Asphalt used on road surfaces are byproducts from fossil fuel. With the ultimate goal of eliminating the use of fossil fuel to combat climate change, are there any good alternatives for road surfaces? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a viable replacement of asphalt in the works, or even a plan to replace it in any environmental discussions before. At least, not enough for me to notice.

Extented question would be: what are some products derived from fossil fuel that are used in everyday life, but still lack viable alternatives you don’t see enough discussions about?

  • Skull giver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl
    3·
    9 months ago

    I’m not aware of any viable alternatives that don’t require some kind of fossil product at all. That said, I don’t think it’s such a big problem. We’ll still need oil for plastic.

    Modern asphalt is more than just oil, though. Porous asphalt contains loads of granite for example, reducing the amount of oil product you need to cover a stretch of road.

    When the time comes that we don’t have cheap leftovers from oil processing to turn into asphalt, I’m sure we’ll find some kind of concrete that will be able to take asphalt’s place, though concrete may be even worse for the environment because of its CO2 release during production.