About five minutes after a person learns what cryptocurrency is another person tells them about the negative effects many digital mining operations have on the environment. Blockchain mining devours energy, so mining operations often set up shop where energy is cheap and non-renewable. Despite many years of industry domination and pressure to do so, even Bitcoin has not reduced its energy consumption.
Player 2 has joined the game. Ether has played second place to Bitcoin for some time, but some think that trajectory may soon change. The company is shifting its network from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake oriented. Energy consumption will drop by 99% following the adjustment. No exact date has been made public, but the company expects the change to complete by June.