Before the 19th century the world operated on a carbohydrate-based system…with the sun’s energy utilised to combine carbon dioxide and water into cellulose the basic building material of the natural world. During the 20th century much of this carbohydrate was replaced by hydrocarbons generated by the extractive coal and oil industries.

Imagine Australia in one generation’s time following the passage of a law requiring all industrial production be completely non-toxic biodegradable and sustainable.

[url=http://www.hempcrete.com.au/]Hempcrete[/url] is a building material manufactured from the chipped inner fibre of the hemp stalk. Mixed with lime ground slag or other additivies it forms a cellulose cement lighter than conventional materials but with improved thermal and acoustic insulation properties. The material is fireproof and completely resistent to termites.

Hempcrete revolutionises home building in the future. It sets like concrete but can be cut like timber. Any unwanted structure can simply be ground up and thrown into the new mix. A more ‘organic’ style of building can develop because it is now a straightforward process to rearrange internal walls and make any other changes to a home to suit changing family needs.

Hempcrete dramatically reduces the cost of housing by simplifying construction; for example a roof cast of hempcrete reinforced with bamboo can replace a tile roof fascia and guttering. This roof will have better thermal and acoustic insulation than the tiles will be resistent to hail and will greatly reduce the risk from bushfire.

In addition to its direct benefits in construction hempcrete functions very efficiently to sequester carbon dioxide. The average Australian family generates about 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. One hectare of hemp can sequester up to 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The average hempcrete house would sequester about 40 tonnes.

An average brick house generates up to 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide in its total construction and the housing industry generates a large proportion of the country’s domestic carbon dioxide output.

A large-scale transition to hemp-based building industries would provide a massive economic stimulus creating quality employment and export opportunities.

Extract from Hemp: Our Lifeline to the Future Nexus Oct-Nov 2010
Dr Katelaris
PO Box 3261
North Turramurra NSW 2074
sativaseed@gmail.com