Fungi's role in environmental cleanup and construction innovation

In Cleveland, a novel approach harnesses fungi's power to address pollution and housing crises.

Nick Hilden reports for the BBC.

In short:

• Scientists explore fungi to decompose toxic waste from abandoned homes, transforming it into construction materials.
• The process creates "mycoblocks," a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials, stronger than concrete.
• This initiative not only tackles waste management but also aims at reducing carbon emissions significantly.

Key quote:

"I think mycelium will be the unsung hero of climate change."

— Joanne Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Mycocycle

Why this matters:

Scientists and environmentalists are exploring innovative uses of fungi to tackle various waste challenges, from breaking down plastics to transforming agricultural byproducts into valuable commodities.

A 2021 study highlighted the relationship between seasonal climate variability and soil microbial communities.