Bitcoin Q&A energy consumption

Is the "energy consumption" in mining a problem? Mining is a business of arbitrage for the cheapest sources of electricity. Proof-of-work mining is contributing to massive investment and subsidy in renewables / alternative energy and efficiency improvements in processing. It is driving the decentralization of energy production. "Consumption" in Bitcoin is easy to criticize because it is obvious, whereas the hidden externalities of the traditional financial system are massive.