The hidden climate cost of everything around us

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on MIT Technology Review or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Global demand for materials like steel, aluminum, and cement has significantly increased, leading to a surge in greenhouse gas emissions
• This demand is a major contributor to climate concerns, as these industries are responsible for about a quarter of global emissions

🔭 The context: Steel and cement production are particularly impactful, with their energy-intensive processes
• Steel production, a major contributor to emissions, relies heavily on high-energy processes using blast furnaces, contributing around 7% of all energy-related emissions
• Cement production is another major emitter, accounting for over 7% of global CO2 emissions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Addressing the environmental impact of material production is crucial for tackling climate change
• Innovations in cleaner production methods are emerging, such as using hydrogen in steel production and water-electricity-based processes for cement, indicating a shift towards more sustainable practices

⏭️ What's next: Startups and companies are exploring ways to reduce the carbon footprint of material production, which is vital for climate goals

📈 One stat: Steel and iron production generates about 2.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year

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