Artist Benjamin Von Wong and Greenpeace unveil giant skull to highlight Bitcoin’s climate impact
Click here for Skull of Satoshi images
Washington, DC (March 23, 2023) – Art and activism merge in the striking art installation called Skull of Satoshi, created by art activist Benjamin Von Wong and Greenpeace USA to highlight Bitcoin’s record of climate destruction.
This thought-provoking art installation is 11 feet tall and features smokestacks representing fossil fuel and coal pollution generated by Bitcoin mining, eyes adorned with bitcoin logos and red lasers, and cables protruding from its neck. The skull is made with electronic waste donated by Unirecycle, which represents the millions of computers used to validate Bitcoin transactions, known as mining.
The Skull of Satoshi symbolizes the enormous climate impact of bitcoin mining and acts as an avatar to encourage financial institutions to take responsibility for the climate impact of Bitcoin investmentsproducts and services they offer.
Greenpeace campaigner Rolf Skar said: “Coal-fired power plants are being revived and kept alive by the growing electricity demand of Bitcoin mining. This is a horrifying development, given the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels to prevent a climate catastrophe. Our skull design serves as a powerful symbol, encouraging financial institutions to use their influence to advocate for a code change that could reduce Bitcoin’s power consumption by a whopping 99% We cannot afford to further expand our dependence on fossil fuels and it is up to the Bitcoin community to take action and change their code – not the climate – if we hope to secure a sustainable future for all.”
Financial companies such as Fidelity, Goldman Sachs and Blackrock that have climate goals and invest in Bitcoin and offer Bitcoin products can use their influence to demand a code change to create a more energy-efficient consensus mechanism.
With Bitcoin’s annual greenhouse gas emissions to rival countries such as Ireland and Chile, Greenpeace and Von Wong are urging the companies to push Bitcoin to change its code to one that is not electricity-intensive, which greatly reduces climate pollution and environmental impact on communities living near mining facilities.
Artist Benjamin Von Wong said: “As an artist and activist, I believe in the power of art to spark conversations and inspire change. The idea that we have the unique opportunity to erase the climate footprint equivalent of an entire country by fixing Bitcoin is so exciting to me.
“The crypto community has some of the brightest minds, and I have no doubt that if we can generate enough demand for a more sustainable Bitcoin, a genius can come up with a solution that works for all people and the planet.
“I am excited to see what Greenpeace does with this art installation and to play a small part in the global transformation that is needed!”
Watch the making of Skull of Satoshi to see the artistic process behind this powerful installation and learn more about the environmental impact of bitcoin mining.
Skull of Satoshi arrives in New York City
Next week, Greenpeace takes the Skull of Satoshi on an accountability tour, bringing attention to financial institutions that invest heavily in Bitcoin. The tour seeks to spark a conversation and encourage the financial industry to encourage Bitcoin to change the code, not the climate. The first stop will be New York City.
For more information on the upcoming action in New York City, please email [email protected].
Additional information and content
Change the code site:
Link to Von Wong’s blog: https://blog.vonwong.com/skull/
Link to Von Wong’s video: https://youtu.be/SAYr_ZB-98o
Link to pictures and videos for the press: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rn7ju8v0eosrbzl/AABLoseAodmvNQ5u6hD6kGKBa?dl=0
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Contact: Gigi Singh, Senior Communications Specialist at Greenpeace USA, [email protected]631-404-9977
Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org
