TED Talks Daily How we could make carbon-negative concrete | Tom Schuler
Jan 4, 2021
Concrete is everywhere, but it’s also a major source of carbon emissions. Tom Schuler discusses groundbreaking methods for creating carbon-negative concrete. This innovative process captures CO2 during curing, transforming concrete from a pollutant to a potential carbon sink. The podcast highlights exciting advancements in material science and the importance of sustainability in construction, paving the way for a greener future while recycling waste CO2 into useful materials.
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Concrete's Impact
- Concrete is the second most-used resource globally, after water, and its demand will increase with urbanization.
- Cement production, crucial for concrete, emits substantial CO2, posing a significant environmental challenge.
Cement's Carbon Footprint
- Traditional cement production releases nearly a ton of CO2 for every ton of cement made.
- This makes the cement industry a major CO2 emitter, contributing significantly to global emissions.
CO2 Curing Challenge
- Curing concrete with CO2 instead of water was theorized to increase durability, but Portland cement's chemistry hindered this.
- It reacts with both water and CO2, creating conflicting reactions that weaken the concrete.