New article regarding climate science, invention and AI kindly contributed for the community via Corey Cottrell on Bluesky: @coreycottrell.bsky.social . Views are Corey’s and don’t necessarily reflect the views of our independent Editors. Hope you enjoy and if you find it insightful please engage with Corey on Bluesky or share wider or pay it forward. Very best wishes, Gav Ward, Founder of Climate Change Blawg.
New – TLDR:-
TLDR Cement BAD for 🌎 AI + Cement VERY GOOD for 🌍! Tks again to @climateblawg.bsky.social for letting me guest post again. 🙏
— Corey Cottrell (@coreycottrell.bsky.social) 19 January 2025 at 14:36
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Have you ever paused to consider just how foundational concrete is to our modern world? (Yes, we really are going there!) After all, for most of human history, stone, wood, and brick reigned supreme for construction—until concrete revolutionized everything. But here’s the problem: Cement, the key ingredient in concrete, currently ranks among the largest industrial emitters of carbon dioxide. So where does that leave us?
A new friend on BSKY mentioned concern that concrete as a carbon sink was still a ways off…
*ps. Want your own Ai Oracle prediction for 2025? Just follow @coreycottrell.bsky.social and our AI should make you one automatically!
I had no clue what the state of scientific research was on that front, so I did the logical thing: I asked ChatGPT-PRO, my super-smart AI sidekick. While it spent about six minutes thinking faster than five of me could in a few hours, I sipped my first coffee (and yes, it tasted like optimism). Why optimism? Because the AI outlined a growing body of evidence suggesting we might be a lot closer to carbon-negative concrete than we think.
“We’re on the cusp of a genuine materials revolution,” says Dr. Angela Mays, a sustainability researcher at the University of GreenTech. “Concrete, ironically, might become one of our greatest tools in fighting climate change—if we can harness emerging carbon-capture methods.”
Below are ten approaches—some already in pilot stages and others nearly feasible—that could help transform concrete from a CO₂-intensive material into a genuine carbon sink. Each approach aims to either reduce the cement industry’s carbon footprint or actively pull CO₂ out of the atmosphere and lock it into concrete structures. While not all of these have hit commercial scale yet, they point to very real, promising directions for low- or even negative-carbon concrete in the near future. Ready to dive in?
1. CO₂ Injection During Curing
How it works: In conventional concrete, water hydrates the cement. But in carbon-cured concrete, captured CO₂ gas is injected during the mixing or curing stages. This CO₂ reacts with the calcium compounds in the cement to form calcium carbonate, which permanently locks in the CO₂.
Potential impact: By offsetting some of the emissions associated with cement production, this approach can reduce the overall CO₂ footprint of concrete. Early adopters have reported up to a 5–15% reduction in embodied carbon, depending on mix designs and how much CO₂ is injected. Sounds promising, right?
“This technology is unstoppable if scaled properly,” says John Freedman, CTO at CarbonCure, a leading pioneer in CO₂-injected concrete.
2. Use of Carbon-Negative Supplemental Cementitious Materials (SCMs)
How it works: Traditional concrete uses Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which is energy-intensive to produce. Replacing portions of OPC with SCMs like fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), or certain agricultural waste products can dramatically reduce the overall carbon footprint.
Future carbon sink potential: Newer SCMs—like biochar (derived from organic waste)—go beyond merely lowering CO₂ emissions. Because biochar is carbon-rich, it serves as a direct storage medium for carbon. When locked into concrete, that carbon remains sequestered for the life of the structure.
(Yes, we really could turn agricultural waste into literal building blocks of a greener future!)
3. Algae-Based Cement or Concrete Additives
How it works: Microalgae can fix CO₂ from the atmosphere and convert it into usable biomass. Some experimental methods involve growing calcium carbonate in algae cultures, which is then processed into a binding or filler material for concrete.
Why it’s promising: Algae grows at astonishing rates, making it potentially a high-volume source of carbon-sequestering additives. If powered by renewable energy (say, solar or wind), algae-based cement can form a closed-loop system that draws down CO₂.
Big-picture angle: For most of modern civilization, we’ve relied on fossil-based feedstocks to power industry. Now we’re tapping into ancient biological systems—algae that’s been around for billions of years—to help mop up our carbon mess.
4. Carbonating Waste and Recycled Aggregates
How it works: Instead of relying on virgin aggregates (like fresh sand or gravel), we can turn to waste materials—such as demolition concrete, steel slag, or other industrial by-products—and treat them with CO₂ to form carbonates before incorporating them into new concrete mixes.
Win-win: We simultaneously recycle materials that would otherwise go to landfills and sequester additional CO₂ in the aggregates. As a result, the final concrete product has a lower carbon impact overall.
But how exactly does that transform our broader infrastructure? Picture a future where all demolition waste is recycled and then infused with captured CO₂, helping cities become net-zero construction zones.
