In our urgent battle against climate change, new and innovative solutions are constantly emerging that allow industry to continue to flourish sustainably. One key solution involves safeguarding carbon sinks. These natural marvels are key in curbing the greenhouse effect, offering a lifeline in our fight for a greener planet. But it’s crucial to ensure that today’s natural carbon sinks don’t become tomorrow’s carbon emmitters. Their declining ability to store carbon due to damage and/or removal is a growing concern. It releases much-unwanted carbon into the atmosphere when disrupted. This contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming (rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and increasing sea levels.)
With a firm commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Canadians are embarking on complex, ambitious projects. From pioneering carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiatives to expansive afforestation campaigns, we’re actively counteracting the environmental toll of our industrial progress. But what if we could simplify our efforts? We could do this by embracing sustainable practices that protect our precious carbon sinks without significant costs.
What are carbon sinks, and why is it important to protect them?
Any reservoir that absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases is considered a carbon sink. Naturally occurring carbon sinks include soils, forests, and oceans. Increasingly, human activities like deforestation and industrialization have compromised these systems. This has led to increased CO2 and methane levels in the air, adding to the greenhouse effect.
Canada’s Landscape
Twelve percent (1.2 million sq km) of Canada’s surface is covered in muskeg. Muskeg is a saturated soil made of partially decomposed fibrous organic matter such as tree branches and roots. As infrastructure development continues, we cannot avoid disturbing this major natural carbon sink. Because muskeg stores huge amounts of carbon, disturbances caused by construction release CO2 and methane. A conscious approach can minimize effects. To reduce the impact of key road-building projects, Paradox provides innovative solutions that minimize disturbance to muskeg, thus reducing the carbon footprint of strong roads.
Sustainable road-building technology
Peatlands make up a vast portion of Canada and are natural carbon sinks. They currently store approximately 150B tonnes of carbon and sequester an additional 148M tonnes of carbon annually. For every sq km of muskeg removed 250 tonnes of CO2 are released each year.
Paradox provides sustainable road-building solutions with the use of Tough Cell®, an NPA cellular confinement system. This allows Paradox to build resilient roads over muskeg that are strong, durable, and affordable. They minimize damage and help to preserve these carbon sinks.
The following is a comparison of a conventional build vs a Tough Cell® road:
Tough Cell® roads enable CO2 savings on many levels. They require less quantity of aggregate and can be filled with lower quality, locally sourced materials. Additionally, they require less maintenance and there is need to remove muskeg. They also cut hauling trips and transport needs. This technology provides sustainable solutions that align with Canada’s overall goal to reduce greenhouse gases.
Other sustainable earthworks solutions
Services such as aggregate hauling, excavating, backfilling, and grading form the cornerstone of earthworks. However, in the time of environmental consciousness, innovative earthworks are pivotal to support carbon sequestration. This extends to reshaping and restoring landscapes beyond traditional practices. Paradox uses techniques such as building berms, swales, and terraces, as well as harrowing and reseeding. These techniques raise the soil’s carbon retention while minimizing erosion. Moreover, Paradox’s innovative access matting solutions ensure that job sites are reclaimed after operations, underscoring Paradox’s commitment to sustainable development.
By offering packaged services, Paradox reduces mobilization, trucking, and hauling.This bundled approach not only streamlines operations but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. With Paradox, clients benefit from one point of contact, alleviating the need for multiple contractors. This consolidation means fewer trips, reduced equipment mobilization, and less required manpower—ultimately leading to a tangible cut in CO2 emissions.
Building sustainably
Moving towards greater sustainability means adopting a range of innovative solutions. These range from nature-based endeavors like afforestation to streamlining earthworks operations through a single provider and using technology like cellular confinement. In doing so, we can seize the opportunity to safeguard natural carbon sinks and relieve environmental pressures. As CO2 is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, preserving our carbon sinks through mindful, sustainable practices is an easy and cost-efficient way to minimize our footprint.
Whether you are undertaking earthworks to get your site ready or need a road restored/newly built, Paradox can support you sustainably! Interested in learning more? Get in touch with them at 1.877.MUD.UGLY.
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