ZERO CARBON
The 4 ZEROs have always been important in the work carried out by Yasmeen Lari; however they have become critical today because so may millions needs assistance in the aftermath of Flood 2022.
All response strategies need to ensure that on the one hand we keep in mind to maintain the dignity of those that have been displaced by providing them with ways to help themselves, allowing their own pride to be expressed in constructions and activities undertaken at this stage.
Secondly, all attempts at rehabilitation should be mindful of the large scale of response that is needed and unless zero carbon or low carbon materials and techniques are utilized, the planet is likely to be damaged irretrievably.
ACHIEVING ZERO CARBON
To achieve Zero Carbon attributes in her humanitarian work, Yasmeen Lari relies on 3 sustainable materials that provide strength, resilience and comfortable microclimate within buildings.
BAMBOO
Bamboo sequesters carbon and provides carbon negative attributes to structures. It is a material that is a favourite of environmentalists. It is among the largest renewable resources for building. Technically it is classified as grass and yields a crop every two to three years.
No water is required in its use in construction and there is no waste. Even the smallest leftover pieces are used up in different ways.
Bamboo has provided strength and resilience to Lari structures, which, although considered 'non-engineered', are designed to be disaster-resilient, and by incorporating anchoring mechanisms, they are designed to withstand earthquakes and floods.
In view of lightness of zero carbon bamboo structures, as compared to high carbon concrete & steel structures, safety of life is assured.
EARTH
Earth is the most easily available construction material found in almost all regions of Pakistan.
Lari has utilized earth extensively in various structures especially in flood prone areas where it is utilized as low cost raised platforms for a large number of activities ranging from dining platforms to storing water and food and also raised vegetable gardens.
A combination of unfired clay rich earth and straw provides passive environmental control, buffers relative humidity, creates non toxic, healthy internal environment, its waste becomes a resource and it minimizes stress on heating or cooling systems. It is a miracle material with zero embodied energy and zero eco footprint.
LIME
Lime that is a low carbon material; however, it absorbs carbon from the air and thus neutralizes initial emission damage. The quantity normally used in Lari structures is very small.
Lime, through the alchemy of fire transforms a lump of stone into an unparalleled force that has provided strength to Bronze Age Egyptian pyramids, the 1 century BC Roman Aqueducts, and the impregnable 15th Cen. Timurid forts.
In Lari’s view once the common earth and lime are mixed together, water provides a strength that can not be surpassed by any other material, and the least by Portland Cement.
It is due to the use of lime stabilized earth structures that Lari structures are able to withstand the onslaught of flood and rain waters.