From Allan Aoyama
While rather outlandish ideas are being proposed to compete for Richard Branson’s carbon sequestration prize (17 February, p 5), I nominate John Harrison of Tasmania and his alternative cement based on magnesium carbonate (13 July 2002, p 39). Manufacturing this produces fewer carbon dioxide emissions than calcium-silicate-based Portland cement, and it absorbs more CO2 as it hardens.
If, instead of giving away money for ideas, Branson put that money towards a pilot plant and construction project he could radically change the construction industry and at the same time remove carbon dioxide from the environment – without resorting to tinkering with ecosystems where the consequences are unpredictable, such as dumping iron into the sea to promote plankton blooms.
People will build. Why not use a construction material that contributes to the solution?
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
