Science & Technology

A Concrete Plan for Sustainable Cement | Ryan Gilliam | TED

Cement is one of the most-consumed materials on Earth — second only to water — and it accounts for a whopping eight percent of the world’s carbon pollution. What if we could turn this climate villain into a hero? Clean tech innovator and serial entrepreneur Ryan Gilliam reveals his company’s surprisingly simple process for transforming…

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Cement is one of the most-consumed materials on Earth — second only to water — and it accounts for a whopping eight percent of the world’s carbon pollution. What if we could turn this climate villain into a hero? Clean tech innovator and serial entrepreneur Ryan Gilliam reveals his company’s surprisingly simple process for transforming waste from the cement-making process back into limestone using existing infrastructure, creating a competitive and eco-friendly product that could pave the way for gigaton-scale climate solutions. (Recorded at TED Countdown: Overcoming Dilemmas in the Green Transition on October 30, 2024)

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20 Comments

  1. @Eva-g5n4l

    April 1, 2025 at 7:02 am

    Thank you for working so diligently on your content. Your videos are always a source of inspiration and enjoyment for me.
    🔥🔥🔥 6 🌝

  2. @Olivia-y4v1q

    April 1, 2025 at 7:02 am

    The videos you create are always so stylish and interesting. They are a real treat for the eyes and mind. Keep on pleasing us with your talent!🥅🧉💫

  3. @sooma-ai

    April 1, 2025 at 7:11 am

    Ryan Gilliam presents a solution to reduce cement’s carbon footprint by transforming waste CO2 back into limestone. His company’s process integrates with existing cement plants, potentially cutting emissions by 70-100% while remaining economically competitive.

    • @jwyllor

      April 1, 2025 at 11:58 am

      The name says it all. AI is in the name of this commenter. I see the bots are testing the waters on faking comments now.

  4. @tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192

    April 1, 2025 at 7:15 am

    Just to say THANK YOU🙏🏼

  5. @tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192

    April 1, 2025 at 7:16 am

    Thank you for understanding🙏🏼

    • @tka-tpa-prapatankalisari45192

      April 1, 2025 at 7:16 am

      Thank you for everything🙏🏼

  6. @Whoknowswhere12

    April 1, 2025 at 7:24 am

    A solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. If this is ever going to be used the manufacturers will need to be able to write it off or some other benefit that outweighs the current formula. Maybe in a decade or two

    • @zealottk

      April 1, 2025 at 7:38 am

      This makes no sense.

    • @Whoknowswhere12

      April 1, 2025 at 7:46 am

      @ then read it slower

    • @zealottk

      April 1, 2025 at 7:50 am

      @@Whoknowswhere12 what problem do you think doesn’t exist? Why are you saying that companies need to write this off to be beneficial?

    • @Whoknowswhere12

      April 1, 2025 at 7:57 am

      @@zealottk ok so first there’s more proof the change in climate has nothing to do with humans than does. Like a mountain of it. That aside if it was significant enough of a problem, which it’s not, the EPA would be involved with the emissions like they are for coal burning in the energy sector. In a nutshell if it’s not big enough for the EPA to worry about it, it’s damn sure not for the rest of us. If the manufacturers could get a tax break or some other compensation they’ll switch tomorrow. The only other way is they know that change IS about to come so they get ahead of it. Simple enough?

    • @jwyllor

      April 1, 2025 at 11:55 am

      I am curious as well. What problem does not exist in this scenario?

  7. @ThizzMarley

    April 1, 2025 at 8:48 am

    The big emissions ?? So China and India?

  8. @ThizzMarley

    April 1, 2025 at 9:15 am

    These comments are great this company definitely hired bots on fiverr

    • @jwyllor

      April 1, 2025 at 12:00 pm

      Or the bots are testing the waters on auto populating comments now. Le sigh

  9. @JugglinJellyTake01

    April 1, 2025 at 9:33 am

    If the heat from making cement is sourced from renewables AND the heat captured for district heating the CO2 reductions are much greater. It means building the plants nearer to populated areas to make use of that heat.

  10. @urbanstrencan

    April 1, 2025 at 1:27 pm

    This is really important to focus on future of green construction 🏗️🏗️
    Great video and talk

  11. @DominionAnako-bb7ry

    April 2, 2025 at 7:56 am

    ❤❤❤❤

  12. @Bythirteen

    April 3, 2025 at 10:39 am

    well that’s cool

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