The challenging situation of global warming has been attributed to the
increase in concrete jungles and the depletion in green covers across the
globe. But this might just become a problem of the past, as fungi could be the
solution to all the concretization issues of the world.
According to Ian Fletcher, senior professor of Architecture, Leeds
Beckett University, fungi can actually be used to create a green construction
industry. The actual construction material is derived from fungi. They are
called mycelium composites. This material is created by growing mycelium – the
thread-like main body of a fungus – of certain mushroom-producing fungi on
agricultural wastes.
Current updates confirm that together, buildings and construction contributes to
39% of the world’s carbon footprint. Energy used to heat, cool and light
buildings accounts for 28% of these emissions too. Amongst these, households
are the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases since 2015, accounting for a quarter of
total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2017.
While the current corona virus outbreak has reduced the temporary
carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, the use of alternate sustainable
construction material will show long term benefits.
It is not so much as aviation fuel, but construction material that is
responsible for the growing carbon emission levels in the world. According to
Fletcher’s commendable research findings, Mycelium are mainly composed of a web
of filaments called “hyphae”, which acts as a natural binder, growing to form
huge networks called “mycelia”. These grow by digesting nutrients from
agricultural waste while bonding to the surface of the waste material, acting as
natural self-assembling glue. The entire process uses biological growth rather
than expensive, energy intensive manufacturing processes.
A New York based architectural firm has already made
use of organic mycelium. Another structure stands in Seoul Biennale of Architecture
and Urbanism exhibition. Adds Fletcher,
“The development of mycelium materials from locally sourced agricultural waste
could reduce the construction industry’s reliance on traditional materials,
which could improve its carbon footprint. Mycelium composite manufacturing also
has the potential to be a major driving force in developing new bio-industries
in rural areas, generating sustainable economic growth while creating new jobs.”
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