4 ms·
Isn't concrete neutral over its lifetime? Surely you'd want to take into consideration that wood an concrete are different materials?
by peteradio 4y ago
Isn't concrete neutral over its lifetime? Surely you'd want to take into consideration that wood an concrete are different materials?
- blueflow 4y agoIngredient for concrete is calcium oxide, which is won from calcium carbonate, releasing carbon dioxide. Calcium carbonate is limestone. Thus: Making concrete takes carbon from the ground and puts it into the air. This is climate-wise as irreversible as a coal plant.
- peteradio 4y agoI'm under the impression there is a reabsorption of carbon over its lifecycle. Is that not the case?
- blueflow 4y agoIt does, but in amounts i would consider neglegible for climate concerns. As a form of corrosion its relevant for materials engineering.
- peteradio 4y agoA holistic treatment would not ignore such things. Housing is obviously not a strictly climate constrained problem.
- blueflow 4y agoIf we stop digging out carbon out of the ground to insert it into the carbon cycle, that would be a real good solution to be carbon neutral. I hope that qualifies as holistic to you, because its at the source of the problem.