From: veritasium
While concrete is one of the most important materials in the world, enabling much large-scale infrastructure, its production has significant environmental impacts, primarily through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions [00:22:28].
Carbon Emissions from Production
The creation of cement, the “glue” that binds concrete, releases substantial amounts of CO2. Even in primitive cement production, heating limestone to around 1,000 degrees Celsius drives off CO2 from the rock [00:01:57].
Modern concrete production is estimated to contribute about 8% of the global total CO2 emissions [00:22:38]. This amount is more than the entire aviation sector [00:22:41].
Origin of Raw Materials
The core component of cement and concrete, limestone, originates from ancient sea life [00:20:19]. Limestone is formed from the compressed skeletons and shells of marine organisms that died millions of years ago [00:20:26]. This means that significant portions of modern infrastructure, such as skyscrapers and overpasses, are effectively made from ancient marine life [00:20:36].
Addressing the Impact
Efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of concrete production involve both individual and systemic actions [00:23:19]. While individual actions like changing light bulbs or installing solar panels are beneficial, large-scale systemic change is crucial [00:23:20].
Organizations like Wren aim to help individuals calculate and offset their carbon footprints by funding diverse carbon reduction projects, including:
- Tree planting [00:23:06]
- Mineral weathering [00:23:07]
- Rainforest protection [00:23:08]
Additionally, these organizations support policy groups, such as the Clean Air Task Force, which advocate for new technologies and policies to achieve a zero-emissions economy [00:23:31].