Can we build our cities out of living carbon?
In short: The construction industry is responsible for nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions. To solve the climate crisis, architect Michael Green argues we must move beyond concrete and steel toward a fifth building material: natural, carbon-sequestering biomaterials inspired by the structural logic of plants.
Our current built environment relies on four primary materials: concrete, steel, masonry, and wood. While these have enabled modern civilization, their heavy environmental footprint is now a central hurdle in addressing global climate change. Michael Green identifies this as a fundamental construction conundrum that requires a radical shift in how we conceive of urban infrastructure. The four main materials currently used by humans are concrete, steel, masonry, and wood. These traditional options have a heavy environmental impact on our planet.
Green's vision involves replacing high-emission materials with structures modeled after the biological architecture of trees and plants. Instead of merely reducing harm, these new biomaterials are designed to be carbon-sequestering. By mimicking natural growth patterns, this approach seeks to turn buildings into active participants in carbon management rather than passive contributors to atmospheric pollution. This new medium is inspired specifically by the structure of trees and plants. It represents an entirely new option for future construction projects. This approach aims to lay the groundwork for a truly sustainable future.
The goal is a systemic transformation of an industry that generates nearly 40 percent of the world's carbon emissions. By shifting toward cities made of these natural building blocks, architects aim to create a sustainable future where our built environment works in harmony with ecological processes. Michael Green wants to transform our built environment into cities made of these structures. He proposes this as a specific solution to our current construction conundrum. The TED Institute works with various partners to identify creators who can help spur such innovation.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Natural Building Blocks of Sustainable Architecture | Michael Green | TED
- Also: Michael Green: The natural building blocks of sustainable architecture
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