Description
A fascinating history of the carbon footprint of our concrete world--from ancient Roman architecture to urban cityscapes--and the trouble it spells for sustainability amidst rapid climate change
For readers of The Sixth Extinction and The Uninhabitable Earth, Concrete explores the history of a material that has been central to architecture and design for thousands of years--and what its future looks like in a world experiencing rapid climate change. Imagine what the world would be like without concrete: there'd be no high-rises, no grand irrigation projects, no lettuce from southern climes in the winter, no multi-lane highways crisscrossing continents, a shortage of electricity, more mud in some places, more solitude in others. But because of the fossil fuels and other resources required to make concrete, there also would be less CO2 in the atmosphere and less dramatic climate change. In Concrete: From Ancient Origins to a Problematic Future, Soderstrom tells the story of concrete's glorious past, extravagant present, and uncertain future with careful research, lively anecdotes, and thoughtful reflection. The framework for this exploration is one the Romans--famous for concrete structures that are still strong--would understand: the four elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air.Author: Mary Soderstrom
Publisher: University of Regina Press
Published: 10/10/2020
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.65d
ISBN13: 9780889777804
ISBN10: 0889777802
BISAC Categories:
- Nature | Environmental Conservation & Protection | General
- Architecture | Methods & Materials
- History | General
About the Author
Mary Soderstrom has come far from her birthplace of Walla Walla, Washington. A world traveller, Soderstrom is now a Canadian and Montrealer. She is also the award-winning author of more than a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including her acclaimed Road Through Time: The Story of Humanity on the Move, and most recently, Frenemy Nations: Love and Hate between Neighbo(u)ring States.
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