Discover how these strong building materials are produced, and the price the planet pays for it
CLIMATE CONCERNS
Concrete manufacturing raises concerns for the environment. One of its most significant impacts is the release of greenhouse gases that occurs when the raw materials are heated. The process, called calcination, releases 0.9 kilograms of carbon dioxide for every kilogram of concrete produced. When too much carbon dioxide enters Earth’s atmosphere, it acts like an insulating blanket and traps heat, causing global warming. Water use in the concrete industry is also significant, with ten per cent of global industrial water demands coming from its production. The effect of concrete on the environment doesn’t end after the material is formed. When it lines the streets in the shape of roads and buildings, concrete absorbs more of the Sun’s energy, rather than reflecting it. This heats up the surrounding air, making cities a higher temperature than rural landscapes.