Bitcoin mining and AI computing are at the center of environmental debates in 2026 due to their significant energy consumption. Bitcoin's proof-of-work mining consumes 150-170 TWh annually, emitting 65-75 million tonnes of CO₂e. Meanwhile, AI data centers, powering large language models and other systems, are projected to produce 33-80 million tonnes of CO₂e in 2025, with demand expected to grow rapidly. Bitcoin mining's energy use is comparable to countries like Poland, with 52-58% sourced from renewables. AI data centers, however, face challenges due to their reliance on grid-dependent energy sources. As AI's energy demand grows, it may surpass Bitcoin's carbon footprint by 2030. Both sectors are exploring efficiency improvements and renewable energy adoption to mitigate their environmental impact.