A few weeks ago, I learned a phrase I can’t stop thinking about: carbon tunnel vision — focusing so narrowly on CO₂ that we overlook other serious harms. Concrete is a perfect example: it produces nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions and about 5–6% of the world’s lung-damaging particulate matter, pollution that shortens lives, costs $335 billion a year, and — like the climate crisis — hits the Global South hardest.

The Global North built its cities, highways, and ports long ago — and generated most of the world’s pollution in the process. Now, most future emissions will come from the Global South as it builds the infrastructure it still needs. This is an equity issue: the North must bear the lion’s share of decarbonization costs, not limit the South’s right to housing, roads, and development.

Above: Steps made of concrete

We can meet those needs without repeating the damage by using cleaner, culturally appropriate building materials that cut fossil fuel use and pollution. Paired with community-led training and production methods, these swaps fit the Global South’s decentralized building systems. LC3 resource centers are already proving that affordable, low-carbon concrete can scale.

That’s why earlier this summer, Industrious Labs launched a new global network with partners across the Global South to support civil society organizations, elevate local leadership, and address the social and economic impacts of the cement and concrete sectors. Together, we’re building the collective power to clean up the industry, put voices in the Global South at the center of global decisions, and ensure climate and health justice move forward together.

Because if we only look at carbon, we risk missing the bigger picture and repeating the very mistakes we’re trying to solve.

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