Hemp is a multi-purpose crop that offers materials and resources in multiple forms, and it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more than twice as effectively as trees. Representing only five percent of the world's population, hemp is responsible for 28 percent of the world's carbon emissions, making it an important resource to consider. Carbon-free bioplastics and construction materials manufactured at the plant can be used to replace fiberglass, aluminum and other materials in a variety of applications. The Natural Materials Innovation Center, which is part of the Department of Architecture at the University of Cambridge, carries out research on biomaterials in order to transform the way we build to achieve zero carbon emissions. Darshil Shah, a researcher at Cambridge University, is working with a hemp farm to develop new carbon-free materials that can be used in manufacturing and construction.
The farm grows industrial hemp organically, which further reduces emissions compared to conventional agriculture, where between 30 and 40 percent of emissions come from fertilizers and pesticides. The razors, which are the woody inner part of the stem, can be used to make hemp concrete, an insulating and filling material for walls that does not support loads. Urbanism is one of the best tools we have in the fight against climate change, according to Shah. Forgo's goal is to become net zero emissions in the next five years. Carbon neutrality still allows for carbon emissions, he says.
Hemp farms do the opposite by capturing atmospheric carbon twice as effectively as forests and providing carbon-free biomaterials to architects and designers. Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant, but it contains very low levels of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compared to marijuana, which is another variety. The thorns, which are the woody inner part of the stem, can be used to make hemp concrete, an insulating and filling material for walls that does not support loads. Hemp offers a unique opportunity for us to reduce our carbon footprint and create sustainable materials for construction and manufacturing. Its ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere more than twice as effectively as trees makes it an invaluable resource in our fight against climate change.