Global warming is always the centre of conversation when talking about the environment. The effects of using fossil fuels are disastrous on our planet and it is becoming vital to find renewable resources to combat climate change and waste.
One of these resources is bamboo! Yes, that plant commonly found in pandas’ mouths can be used to make clothes, toothbrushes and more! So, keep reading to learn about how using bamboo can tackle climate change.
What is bamboo and what is it used for?
Bamboo is a treelike grass that can grow up to 40 meters tall! It can grow in numerous climates, from tropical to temperate and has around 1,400 different species. Bamboo has been used for thousands of years in China, it’s been used in cooking, making homes, bows and arrows, household items and clothing to just name a few.
Now, bamboo is just as popular as ever and very versatile. From the musical instrument you play to the bed sheets you sleep in and, the toothbrush you use to clean your teeth, bamboo really is found everywhere!
Bamboo fabric is made by turning the cellulose into thread which can be woven into fabrics, that are then used to make blankets, towels, and t-shirts. This fabric is great because it’s durable and feels just like cotton, but sometimes this can be more expensive than other unsustainable fabrics like cotton and silk.
Is bamboo sustainable?
Bamboo is a great eco-friendly resource because it is one of the fastest growing plants and it is 100% biodegradable. In addition to this, bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than other plants and it’s able to absorb 5 times more CO2, making it great for the environment. Furthermore, as bamboo has become a more sought-after material, this takes the demand away from the regular trees and therefore reduces deforestation.
However, it is important to note the negatives of bamboo. Given all the great qualities of bamboo, the demand for it has increased exponentially! This means large areas of land are cleared to allow for more bamboo to be grown, and this leads to a loss in biodiversity. Overall, the mass-scale production of bamboo is what makes it unsustainable not the bamboo itself. So perhaps we need to focus on the topic of over consumption in society and how this also contributes to climate change.
In conclusion, bamboo is a really great sustainable resource that is already being used to make loads of products however, bamboo needs to be sustainably produced as well to ensure that is creating a positive impact on the environment. So, will you be buying more sustainable bamboo products?
Thank you for reading, that wraps up this Sustainability Spotlight blog post, keep an eye out for more soon!
Check out these sources to learn more about bamboo-