Keynote Speech: Climate and Construction: Chained by Carbon – A Perspective
Synopsis
The enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by various industries have resulted in global climate imbalance. The United Nations report that carbon dioxide levels have pushed passed another record threshold, after rising in 2019 at a rate faster than the average for the last 10 years. Climate impacts are compounding threats to human health, security and economic stability posed by COVID-19. Even with pandemic lockdowns slowing economic activity, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have continued to rise. It is now well known that, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, global emissions must be reduced by 45% by 2030, from 2010 levels. This can be accomplished only through a collective effort where anthropogenic and natural systems are harmonized. From a perspective of construction, a large industry responsible for the well-being and progress of humanity, many actions can be adopted, some of which are listed here.
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