Solve the climate problem of cement » Yale's climate connection

At present, it is difficult to find signs of progress in efforts to decarbonize the economy, as funds under the Biden-era climate plan were revoked, frozen, backed, or at most–most–simple uncertainty.

One theme that is both fun and relatively inspiring is to make low-carb cement, a key ingredient in concrete. These materials are about 8% of global carbon emissions. (In addition, surprisingly, concrete is the second largest edible substance on the planet, only more than water.) Two things make cement production problematic. First, the heat required to make cement usually comes from fossil fuels. 2. The central process of making cement requires the decomposition of limestone (CACO3) into the main components of cement (CAO) and by-product CO2.

The challenges and obstacles to solving this major problem are considerable, but this is a field of startups that clearly demonstrates the social interests of human creativity and venture capitalism.

Good introduction and overview article

• “How to decarbonize the world’s cement.” Hannah Ritchie, alternative communications “digital sustainability.” A brief, clear explanation of general choices.
• “To decarbonize cement, the industry needs a complete shift.” Jeff St. John, Canary Media. This post is very detailed with opportunities and (especially) challenges, mainly reader-friendly and has many good links. As suggested below, Canary Media is the main source of news on this topic.
• “Terra CO2 says its Texas plant will cut costs for carbon and cement,” Jeff St. John, Canary Media. Despite being centered on one company, the piece is also very thorough, with many other examples of methods, materials and companies used to change the industry.
• “Reshape the world’s favorite building materials.” William Booth and Emily Wright, The Washington Post. An overview story about the very readability of a British company making cement, in the broader case, the steel slag is left.

Examples of startups and various methods

• “There are emission problems in cement. Can technology that imitates corals solve it?” Isobel Whitcomb, Canary Media. Focusing on Fortera, the work traces the fate of a venture capital startup.
• “How the New York plant captures CO2 in concrete blocks.” Maria Gallucci, Canary Media. This post and the very short video focus on a collaboration between Glenwood Mason and Carbonquest, part of the Canary media series on decarbonized steel, cement and chemicals.
• “We are closing zero carb cement.” A podcast conversation between David Roberts, CEO of Sublime Systems and Leah Ellis. Only over an hour. Again, this company (one of the many startups that have been attributed to university research), see “How Power Helps Solve the Surprising Climate Villain.” Casey Crownhart, MIT Technology Review.
• “Take the carbon out of the air and put it into concrete.” This time it was another (one hour) podcast with David Roberts, this time with Shashank Samala (heirloom CEO) and Robert Niven (Chief of Carboncure). (Roberts used to work with Canary Media, but now has its own great podcast Volts.)
• “Respyre’s Moss Concrete: An environmentally friendly approach to urban construction.” Joe Verde, Happy Econews. It's just for entertainment: The Netherlands is using a new type of “biotherapy” concrete that turns gray buildings with moss into green.

What now?