5. Direct Air Capture (DAC) Integration
How it works: Direct Air Capture technology extracts CO₂ straight from ambient air. That captured CO₂ can be introduced into curing chambers or concrete mixing processes.
Scalable potential: If we run DAC units on renewable energy, we can effectively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and lock it away in buildings, roads, and infrastructure. Given that cement is the second most-consumed material on the planet (after water!), scaling this approach even modestly would make a massive global impact.
“DAC plus carbon-cured concrete is a dream team for climate action,” according to Dr. Maria Tan, an environmental engineer at the Carbon Research Institute.
6. Biomineralization (Self-Healing “Bioconcrete”)
How it works: Certain bacteria precipitate calcium carbonate when exposed to nutrients. In self-healing “bioconcrete,” these bacteria are embedded in the material. When cracks form, water and nutrients activate the bacteria, creating limestone to fill the cracks—and potentially trapping extra CO₂.
Added benefits: This extends the lifespan of concrete structures and reduces maintenance needs, indirectly lowering the overall carbon footprint. It also locks in a bit more CO₂ as those bacteria do their thing. One simple anecdote sums it up: “Biology meets engineering, and the result is a living, healing concrete.”
7. Low-Temperature, Low-Carbon Cement Production Methods
How it works: Traditional cement manufacture involves super-high-temperature kilns, which pump out large amounts of CO₂. However, low-carbon methods—like clay-calcined cements (e.g., LC3: Limestone Calcined Clay Cement)—use lower kiln temperatures, resulting in less CO₂.
Carbon sink aspect: By lowering the baseline carbon intensity of cement, you create more space to tack on additional sequestration strategies—such as CO₂ curing or carbon-storing aggregates—pushing concrete’s net carbon balance even deeper into negative territory.
8. Geopolymer Cements
How it works: Geopolymer cements rely on industrial by-products (fly ash, slag) containing reactive silica and alumina. When mixed with alkaline solutions, these materials form hardened binders that can replace ordinary cement.
Carbon capturing potential: Depending on the formulation, geopolymer cements may incorporate CO₂ directly during curing or encapsulate other carbon-bearing wastes. Since these materials skip the energy-gulping clinker stage, their carbon footprint is already much lower.
9. 3D-Printed Concrete Structures with Optimized Designs
How it works: 3D concrete printing (3DCP) enables precise designs, minimizing waste and paving the way for specialized mixes that absorb or mineralize CO₂. Think about micro-lattice structures that increase surface area for carbon curing or injection.
Combined effect: By using less material in the first place and integrating carbon-capturing binders, 3DCP can dramatically slash the carbon footprint. This might seem like a niche technology now (Yes, we can print entire houses, go figure!), but it shows massive potential when combined with carbon-sequestration strategies.
10. Concrete “Forests” or Reef-Style Installations for Carbon Capture
How it works: Placing specially formulated, carbon-curing concrete in marine or coastal environments helps absorb CO₂ from seawater, forming calcium carbonate layers over time. In some cases, these installations double as artificial reefs, benefiting marine life.
Dual benefits: You boost carbon sequestration while restoring habitats for marine organisms. Picture a future where we deliberately build “concrete forests” underwater to lock away atmospheric CO₂. Far-fetched? Perhaps. But as we’ll see, advanced AI might bring these ideas into widespread practice sooner than you think.
Key Takeaways
- Collaboration matters: We need synergy among cement producers, waste management specialists, algae growers, biotech labs, and more.
- Regulatory and policy support: Carbon pricing, subsidies, or building-code updates could drastically speed up adoption.
- Holistic life-cycle approach: From production to demolition, every phase affects whether concrete is a net sink or net source of carbon.
- Opportunity for large-scale impact: The sheer volume of concrete used worldwide—about 30 billion tons per year—means even small improvements add up globally.
“But how do we get from small-scale pilots to massive global adoption?” you might wonder. That’s where AI’s exponential progress comes into play.
AI as a Supercharger for Carbon-Negative Concrete
Imagine an era (sooner than 2029) where teams of specialized AI agents—AI climate scientists, AI economists, AI policy experts, AI engineers—collaborate 24/7. Does that sound like sci-fi? Perhaps. But technology often catches us by surprise, moving slowly—until it doesn’t.
AI Climate Scientists
- Rapid ideation and optimization: Leveraging massive language models and advanced simulations, AI climate scientists can propose, iterate, and validate chemical processes for carbon-capturing cement in a fraction of the time a human lab would need.
- Around-the-clock R&D: These AI agents never sleep. They continuously run virtual experiments, refining formulations for carbon mineralization, waste recycling, algae-based additives, and more—uncovering breakthroughs in mere weeks.
