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.

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

2. Planet Green TV: http://www.youtube.com/user/PlanetGreenTV

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

3. Howdini: http://www.youtube.com/user/HowdiniGuru

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

4. Greenoplois TV: http://www.youtube.com/user/GreenopolisTV?feature=chclk

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

5. Living Green Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/livinggreenchannel

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

Advice for responding to the LEED haters

By Ryan Sparks

If you follow anything in green building, you have heard that Henry Gifford has filed a class action lawsuit against the USGBC and its founders on behalf of "consumers, taxpayers, building design and construction professionals." In reviewing the comments and responses to these postings/articles, it is apparent that there are a significant number angry building professionals that are supporting this legal action.

Now, I am not a lawyer, but as a USGBC supporter, I have the following recommendations for the USGBC to help reduce the number of LEED-haters out there:

1. Don’t charge for promotional materials. $0.75 to obtain a brochure to learn more about more about the core values and purpose of USGBC? And if you are going to charge for a brochure, make the total cost clear and don’t make me wait till I checkout to find the full amount (including shipping and taxes) is $4.98. The fact that the USGBC does not make the brochure easy to find in a downloadable format does not only portray a priority of profit over promotion, it is also not green.

2. Provide a Transparent Financial Information: The About USGBC section of the USGBC provides a link to a 2008 Annual Report, that shows the net assets, end of 2007, but nothing for the following fiscal years.Providing a simple statement of financial activities will go far to reinforce the commitments as a non-profit organization.

3. Acknowledge the lawsuit and reinforce that LEED is consensus driven: Information on the class action lawsuit can be found almost anywhere except on the USGBC website. In fact, as of Oct 26, 2010, the “In the News & Press Releases” section is noticeably empty. Why not post a simple statement that reinforces the fact that the LEED rating systems was created from “consensus-based decision-making from across an extremely diverse membership” and that the USGBC will review the claims in the same manner? There is no doubt that the lawsuit is attracting a lot of traffic to its website, use this as an opportunity to remind the public that LEED is build based on the experience and wisdom of builders and not a single entity.

These are comments from some casual observations. Please share your thoughts.

Going Green Is Not An Option

By: Jeff Nippes

Green Building is no longer optional for one Canadian province, it’s the law. Starting Dec. 1, energy efficient furnaces, low-flush toilets and other environmentally friendly fixtures will be required by law for all new homes built in Manitoba.

The provincial government has changed the Manitoba Building Code and Manitoba Plumbing Code to include energy efficiency as an objective for the first time ever.
Ok, So Canada has gone green, would such mandatory green building ever be able to take root in America? The answer yes and it is already happening too. California’s First Mandatory Green Building Code, effective Jan. 1, includes provisions to reduce energy usage, conserve water and improve environmental quality. And its not just California many other states are considering legislation and upgrades to the building code to make green building the law. In Albuquerque, NM the city has the Green Path Program which calls for adopting energy efficient building codes. In 2007 the city signed the adopted revised Energy Conservation Code which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by requiring new buildings, and existing buildings undergoing alterations, to be more energy efficient.

The point is if you are still resisting the green revolution its time to get on board. Its no longer just the right thing to do or the environmentally conscious thing to do is rapidly becoming what you have to do, and if its not required to build green today, it most likely will be tomorrow.

The Numbers Behind Going Green: 5 Fun (& Informative) Calculators

By Vicki Zambito

Google “environmental websites” and you get 31 million results. Look for “green blogs” on Technorati and the results show over 6,000 sites. No doubt about it, there is a lot of information on “being green” out there. It can be intimidating if you are looking for a place to start and trying to figure out how to be more environmentally-friendly without upending your life. Like any good businessman or woman would tell you, start with a benchmark. Figure out how green you are today, and then go from there. Here are five fun calculators to help get you started.

