There is so much about the ocean that is unknown to us — scientists estimate...

Future Earth 1 year ago

There is so much about the ocean that is unknown to us — scientists estimate that the majority of ocean species have yet to be classified, and that more than eighty percent of our ocean is unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. 

The deep sea mining industry wants to push forward with their projects despite all warnings from the international science community. Scientists are warning us that deep sea mining would cause irreparable damage to an ecosystem we know very little about. 

We need to shift away from a culture that treats ecosystems like resources to be consumed. It’s important we stand by all the experts and scientists warning us against this reckless industry. Once the damage is done, it’ll be too late. 

Comic source: NPR. This comic was written and illustrated by Angela Hsieh, based on reporting from Berly McCoy. It was art directed by Emily Bogle and edited by Rebecca Ramirez.
 Statistics in caption source: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-species.html

layersDaily Sustainability Digest

Published about 7 hours ago



Europe’s transition towards sustainable construction gained tangible momentum through new technological and policy advancements redefining environmental sustainability in construction. The EU‑funded INDTEGRATE project is positioning green hydrogen within industrial processes, linking Whole Life Carbon Assessment to real supply chain transformation. By integrating renewable energy into steel and concrete production, the initiative points to reduced embodied carbon in materials and measurable carbon footprint reduction across high‑impact manufacturing. This shift aligns with broader goals around net zero Whole Life Carbon and low carbon design, marking a definitive step toward decarbonising the built environment.

The closure of blast furnaces at Port Talbot demonstrates structural change rather than incremental low‑impact construction, showing how carbon neutral construction can immediately cut regional emissions. The UK’s Defra Farming Roadmap 2050 is redefining the interface between agriculture and sustainable building design, promoting regenerative landscapes and infrastructure prepared for a climate‑adapted future. It supports the Circular Economy in construction by linking eco‑design for buildings with resource efficiency in construction and end‑of‑life reuse in construction, connecting rural resilience with low carbon building practices.

Growing investment in modular and offshore techniques reflects demand for Whole Life Carbon management and lifecycle assessment throughout supply chains. Training for energy‑efficient buildings and low embodied carbon materials is strengthening workforce capability, embedding life cycle thinking in construction and reinforcing sustainable material specification. Regulation is tightening around the environmental impact of construction, driving transparency through environmental product declarations (EPDs) and accountability consistent with breeam and breeam v7 performance criteria.

The conversation surrounding green construction is evolving from pilot schemes to long‑term policy alignment framed by Life Cycle Cost and circular construction strategies. The sector is adopting sustainable building practices that deliver measurable building lifecycle performance across net zero carbon buildings. As the tools for sustainable design move from concept to implementation, eco‑friendly construction underpinned by renewable building materials and green infrastructure is becoming integral to sustainable urban development and the future of low carbon construction materials.

Show More

camera_altFeatured Instagram Posts:

Get your opinion heard:

Whole Life Carbon is a platform for the entire construction industry—both in the UK and internationally. We track the latest publications, debates, and events related to whole life guidance and sustainability. If you have any enquiries or opinions to share, please do get in touch.

Let's chat!
Avatar

WLC Assistant

Ask me about sustainability

Hi! I'm your Whole Life Carbon assistant. I can help you learn about sustainability, carbon assessment, and navigate our resources. How can I help you today?