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?

  • @CanadaPlus
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    11 year ago

    Aren’t bike paths usually asphalt too? They definitely are where I live.

    Rail would work I guess, and mass transit is better than personal cars for any number of reasons, but we’d have to put in a lot of rail and abandon all the significant road infrastructure built up. I’ve mostly stanned buses in the past for that reason.

    • Rouxibeau
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      fedilink
      11 year ago

      They can be anything, even asphalt. Concrete, gravel, dirt.

      Bikes won’t wear asphalt or anything else as fast as a high speed multi ton vehicle will though.