Exploratory Essay Example 2 -- Sp 24
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Louisiana State University *
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Course
1005
Subject
English
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
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4
Uploaded by AgentPower13625
Student Last Name 1
Student Name
Teresa Iverson
ENGL 1005
October 25, 2023
Lowering Carbon Footprint with Sustainable Methods for Cement Production Cement manufacturing companies account for 8% of global CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions. For example, in 2022, The Republic of China emitted more than 800 million tons of CO2 related to cement production, generating a substantial environmental impact. Cement production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the chemical process of converting limestone into clinker, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing to global warming. The cement industry is vital for economic growth, creating jobs, and supporting infrastructure development. Still, it is also a significant environmental threat due to its
high CO2 emissions, resource depletion, and air and water pollution. While some scientists defend using sustainable methods for cement production, others argue that adopting sustainable materials and technologies is expensive and not all countries can approach it. With opposing viewpoints on using sustainable methods for cement production, one question remains: should reforms be imposed to implement sustainable practices to decrease CO2 emissions caused by cement manufacture, and if so, why?
One possible solution to the problem of a high carbon footprint due to cement production is for the United Nations (UN) to oversee the implementation of sustainable methods in cement production. The UN would work with member countries to develop international policies and standards for sustainable cement production. These policies might include emission reduction
Student Last Name 2
targets, energy efficiency standards, and guidelines for environmentally friendly practices. Setting international standards ensures a consistent approach to sustainable cement production, making it easier for countries to adopt best practices and hold each other accountable. By having the UN oversee the implementation, there's a higher likelihood of international cooperation and compliance. Cement production is a global issue, and the UN is a respected global organization that can unite countries. This would contribute to the worldwide effort to combat climate change and reduce the environmental impact of cement manufacturing. Given the substantial environmental impact of the cement industry's high CO2 emissions and the ongoing debate over sustainable practices, one viable solution is to have the United Nations oversee the implementation of international standards and cooperative efforts to reduce carbon footprints in cement production. As part of this work, the initial phase of source exploration will primarily focus on acquiring background knowledge concerning both the environmental impact of cement production and the suggested solution of a UN sustainable solution. Additionally, to reflect opposing positions regarding the solution, a keyword search for a reason that supports sustainable methods in cement production, such as reduced emissions will be gathered. Then in opposition to the solution finding a quote that disagrees with the solution, such as the additional expense of such measures will be gathered. 1)
Keyword Search:
Carbon Footprint Caused by Cement Production:
“Concrete Needs to Lose Its Colossal Carbon Footprint.” Nature,
vol. 597, no. 7878, 30 Sept.
2021, pp. 593–9428 September, 2021, www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02612-
5. Accessed 12 Oct. 2023.
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“Technological changes can be accelerated through regulation and legislation. A huge proportion of concrete is used in public building projects. In North America alone, public agencies buy as much as one-third of concrete manufactured annually.”
2)
Keyword Search:
Expense in Sustainable Cement Industry:
Marsh, Alastair T., et al. "Circular Economy Strategies for Concrete: Implementation and Integration." Journal of Cleaner Production
, vol. 362, Aug., 2022, p. 132486, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095965262202087X?via%3Dihub.
Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
“
Concrete is the world's most widely-used anthropogenic material, and Circular Economy strategies will be key to addressing the myriad challenges that face its use today and into the future. Despite a rapid growth of research interest in developing Circular Economy strategies for concrete, this has mostly focused on technical and environmental issues at the material and product scale. Holistic approaches considering wider social and political aspects as well as system-scale perspectives have been relatively neglected.” 3) Keyword Search: Concrete Production and Decarbonization/Reduced Emissions:
Olsson, Josefine A., et al. "Near-term Pathways for Decarbonizing Global Concrete Production." Nature Communications
, vol. 14, Dec., 2023, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40302-0. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023. et al. “Near-Term Pathways for Decarbonizing Global Concrete Production.” “
There are several commonly discussed mitigation strategies for these emissions including use of alternative fuels, use of more efficient equipment, carbon capture, utilization and
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Student Last Name 4
storage (CCUS), or reducing the demand for clinker through use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).”