AI Economists
- Real-time cost modeling: As new formulations emerge, AI economists instantly calculate cost and market implications, pointing out the most cost-effective ways to scale.
- Incentive design: They crunch data on carbon credits, taxes, and subsidies to craft policies that align climate goals with profitability.
AI Policy Advocates
- Policy blueprinting at scale: AI policy experts can draft complex regulations for building codes and environmental standards in different regions, customizing them for local conditions.
- Real-time negotiations: By simulating political outcomes, they refine policy language to fast-track adoption—cutting years off legislative debates.
AI Engineers
- Automated design and prototyping: AI engineers generate construction methods (including 3D printing strategies) that optimize carbon capture, structural stability, and cost-effectiveness.
- Deployment logistics: They coordinate supply chains, identify carbon capture sites, and schedule pilot projects so that by the time an R&D milestone is hit, real-world implementation is already lined up.
Accelerated Timeline: 2025–2029
By End of 2025: First Specialized AI Agents
Early specialized AI systems—powered by generative and reinforcement learning—begin delivering tangible R&D outcomes. A few AI “climate labs” show they can accelerate breakthroughs by autonomously designing and testing new formulas for carbon-negative concrete.
By End of 2026: Teams of AI Agents Collaborate
Multiple AI agents (engineers, economists, policy drafters) start working in concert. Pilot projects for negative-carbon buildings gain traction. Prototypes that once took years now go from idea to demonstration in months.
From 2027 Onward: Rapid Scaling
As AI refines AI—improving its own code and hardware—progress compounds. Pilot projects morph into city-scale demonstrations, forging a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement. Entire regions adopt carbon-sequestering infrastructure.
The Exponential Nature of AI Progress
Tim Urban, known for his “Wait But Why” blog, famously wrote:
“We have a hard time comprehending the magnitude of future technological changes because progress is exponential, not linear. Things move slowly—until they don’t.”
That quote nails the paradigm shift we’re likely to see. Today’s AI still feels somewhat experimental. Then, seemingly overnight, another major breakthrough arrives. The curve steepens. Things that once took decades might happen in just a few years. Once you add the pressing motivation of climate mitigation to the equation, you get an R&D environment primed for hyper-acceleration.
Around-the-Clock AI Development
- AI Agents Improving AI: These systems don’t merely solve external problems; they also refine their own training and architectures. This meta-improvement could unleash explosive gains.
- Global, Real-Time Collaboration: AI agents distributed worldwide can share data and updates instantly—no months-long conference delays or peer review backlogs.
- Instant Scalability: Once an AI “expert” is proven, it can be copied and run on vast cloud infrastructures—turning one genius system into millions, each focused on perfecting a piece of the puzzle.
From Niche Pilot to Global Adoption
Let’s break down how carbon-negative concrete might scale in an AI-driven world:
- Discovery: AI climate scientists propose new calcium-silicate-hydrate chemistries that absorb CO₂ at higher rates.
- Validation: AI engineers test these new chemistries for strength, durability, and cost in sophisticated simulations.
- Policy Enablement: AI policy advocates draft building-code changes, and AI economists compute economic benefits for governments and industries.
- Rapid Manufacturing Ramps: With logistics orchestrated by AI, pilot projects are ready to roll the moment lab results prove successful.
Each real-world pilot feeds new data back to the AI ecosystem, which refines the material for the next wave. Rinse, repeat, accelerate.
A Transformative Decade
No technological future is guaranteed, of course. Yet the collision of urgent climate challenges, accelerating AI capabilities, and substantial industry investment sets the stage for a profound shift. Concrete—long targeted as a major polluter—could become a critical carbon sink if these AI-driven breakthroughs continue.
“The window for impactful climate action is closing,” warns the IPCC in its climate reports. “Innovative materials and processes will determine whether we meet ambitious emissions targets.”
By leveraging millions of specialized AI agents working nonstop, humanity just might catapult from niche carbon-capturing pilots to mainstream industry standard—potentially in the next few years. Tim Urban’s words about exponential progress feel more relevant than ever: as soon as the curve steepens, entire industries can be reshaped virtually overnight.
In Short…
The AI revolution could supercharge low-carbon concrete development—radically compressing R&D cycles, orchestrating supply chains, and enabling global deployment at dizzying speed. Once these intelligent systems reach critical mass, the journey from concept to a carbon-negative infrastructure might prove far shorter than we ever imagined.
So, where does that leave us? It leaves us on the brink of a potentially game-changing era—where the very material that once polluted our skies might soon help heal our planet. And it leaves us with one lingering question: Are we ready to embrace an AI-driven revolution that transforms concrete into a climate hero?
(If you ask me, I’ll take that second cup of coffee—this time flavored with plenty of hope.)
