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Quiz 1 (2)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What two materials are responsible for the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions in construction? | Steel and concrete. |
| What does the term "mineral" literally mean? | The word literally means “substances obtained by mining.” In the context of the sources, it generally refers to solid, inorganic, and naturally occurring elements or compounds. |
| Why is it often better to retrofit an existing structure than to build a new one? | Most emissions in new construction are concentrated in the structure and enclosure. Retrofitting avoids generating the massive "up-front" emissions required for a new structure |
| Why is steel production moving toward a higher degree of "circularity"? | It is driven by economics. It is increasingly easier and cheaper to harvest metals like steel and copper from the industrial ecosystem (scrap) than to mine raw land in distant locales |
| What is "Hydrogen Direct Reduction" in steelmaking? | It is a nascent technology where green hydrogen (produced via renewable energy) replaces pulverized coal or "coke" to heat and remove oxygen from iron ore, potentially creating CO2-free steel |
| What are "stranded assets" in the steel industry? | These are obsolete factories and equipment (specifically blast oxygen furnaces) that may lose their value as the industry is forced to transition to cleaner technologies. China and India are currently at high risk for billions of dollars in these assets |
| What should a developer or architect ask for to compare the carbon footprint of different products? | They should request Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) to make informed choices based on longevity, health effects, and embodied carbon. |
| How do plants act as "carbon capture" machines? | Plants perform photosynthesis, using sunlight to turn atmospheric carbon into solid biomass (fibers), while releasing oxygen as a byproduct |
| What is "Mass Timber," and why is it significant? | Mass timber (e.g., CLT, glulam) refers to large structural elements made of wood. It is considered a "gateway drug" to the wider world of carbon-storing materials because it can substitute for carbon-heavy concrete and steel in large buildings |
| Why is the carbon accounting for wood more complex than just measuring the weight of the timber? | Only 30–50% of a harvested tree typically ends up in a building. The rest (roots, branches/slash, sawdust) often decomposes or is burned, returning its carbon to the atmosphere. Additionally, cutting a tree removes an ongoing carbon sink |
| What is "soil carbon" and why is it a concern during logging? | Forests store massive amounts of carbon in their root systems and soil—as much as 75% in northern boreal forests. When logging exposes the soil to sun and rain, much of this carbon can be lost to the atmosphere |
| What is "Coppicing"? | An ancient practice of cutting certain hardwood species so they grow new shoots from the same root system. This allows for wood harvesting while maintaining the integrity of the forest ecosystem for hundreds of year |
| What is the difference between "planting trees" and "growing forests"? | Planting trees often results in monoculture plantations, which store less carbon and lack biodiversity. Growing forests involves supporting diverse, long-lasting ecosystems that provide multiple natural services beyond just timber production |
| What is "Biophilic Design"? | The incorporation of natural forms and materials into buildings to bring experiences of nature to occupants, which has been shown to have positive psychological and health impacts |
| What are some non-metallic alternative for reinforcing concrete? | Non-metallic bars can be made from melted basalt or sand (fiberglass) |
| Why is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) problematic for the climate despite its strength? | CFRP is extremely energy and emission intensive to produce and, unlike most metals, it is very difficult to recycle |
| What is the "heat, beat, and treat" approach? | describes : large amounts of fuel and chemical energy to transform raw materials. In contrast, plant-based materials often have low-intensity production because their desired properties are already built into their fiber structure |
| Roughly how much sustainable biomass is available in the U.S. annually for building materials? | Research suggests approximately 677 million tons of biomass (representing 2.5 billion tons of stored CO2) are available annually from agricultural residues, waste fibers, and forest residues |
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