Malgorzata TOMCZAK
Wood - the material of the future?
The climate crisis is a fact. It is also a fact that construction and architecture are responsible for roughly thirty percent of carbon dioxide emissions per year (depending on the indicators taken into account - up to fifty percent). It looks like we are facing a climate catastrophe if we don't act soon.
One idea to combat climate change is the use of wood in architecture. 0.8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions are absorbed by each cubic meter of wood that is used in construction, with older trees absorbing less than younger ones. Wood is a renewable resource, helps regulate indoor humidity, and is a good sound insulator. We like it because it is warm and pleasant. The latest technologies also make wood fireproof and even more durable. But will it really become an effective alternative to the problems of civilization that architecture and construction are responsible for? Will wood replace concrete and steel?
In today's world, however, nothing is simple anymore. Developing a sustainable model for harvesting wood so as not to upset the ecological balance is not all that easy. But we certainly need to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and make informed decisions right from the design stage.
