Really? We’re going to chastise China for using cement? Yes I know it produces CO2, but it’s pretty hard to build much without it. We’re talking basic stuff: buildings, hospitals, schools, bridges, sidewalks. These are basic needs of a modern society. And guess what? As more countries develop (see Africa) they’re all going to want the same things. Are we really going to say “no, not you, you don’t deserve a sidewalk, only we deserve a sidewalk”? Chastise then for burning coal, not basic necessities of modern life.
If you read this to the end they even change it to “world”.
To tackle the linked climate and environmental challenges, the world’s concrete addiction must be further addressed. Yet, although there is still room for improvement, cement industry bodies are hopeful their member companies can accelerate the decarbonisation of the sector. And there are already some efforts at rehabilitating old quarry mines in China, notes Andrew Minson from the Global Cement and Concrete Association.
“I think China’s experience can help other developing countries think about how to take advantage of concrete’s wonderful advantages while mitigating its downsides,” says Downie. “I don’t think China will be the last nation to urbanise and industrialise with concrete so prominent – concrete is fundamental to modern building and infrastructure. So the world will have to find a way to make it in a low-carbon fashion.”