[hasch]

miners do more than just burning energy, and without this mechanism, the price can't be justified. a really forward looking perspective is, how a structure on top could be created to leverage bitcoin without mining. if you figure out something clever, you can call yourself the saviour of the planet :-)

[schmichael]

> miners do more than just burning energy, and without this mechanism, the price can't be justified

The price is based on utility of the commodity and speculation about its future utility, not mining costs. Put another way: more hash power does not raise the value but more value may raise the hash power (by making it profitable for less efficient miners to mine).

> how a structure on top could be created to leverage bitcoin without mining.

There's lots of activity around alternatives to bitcon's proof-of-work based mining: proof of stake, proof of activity, etc. Just search "proof of work alternatives"

[nostrebored]

Savior of the planet? Bitcoin without mining is just fiat money sans government.

Bitcoin is not necessary. The environment is. Easier solution is stop operating a power plant to play speculator on play money.