Thursday, November 18, 2010

Life Cycle Assessment – Issues with the Green Tool


By: Rumanda Young

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is touted as the premier green decision-making tool (i.e., which product or process has less negative impact on the environment). I agree it is important to determine the sustainability of products or activities by looking at all environmental impacts throughout the product or activity life cycle, including product manufacture, selection, use, maintenance and end-of-life disposal. However, it is incredibly difficult to truly capture a system boundary. In fact, defining the boundary of a system is the most complicated step in the LCA process. The more complex and difficult a system boundary becomes, the more accurate and reliable the results.

Theoretically, a complete life cycle system includes all raw materials and energy sources taken from the earth and ends with all materials either returned (with good or bad consequences) to the earth. Any system boundary delineation for LCA that falls short of this “full circle” boundary is limiting the analysis and conclusions regarding the total system cannot be drawn. Depending on the goal of a study, this may be advantageous. When using the LCA as a tool to compare and evaluate tradeoffs, the analyst must take into consideration anything that limits the system boundary of one product or process, so that the analysis is not skewed. However, too limited a boundary may exclude consequential activities or elements and statements, and findings about the total system impact cannot be reasonably made. The bottom line is that study conclusions are exceedingly sensitive to system boundary delineation. My final thought is that applications and the role of LCA-based information should be interpreted only as far as the system boundary allows, and LCA should be one among several inputs to the environmental decision-making process.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

5 Green YouTube Channels To Check Out


By Vicki Zambito

There is no shortage of information when it comes to learning how to incorporate sustainable practices in your every day life. As I mentioned in my previous GreenView post, just google “environmental websites” and you get 31 million results. If you visit YouTube and search for videos on “green living”, you get 132,000 results. So the problem isn’t finding the information, it’s culling it down into something less overwhelming and more manageable. I thought I would help you out. Below are five YouTube Channels I found that are the “real deal” when it comes to giving good green tips and advice. They are in no particular order.

1. Building Green TV: http://www.youtube.com/user/buildinggreentv

This channel includes highlights from Building Green TV (BGTV), a pioneering and entertaining eco-lifestyle television series airing on PBS. Each week, BGTV's host, Kevin Contreras, explores the latest innovations, techniques and products available for making any home greener, more energy efficient and better for the environment. BGTV shows viewers how consciousness can be upscale in a way that speaks as much to our sense of style as it does our sense of responsibility.

Videos of interest:

Landscaping Tips: http://www.youtube.com/user/buildinggreentv#p/a/u/1/R70zrIEI2JM

Windows & Doors: http://www.youtube.com/user/buildinggreentv#p/u/11/sZhwT2GUPjU


Planet Green is the multi-platform media destination devoted to the environment -- providing tools, information and content that will enlighten, empower and most importantly - entertain.

Videos of interest:

Water Conservation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxFgDbCLhEc&feature=channel

Recycling: http://www.youtube.com/user/PlanetGreenTV#p/c/A49A5CBF8D5360C0/6/3HEf_0s08Zg

Howdini is the go-to source for how-to videos from the experts you trust. Topics include health, beauty, food, entertaining, pets, travel, sex, green living, and more.

Videos of interest:

Energy Saving Tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo3Fzm4vRsc&feature=channel


Greenopolis TV is committed to helping users combine online actions with offline activities, creating opportunities to rethink recycling and conservation.
Videos of Interest:

Sun Chip Bag Too Noisy:
http://www.youtube.com/user/GreenopolisTV?feature=chclk#p/u/9/o0FwybnTQ30

Love Your Reusable Bag: http://www.youtube.com/user/GreenopolisTV?feature=chclk#p/u/11/3LRbBJilO3I

The Living Green Channel is an online video source for living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Videos of interest:

Green iPhone Application Review:
http://www.youtube.com/user/livinggreenchannel#p/a/u/1/JqU4zqfC9VY

Green Vacationing:
http://www.youtube.com/user/livinggreenchannel#p/u/15/LTREv7WuTWY