Have you ever stood in a store, looking at two competing products, wondering which one is better for the environment? How is a consumer supposed to figure that out?
As a scientist, I’ve dedicated my career to finding and developing greener options. By synthesizing research from around the globe, I can also tell you which is the greenest choice for nearly every purchasing decision you have to make throughout the day.
I can do this because I know how to read and interpret something called a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). An LCA is a calculation of the environmental harm caused by a particular product or action. These LCAs are published in scientific journals, in complex technical language, for the benefit of fellow scientists. In these videos, I present the results in a more accessible format for the public. I also add relevant information and concerns that weren’t mentioned in the original LCA.
Videos already available include:
• which straws are greener?
• travelling by car vs train vs airliner
• beverage containers: glass vs plastic vs can
• beef vs plant-based substitute
• steak vs porkloin vs chicken
• pressure-treated wood vs wood/plastic composite
• paper back vs plastic bag
• butter vs margarine
• gasoline car vs electric car vs hybrid