1. IN THE OFFICE:
Widgetbox’s Eco Calculator - This online widget calculates how much greenhouse gas, trees and wastewater you and your company can save by using eco-friendly paper products.
Link: http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/eco-calculator

2. AT HOME:
Low Impact Living Calculator – This household environmental calculator shows not only the carbon footprint but also energy, water, wastewater, trash, and stormwater runoff footprints of your home and lifestyle.
Link: http://lowimpactliving.com/pages/impact-calculator/impact-calculator

3. ON THE ROAD:
Vehicle Eco Calculator – This number cruncher uses fuel economy, sticker price, miles driven per year and the price of gasoline to determine annual fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions. I learned that I am going to spend roughly $2,000 in gas this year and give off 6.22 metric tons of CO2.
Link: http://www.leopardo.com/vec/

4. IN THE AIR:
TerraPass Air Travel Calculator – This tool allows you to input your air travel plans to calculate your air emissions and compares it to your emissions if you chose other forms of transportation to reach the same location. It’s fun to use. I am about to head from Tampa to San Francisco for a work conference so I plugged in my flight information and learned my flight will give off 2,312 lbs of CO2 and that it would be “greener” of me to carpool. Anyone on their way across the country? Can I hitch a ride?
Link: http://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator/#air

5. YOUR TOTAL IMPACT:
World Wildlife Fund’s Footprint Calculator - This simple, handy calculator looks at the impact of food, transportation, work and other important indices. It takes just five minutes!
Link: http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/

Can the healthcare industry stomach the latest LEED rating system?

By Ryan Sparks

Just when you thought the healthcare industry could not possibly be more regulated, there will soon be an additional option for self-imposed oversight with the new LEED for Healthcare Green Building Rating System. This rating system has completed its third public comment period and it is expected to be launched before the end of the year.

Once launched, this new rating system, which is a collaborative effort between the USGBC and Green Guide for Healthcare (GGHC), will provide guidelines for facilities to improve the health of their patients and the planet. While it is widely expected that many of the items in the rating system, such as increasing access to daylight and raising air quality will be widely adopted, there will be some significant obstacles facing this new rating system upon its release:

• Cost Phobia – Small hospitals and senior care facilities will likely implement any “green” improvement that will reduce their fixed costs, such as more efficient lighting. However, many facilities will simply not have the financial means to finance the overall improvements needed to be certified under the new system.
  
• Preexisting Complexities – With so much uncertainty around healthcare reform and other mandatory initiatives, such as implementing electronic healthcare records, it is likely that many organizations may shy away from taking on an additional large-scale initiative.
  
• Regulation Fatigue – Healthcare facilities already face regulation at the local, state, and federal level and, as a result, the option to take on one more review may be too much for some organization to handle.

Only time with tell if the healthcare industry will embrace this new rating system or if facilities pick and choose the green initiatives that address their individual needs.

LEED 4.0

By Jeff Nippes

Whether you embraced or resisted the release of LEED 3.0 (LEED V3 or LEED 2009), one thing is certain, the next version of LEED is already in the works. I can hear some collective groans through cyberspace now. If something is working, why fix it? Or better yet, why do they have to change it now that I have it almost figured out?

First, relax. LEED isn’t changing anytime soon. Most of us are still trying to decipher all the changes that LEED 3.0 brought us, such as: the three tiered credentialing system (though only 2 tiers currently exist), the five specialty designations (BD+C, O+M, ID+C, Homes and ND), a 100 point credit scale for all categories, and regional priority credits.

Change can be painful and sometimes new versions of things are no better than the last. For example, some versions of Microsoft Windows are no better than their predecessors (anyone remember Windows NT?). But the concept of building a system, improving it, and launching new versions will, in the long run, greatly improve that system. If you looked back at all early versions of Widows, it’s hard to imagine how we ever called that an operating system (of course back then we didn’t know what operating system meant either). Perhaps we’ll all look back one day and talk about the early versions of LEED and how the changes brought on by LEED 3.0 helped us improve every subsequent version. We might even wonder how we ever got along without it.