Our world’s coastlines are turning into concrete at a huge cost to wildlife & our climate. Hong Kong’s Zhuhai-Macau bridge used 1 million tonnes of concrete, critically endangering Pink Dolphins. Their population plummeted by 60%.
3 tonnes of concrete is used per year for every person in the world. Production of concrete is a huge emitter of CO2. 8% of the carbon footprint comes from the concrete industry & production of cement. Generates 2.8 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. Concrete accounts for 70% of coastal & marine infrastructure – ports, defence, water-fronts. 60% of China’s coast is effectively concrete. 14,000 miles of US coastline is concrete.
Scientists say over 1 metre of sea level may rise in the next 50 years. Hope we can find creative & sustainable solutions to balance economic development with the impact on our environment. Eco-shorelines may be the answer.
