Unlike plastic, traces of cement are not found in food, nor seen stuck in the bellies of wildlife, fish, and birds. Hence, on the surface, it doesn’t seem as evil. In fact, it’s the favourite foundation material for both urban and rural populations because it’s robust, reliable, can hold water in our dams and keep us safe in our homes. Besides, it’s affordable.
But cement is responsible for almost 8% of the carbon emissions on the planet. Its impact on the environment is conveniently ignored for the larger profit. In fact, by the time you read this article, millions of litres of cement will already have been poured across the globe to create infrastructure that lasts for decades.
But a man from Karnataka is addressing this issue. Since 2005, Mysuru-based architect Rajesh Kumar Jain has been taking concrete steps to reduce carbon footprint. Through his venture, Regional Low Energy Environment-Friendly (RLEEF), the 45-year-old reuses cement from construction debris to build…