ENV201H5 Lecture Notes - Life-Cycle Assessment, Direct Energy, Discount Window
Document Summary
Life cycle assessment-lca: measures impacts and resource use from cradle to grave". Helps decision maker to choose the process/product with the least env impact: used for consumable materials and goods, and industrial(manufacturing) processes rather than infrastructure, process: Compile an inventory of relevant energy and material inputs/env releases. Evaluate potential env impacts associated with identified inputs and releases. Interpret result to help decision makers make more informed decisions: lca example: diapers. Compared: energy use, material use, water req, env emissions (atmospheric, wastewater, solid waste) Disposables (single use): largest solid waste burden. Problem: how to evaluate these differences: hummer vs. prius: Cost per mile over lifetime: . 25/mile prius vs. . 95/mile hummer. Prius drivers will only drive 100,000 miles, vs. 300,000 for hummer. Direct energy use only comprises 2-10% of lifecycle analysis for a vehicle. Prius costs more to dispose bc it contains recyclable parts, but no energy credit for using recyclable parts. Revised: . 19/mile prius, vs. . 32/mile hummer: lca challenges:
