Steel Works The Earth Dies

Steel's versatility is undeniable. It is the backbone of our structures, transportation systems, and essential infrastructure. From medical implants and household gadgets to the cutlery we use and the jewelry we adorn, steel is everywhere.

The Gwangyang Steel Works in South Korea, the inspiration for this piece of art, generates approximately eighteen million tons of steel annually. A single ton equates to the weight of a compact car. Picture a line of one hundred small cars. Now, imagine a thousand. Then ten thousand. Finally, a million...

Global steel production dwarfs that of The Gwangyang Steel Works, exceeding it by a factor of one hundred. The steel manufacturing process releases various pollutants, including sulfur oxides, particulate matter, fugitive dust, coal tar, volatile organic compounds, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Even with a recycling rate of roughly 80%, steel production significantly harms the environment. Each year, over a billion tons of wastewater, contaminated with cancer-causing organic compounds, are generated during steel mining. Furthermore, for every ton of steel manufactured, 1.83 tons of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. Contemplating this artwork, I'm prompted to reflect on my personal reliance on steel, its environmental consequences, and my commitment to making more conscious choices. 

Within the next quarter-century, the global demand for steel is projected to increase fivefold.