Rethinking the Construction Industry's Carbon Impact
Rethinking the Construction industry's carbon impact and unveiling the true culprits behind greenhouse gas emissions. Who's really to blame for our carbon mess? 👣
Are we all responsible for the Carbon Footprint issues we are facing today?
Let's cut to the chase and tackle the true culprit behind greenhouse gas emissions and explore how the building industry can pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
Curious to learn more? Dive into the article below ⬇️
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Read Time: 10 Minutes
Who's Really to Blame for Our Carbon Mess? 👣
Carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) generated by our human actions. From using electricity at home, taking hot water showers, to driving to work, all our actions contribute to the rise of these gases.
Now, let’s break this into two main categories:
1️⃣ Emissions over which an individual has direct control over.
2️⃣ The consumption of goods and services.
It is clear that electricity and heating will be by far the main areas responsible for these emissions, but we need to look at the other sectors as well. Food production is highly blamed for driving the emissions of methane gas, but no one is talking about the transport sector or the manufacturing sector so vividly on the news.
Why is that? Let’s take a look at the chart below showing the emissions by sector over the last 100-years.
Clearly, after seeing this, I don’t feel fully responsible for the carbon footprint, but why does the entire industry put us under the same line?
It seems easier to tell us to stop eating meat and to create a trend behind what is healthy/unhealthy for us than to truly see the data for what it is.
Let’s focus on the building industry.
How can we design and build better, creating less negative impact in our world?
According to World GBC, buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global CO₂ emissions.
One-third of this footprint comes from the construction phase, while the remainder is generated in buildings in use. We can reduce natural resource consumption and pollution emissions to build better with less environmental impact.
I’m proposing exploring other options, such as Mass Timber Construction, which could be a good way to decarbonize the construction industry.
What should we be doing? 🛠️
Embrace Engineered Wood: Opt for engineered wood products like mass timber for construction projects. Unlike traditional materials like concrete and steel, engineered wood retains carbon instead of emitting it, making it a more sustainable choice.
Support Silviculture Practices: Encourage the planting of forests specifically for construction purposes through silviculture, the practice of forestry planting. This sustainable approach not only provides a renewable source of wood but also helps combat deforestation and preserves original biomes.
Choose Renewable Materials: Prioritize the use of renewable materials, such as structural timber produced from conifers, which offer good strength, low density, and rapid growth. These materials can replace non-renewable resources like stone and sand, contributing to a more sustainable construction industry.
Implement Combined Management: Advocate for combined management strategies in planted forests, which require conservation or restoration of related original biomes. This approach ensures ecological balance and helps protect natural habitats while meeting the demands of modern civilization.
Promote Carbon Sequestration: Support initiatives that promote carbon sequestration, such as planting trees that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. By choosing materials like mass timber that begin to store carbon even before construction starts, we can contribute to mitigating carbon emissions from the construction industry.
It's clear that we all have a part to play in shaping a more sustainable future. From the materials we choose to the practices we promote, every decision matters in our collective journey towards reducing environmental impact.
By embracing engineered wood, supporting silviculture practices, choosing renewable materials, implementing combined management strategies, and promoting carbon sequestration, we can take tangible steps towards building greener, more eco-conscious structures.
But it doesn't stop there. We must continue to challenge the status quo, question media narratives, and advocate for change in our communities. Together, we can shift the conversation from blame to action and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.