered by a hydroelectric power station within the park.
  • The park faces threats from militias and financial challenges, including a reliance on tourism that has been disrupted by disease outbreaks and violence.

Shownotes Transcript

In an attempt to protect its forests and famous wildlife, Virunga has become the first national park to run a Bitcoin mine. But some are wondering what crypto has to do with conservation.

This story was written by Adam Popescu and narrated by Noa (newsoveraudio.com)