wood
Would you live in a wood high-rise? An experiment in green architecture
It is right to say that the construction of one of the tallest timber buildings in the world — the Sara Cultural Center here — began when a pine seedling was planted in a nearby commercial forest almost a century ago.
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Sadiq Khan in U-turn on ‘eco’ wood-burners amid pollution fears
The Guardian reporters Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Skyler King write that the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has withdrawn his endorsement of wood-burning stoves promoted as “environmentally friendly” after a surge in sales of the appliances, which contribute to harmful air pollution.
In a nutshell:
In 2018, Khan endorsed Ecodesign stoves to encourage households to switch from open fires and older stoves, but their emissions of toxic particulate matter have raised health concerns. Domestic wood burning has increased significantly, resulting in more small particle pollution than all road traffic in the UK, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The mayor's decision comes as part of his commitment to tackle air pollution and the climate crisis in London.
Key quote:
A spokesperson for the mayor said: “The mayor has made it one of his top priorities to tackle the twin dangers of London’s air pollution and the climate crisis.
The big picture:
Exposure to PM2.5 particulate matter emitted by wood-burning stoves poses significant health risks. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The harmful effects of PM2.5 have been linked to premature deaths, and concerns have been raised over the increasing levels of wood-burning emissions in urban areas. Health experts emphasize the need for proper awareness and regulation to address the health implications of using wood-burning stoves.
Read the article at The Guardian.
Around the world, nearly three billion people rely on solid fuels (primarily wood, dung, crop residues, and charcoal) to meet cooking and heating needs. The resulting pollution is estimated to account for three million premature deaths per year, largely from pneumonia in children, writes Misbath Daouda.
Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
Four ways to make your BBQ grill better for your health and the environment this summer
Washington Post reporter Michael J. Coren writes about how to choose the best way to grill for the climate.
In a nutshell:
Charcoal, a staple for backyard barbecues, is a murky industry with little transparency and potential environmental and health concerns. Charcoal production contributes to deforestation in tropical countries, and studies have found heavy metals in charcoal briquettes. While most charcoal brands in the United States are safe, consumers can make better choices by considering options such as using hardwood embers, supporting eco-friendly charcoal producers like Good Charcoal Co., or opting for propane or electric grills, or even solar cookers, for convenience and environmental benefits.
Key quote:
Jonathan Rosenberg, the general manager at Supperland in Charlotte, feeds more than 250 people a day from a 14-foot wood-fired grill. “We want really controlled heat sources,” he says “We don’t use briquettes, which have a lot of additives.”
The big picture:
Greenhouse gas emissions from grills and barbecues are minimal; since meat drives 57 percent of all food product emissions, what you grill is more important than how you cook it. However, studies have revealed that certain charcoal briquettes may contain heavy metals, which can pose risks when consumed through food cooked over them. In addition, the production of charcoal often leads to deforestation in tropical regions, exacerbating environmental concerns. While many charcoal brands in the United States are considered safe, it is essential to be aware of the potential health and environmental implications associated with the use of charcoal in barbecues.
Read more about your grilling options at the Washington Post.
Interested in learning more about how our food choices can help (or harm) the environment? Check out this article by Bill Schlesinger, providing ways to reduce the environmental impact of your morning coffee.
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Photo by Khara Woods on Unsplash
The largest ‘wooden city’ in the world is going up in Stockholm
In an old industrial zone in Stockholm filled with former factory buildings and parking lots, developers are planning to build a “wooden city”—the largest mass-timber development in the world, with 30 wood buildings spanning 25 blocks.
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Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
The giving forest, and a tribe’s sustainable logging practices
The Menominee tribe has sustainably logged its forest in Wisconsin for 160 years. But that careful balance faces a crisis: too many trees and too few loggers.
Photo by Dmitry Bukhantsov on Unsplash
Climate threatens carbon forest offset projects
Regions most at risk of losing forest carbon through fire, climate stress, or insect damage are precisely those regions where many forest carbon offset projects are located, report researchers.
Coconut & lemon: Ingredients for energy-efficient buildings
Infusing engineered wood with citrus peel and coconut oil extracts gives a sustainable material that stores heat during the day and releases it at night.
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