The CAETS Energy Report of 2022-23 estimated cement companies in the world produce up to 4 billion tonnes of cement a crucial building material and a top contributor to the concrete jungles rising in our cities every single day. While cement factories are in it for the money, their products leave seriously huge impacts on the environment. There has also been a serious failure on the policy side to tackle the ever-increasing dangers of keeping cement on top of the chain as far as construction is concerned. One thing we all agree on is that we need to reduce the carbon effect in cement production while at the same time ensuring that the same satisfies the growing construction needs.
Limestone is the main ingredient in the production of cement. It consists of calcium carbonate, which releases carbon to the atmosphere in the process of heating it to produce cement. When heated, the carbon is separated, and dumped into the atmosphere, and we remain with calcium oxide, which, chemically, solidifies when mixed with water. So back to the main topic, when one tonne of cement is produced, research shows that a similar amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere. Up to that point, we haven’t put into consideration the amount of energy required to produce cement. The kilns used to heat the raw materials that produce cement are usually powered up to 1500°C to be able to produce the fine powder that is cement.
Cement production accounts for 7% of global carbon emmisions
With the aforementioned production of 4 billion tonnes of cement per year, the cement producing companies account for 7% of the global carbon emissions, according to the CAETS Energy Report of 2022-23. With these numbers we see that cement production is not just a contributor to the climate crisis, but is also resource and energy intensive. It is therefore imperative that we start to seriously consider alternative solutions. This, even as we keep in mind that we can’t completely wipe out the use of cement in construction.
Unless we are constructing bridges, roads and other infrastructure that need to hold the massive weight of heavy commercials, interlocking blocks have emerged as a good alternative to using cement. They offer a much more sustainable option due to their low cost of production, minimal environmental impact and ready availability of raw materials. Making interlocking blocks requires less energy, thus generating less emissions, while going on to offer structural stability, which in the long run reduces the need to use cement. Interlocking blocks are also favorable compared to the conventionally fired bricks, which have to go through high-temperature kilns in the production process.
Interlocking blocks have a lower Global Warming Potential
One might argue that interlocking bricks also use cement in their production, and well, that’s a fact, but to what percentage compared with using exclusively cement? The idea is to minimize as much as possible the production of cement, and it is proven that interlocking blocks have a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP). The fact that they are mostly prepared on-site reduces the transportation costs and emissions involved in the same. Apart from giving your house a great look at a reduced cost, interlocking blocks also offer thermal insulation, to keep houses warm when cold and cool in warm weather conditions. This minimizes the need for energy-consuming solutions to heat or cool our houses.
The use of interlocking blocks in the construction industry is a worthwhile transition; a win-win for the global ecosystem. It isn’t always you find solutions that are not only low-cost but also eco-friendly; thus, it is time to ditch cement, and pick interlocking blocks.
