An Important Decision for Climate Change: Sequestering Carbon in Materials or Underground?

Abstract

A first-order analysis concludes it is feasible to store the carbon needed to meet the Paris targets in structural materials and use less energy and at a lower cost than our use of extractive materials, steel, aluminum, and concrete. Switching to a synthetic material industry using CO2 from the air will stimulate economic growth and create increased equity while addressing the threat of climate change. The positive feedback between them will accelerate reaching a global accord to address the dual threats of climate change and equity and may, in fact, be needed to avoid the catastrophic consequences of failing to meet them on time.