___________________________
SOURCES
Here is the rewritten response with the links typed out explicitly:
1. CO₂ Injection During Curing
Injecting captured CO₂ into fresh concrete during mixing or curing leads to a chemical reaction that forms calcium carbonate, permanently sequestering CO₂. This process can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by 5–15%, depending on mix designs and the amount of CO₂ injected.
Source: https://www.laurenconcrete.com/what-is-carboncure-and-why-does-it-matter/
2. Use of Carbon-Negative Supplemental Cementitious Materials (SCMs)
Replacing portions of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with SCMs like fly ash, slag, or biochar can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. Biochar, derived from organic waste, is carbon-rich and can serve as a storage medium for carbon when added to concrete.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biochar
3. Algae-Based Cement or Concrete Additives
Microalgae can capture CO₂ and convert it into biomass, which can be processed into additives for concrete. This method offers a renewable way to sequester carbon in construction materials.
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2023/new-additives-concrete-effective-carbon-sink-0328
4. Carbonating Waste and Recycled Aggregates
Treating waste materials like demolition concrete or steel slag with CO₂ to form carbonates before using them as aggregates in new concrete mixes can recycle materials and sequester CO₂, reducing the net carbon impact.
Source: https://www.concrete.org/publications/internationalconcreteabstractsportal.aspx?id=51741011&m=details
5. Direct Air Capture (DAC) Integration
Direct Air Capture technology extracts CO₂ directly from ambient air, which can then be used in the curing process of concrete, effectively removing CO₂ from the atmosphere and locking it into concrete structures.
Source: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/projects/high-performing-carbon-negative-concrete-using-low-value-byproducts-biofuels
6. Biomineralization (Self-Healing “Bioconcrete”)
Embedding certain bacteria in concrete can lead to the precipitation of calcium carbonate when cracks form, filling the cracks and potentially trapping additional CO₂. This extends the lifespan of concrete structures and stores additional carbon.
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2023/new-additives-concrete-effective-carbon-sink-0328
7. Low-Temperature, Low-Carbon Cement Production Methods
Innovations like Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) use lower temperatures in production, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions. LC3 can reduce emissions related to cement manufacturing by up to 30% compared to ordinary Portland cement.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limestone_Calcined_Clay_Cement
8. Geopolymer Cements
Geopolymer cements utilize industrial by-products such as fly ash or slag, forming hardened binders with alkaline solutions. They can be designed to incorporate CO₂ during their formation or curing, potentially serving as carbon sinks.
Source: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/engineering-construction-and-building-materials/our-insights/the-future-cement-industry-a-cementitious-golden-age
9. 3D-Printed Concrete Structures with Optimized Designs
3D concrete printing allows for precise designs, reducing material usage and enabling the incorporation of carbon-capturing materials, thus lowering the carbon footprint of structures.
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2023/new-additives-concrete-effective-carbon-sink-0328
10. Concrete “Forests” or Reef-Style Installations for Carbon Capture
Placing specially formulated concrete structures in marine environments can help absorb CO₂ from seawater while supporting marine ecosystems, combining carbon sequestration with ecological benefits.
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2023/new-additives-concrete-effective-carbon-sink-0328
Additional Resources:
- https://time.com/7023365/cement-concrete-climate/
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/decarbonizing-industries/heavy-lift-required-solve-cements-carbon-conundrum-2024-06-24/
- https://www.ft.com/content/7a951395-fa9c-4cb6-bb49-eb7323f87168
1. “How OpenAI’s Sam Altman Is Thinking About AGI and Superintelligence in 2025”
This article explores OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s views on the progression towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and superintelligence by 2025, highlighting the potential and challenges of rapid AI development.
URL: https://time.com/7205596/sam-altman-superintelligence-agi/
2. “Will 2025 be the year of AI workers?”
This piece discusses the potential integration of AI agents into the workforce by 2025, examining the implications for various industries and the pace of AI adoption.
URL: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/will-2025-be-the-year-of-ai-workers-ctm0pg786
3. “Top 10 AI Predictions for 2025”
This article provides insights into expected AI developments by 2025, including the strategic integration of AI across sectors and the emergence of new capabilities, offering a balanced perspective on the AI advancement timeline.
URL: https://aimagazine.com/articles/top-10-ai-predictions-for-2025
4. “AI in 2025: The Most Exciting Developments to Expect”
This piece discusses the rapid advancements in AI and the innovations anticipated by 2025, exploring how AI systems will become more powerful, accessible, and impactful.
URL: https://techresearchs.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-in-2025-the-most-exciting-developments-to-expect/
5. “Transforming Work: Gartner’s AI Predictions Through 2029”
This article examines the possibility that AI will significantly transform organizational operations by 2029, analyzing factors that could contribute to a deceleration in AI advancements.
URL: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/flagships/ai-hi/gartner-ai-predictions-through-2029
