1. The back story of “Stuff”--Part IV Sources of GHG emissions

2. In this series of videos, we’ve been looking at the impact of our “stuff” on the environment. In the last video, we explored the mostly invisible story behind our products.

4. Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for our stuff.
42%
In this video, I’ll focus on the red sections of this pie chart. We’ll look at which stages in the lives of products contribute the most greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions for our stuff.
Forty-two percent of GHG emissions are generated as a result of extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use and disposal. Let’s explore the impacts of each of these life cycle stages.
I’ll be speaking in generalizations, because every product is different. For example, the pair of jeans you might have on right now contributes the most greenhouse gas emissions during the USE phase. So, I try to make sure my clothes are dirty before I stick them in the laundry basket. I also wash 95% of my clothes in cold water. So far no one has given me any indication that this doesn’t work.  For an aluminum can, it’s the extraction and manufacturing phases that generate the most emissions.
So, take another look at the product life cycle image shown here. Note that it’s this process that generates 42% of America’s GHGs.
Now, sit back and take a tour with me to learn more about the impacts of these life cycles. During most of the rest of this video, I’ll sit back and watch with you, saying little.
42%

6. Landfills & Wastewater

7. 3% Landfills & Wastewater
Landfills and wastewater generate 3% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Landfills & Wastewater 3%

8. •
So 3% of the 42% of emissions this line depicts.

9. Transportation

10. Transportation of raw materials and products to and from factories and distribution centers generates 7% of our carbon emissions.
Transportation 7%

11. •

12. Extraction & Manufacturing
Any guesses how many GHGs are generated in these two stages of the life of products (on average)?
Extraction & Manufacturing

13. 32%.
Extraction & Manufacturing
32%!!

14. •

15. Our “stuff” creates more carbon emissions than any other single source, and extraction and manufacturing contribute the bulk of this.
42%

16. 42%
of USA’s GHG (gases that cause climate change) are generated to make, use and dispose of “stuff”

17. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Thanks to REAP Conservation Education Program, the Iowa DNR Solid Waste Alternatives Program, the Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center, and UNI EPSCoR for funding support.
Created by Susan Salterberg, Carole Yates, and Heidi Fuchtman.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
Center for Energy & Environmental Education
uni.edu/ceee /uniceee