UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS - COLLEGE OF LAW

406 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Group 7: Environmental / Religious Group

Fua, Katrina
Montilla, Myka
Reyes, Dessa Ruth B.

Proposition: LIBRT the cement plan to be constructed in Brgy. Batoon be cancelled

Argument: THE CEMENT PLANT CONSTRUCTION IS DETRIMENTAL TO

ENVIRONMENTAL HABITAT

I. Introduction

Rapid increase in urbanization in accordance with the rapid increase in the worlds population
has resulted to a continuous effort for the development of cities, provinces, towns, and all other
places in the country for provision of facilities of more infrastructure projects such as roads,
bridges and other similar. Undeniably, huge demand for cement aggregated. Cement plays an
extremely important role on construction as used for housing and infrastructure development.
Moreover, cement demand is directly associated to economic growth and many growing
economies are striving for rapid infrastructure development which underlines the tremendous
growth in cement production. The cement industry plays a major role in improving living standard
all over the world by creating direct employment and providing multiple cascading economic
benefits to associated industries.

However, Despite its popularity and profitability, the cement industry faces many challenges due
to environmental concerns and sustainability issues. Cement production as well as concrete
builders is considered as one of the primary factors of different pollution known to man- air
pollution, water pollution or noise pollution. What will be therefore important to us? Economic
progress or a destroyed, deteriorated environment that will also affect the health of the people?

II. Arguments: Why should it be cancelled?

1. The cement industry is one of the primary producers of carbon dioxide, a

major greenhouse gas.

Based on a study conducted by the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies in Uttarakhand,
India, the concrete industry is one of two largest producers of carbon dioxide (CO2), creating up
to 5% of worldwide man-made emissions of this gas, of which 50% is from the chemical process
and 40% from burning fuel.
The CO2 emission from the concrete production is directly proportional to the cement content used
in the concrete mix; 900 kg of CO2 are emitted for the fabrication of every ton of cement,
accounting for 88% of the emissions. Cement manufacture contributes greenhouse gases both
directly through the production of carbon dioxide when calcium carbonate is thermally
decomposed, producing lime and carbon dioxide, and also through the use of energy, particularly
from the combustion of fossil fuels.
Dust generated during construction or operation is greatly hazardous to human, plant and animal
growth.

2. Cement constructions causes water pollution.

Toxic metals and organic compounds are released when industrial waste is burnt in cement kiln.
Discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater effluent to canals and drains will result
to detrimental effects on amenity, such as contaminated body of water which is possibly used as
drinking water of the residents and thus increasing the likelihood of food poisoning and water-
borne diseases. Additional solid waste production may also adversely affect crops and human
health.

Moreover, dust emitting machineries of a cement plant such as clinker cooler, crushers, grinders,
and materials-handling equipment does not only deteriorate the air quality but also degrading
human health. Emissions have local and global environment impact resulting in global warming,
ozone depletion, acid rain, biodiversity loss, reduced crop productivity.

3. Concrete constructions will lead to the loss of flora and fauna.

Cement infrastructure will eventually lead to a permanent land takeover which will result to loss
of ecological habitat with some negative impact on plant and animal population.

Negative impacts associated with the proposed cement production plant are primarily loss of
vegetation, which will be irreversible and insignificant. Cement industries likewise produces aerial
discharge consisting of particulate matters such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides producing
continuous visible clouds which ultimately settle on the vegetation, soil and effects whole biotic
life around, as a result the whole ecosystem around the cement factory is subjected to extraordinary
stress and abuse. Cement industry uses unethical methods for obtaining its resources. Workers
often break river stones from some of the most beautiful areas in the world for production of the
cement mass. Likewise, inhalation of emissions from the cement plants will result in the
deterioration of domesticated animals living around it.

Cement manufacturing requires huge amount of non-renewable resources like raw material and
fossil fuels. It is estimated that 5-6% of all carbon dioxide greenhouse gases generated by human
activities originates from cement production. Raw material and Energy consumption result in
emissions to air which include dust and gases. The exhaust gases from a cement kiln contains are
nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide, water, oxygen and small quantities of dust, chlorides,
fluorides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide , and still smaller quantities of organic compounds and
heavy metals.

4. Concrete constructions will contribute to a major noise pollution in the said place.
Aside from the carbon dioxide emissions and other similar water pollution a concrete plant possess,
it is undeniable that cement factories produces noise which may disturb people in their homes,
schools and other sensitive land use areas; Traffic which may increase delays and result in traffic-
related effects such as road or highway accidents and traffic noise. In the Indian subcontinent
cement has caused innumerable environmental damages beyond repair. Indian government re-
forces and subsidies use of cement, playing a major role in extinction of traditional Indian
architecture and building techniques. There are so many broken cement structures left behind
unattended all over Asia, set in pristine forests, temple compounds as well residences

III. Oppositions

1. Economic impacts during construction which may create job opportunities and
increase local business. Economic impacts during operation which may create longer
term benefits, such as new jobs and business opportunities; such benefits have
positive effects on the economic welfare of the local population.
Argument: Economic impacts during construction and operation (more jobs) may also lead to a
large population influx into the site, thus creating worker-community conflict/violence, an increase
in the availability of drugs/alcohol, and pressure on existing health infrastructure and services.

IV. Conclusion

The environmental impact of concrete industries is complex. It may produce positive and negative
impact on the locality where it will be situated. For every positive effect, there is always a negative
counterpart. In fact, studies shown that 40% of the environments deterioration is due to cement
production which contributes to the 60% of the air pollution produced by automobiles and other
vehicles. Cement industrial activities is also attributed as one of the primary producers of carbon
dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Likewise, these cement plants undeniably causes damage to the
most fertile layers of the earth, such as the natures pristine forest; the bodies of water, the
wildlifes health condition and to the entire ecosystem. Concrete and cement manufacturing
undeniably produces a whole lot of pollutants.
On the positive note, cement industries are undeniably the key to economic growth as it
will open doors to wider job opportunities as well as infrastructural and commercial projects.
However, as I quote an Indian proverb, Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the
last river has been poisoned. Only after the last fish has been caught. Only then will you find that
money cannot be eaten."