Climate

The world is crumbling in ‘The History of Concrete’

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Briefings

Filmmaker John Wilson's documentary 'The History of Concrete' explores the material's role as a connective tissue in urban environments while highlighting its environmental hazards. Wilson interviews experts and residents to document the widespread use of concrete, its short lifespan, and its contribution to global warming. The film reveals that concrete exacerbates flooding by blocking stormwater and creates an urban heat island effect, raising local temperatures by up to 7 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its necessity for construction, the material's fragility and environmental impact are central themes, with some recycling plants closing due to dust emissions. The documentary challenges the assumption that urban lifestyles have a smaller carbon footprint than suburban ones, as embodied emissions are often overlooked.

Key points

• Filmmaker John Wilson's documentary 'The History of Concrete' uses a deadpan, handheld style similar to HBO's 'How To with John Wilson' to explore the environmental hazards of concrete.
• Concrete is identified as the third biggest contributor to global warming, with its short lifespan making it a hazard on an increasingly disaster-prone planet.

Context

The documentary features interviews with experts like Sam Schwartz, a former NYC traffic commissioner, and addresses the necessity of concrete for housing and urban maintenance, contrasting its environmental costs with its utility.

Limitations

The film relies on interviews and observational footage without independent verification of specific structural failure data. Some claims about concrete's contribution to global warming are based on expert testimony rather than direct measurement. The documentary does not provide long-term structural data for specific buildings, only general estimates of lifespan and potential collapse risks.

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