Subject: Re:
From: "Barrett Brown" <barriticus@gmail.com>
Date: 5/22/08, 11:54
To: "Nana Wilberforce" <nwilberforce@greenseal.org>

By the way, are you of any relation to the 19th century Bishop Wilberforce?

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 11:52 AM, Nana Wilberforce <nwilberforce@greenseal.org> wrote:

 

 

You are welcome, keep me posted on the outcome of your article

Regards

nana

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 11:44 AM
To: Nana Wilberforce
Subject: Re: Media Request for Article on Life Cycle Assessments

 

Nana-

Thank you very much for your quick responses; these are very helpful. I quite agree with you regarding the widespread interest in biodiesel in particular, which is unfortunately being used by the American agriculture lobby as an opportunity to shore up their prices without delivering the environmental or economic gains that have been promised.

Thanks again,

Barrett

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 11:38 AM, Nana Wilberforce <nwilberforce@greenseal.org> wrote:

Hello Barrett

As a start I will try to answer your questions in the manner you presented in  your previous email

 

Q: I was hoping you might be able to provide me with some examples of allegedly "green" products and services that don't actually possess favorable LCA's or are otherwise not quite what they're cracked up to be?

 

A:  the answer to this question may be biodiesel. There is a lot of noise about biofuels being renewable and therefore green. However recent lca research has shown that not all biofuels per se can reduce environmental impacts as compared to fossil fuels. Currently of all the production paths investigated, it is especially the use of biogenic wastes and grass to wood that brings a reduction in the environmental impact as compared with fossil fuels. Also there is a new buzz about clean coal, but a critical look will show you that coal is not green.

 

Q: I was also curious to know if someone at your organization be willing to give me a quick quote about what to look for when assessing the LCA of the products they use

 

A:   When conducting an lca of products from different companies, the entire life cycle of the product should be considered. First the acquisition of raw materials and types of raw materials used in production (renewable resource, recycled raw materials etc). Secondly the production processes should also be considered (energy use, raw materials used, and emissions from production which may be hazardous). Thirdly you have to look at the product use phase ( how long can the product be used, how many times must repairs be made or parts be replaced, how much energy does the product require, does the product contain harmful chemicals that will be hazardous to the user). Lastly you have to also look at the end of life of the product (what percentage of the product is recyclable, what percentage contain harmful chemicals and how those chemicals are disposed off, what types of waste management does the product require).

In all the concept of sustainability must be taken into consideration

 

 

I hope I have been able to give you some answers to your question

Regards

 

 

 

Dr. Nana Takyi Wilberforce
Environmental Scientist
Green Seal
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 827
Washington, DC 20036
202-872-6400
nwilberforce@greenseal.org
www.greenseal.org

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:02 PM
To: Nana Wilberforce
Subject: Re: Media Request for Article on Life Cycle Assessments

 

Nana-

Thanks for getting back to me. Tomorrow will be absolutely fine. I look forward to getting your e-mail, and thanks in advance for your assistance.

Regards,

Barrett Brown

On Wed, May 21, 2008 at 4:40 PM, Nana Wilberforce <nwilberforce@greenseal.org> wrote:

Hello barrett

I just got your email about the lca. I can provide some answers for you hopefully tomorrow morning

Will that be fine with you? Today is kind of a busy day but tomorrow will be fine with me

nana

 

Dr. Nana Takyi Wilberforce
Environmental Scientist
Green Seal
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 827
Washington, DC 20036
202-872-6400
nwilberforce@greenseal.org
www.greenseal.org

 

From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:59 PM
To: Green Seal
Subject: Media Request for Article on Life Cycle Assessments

 

Sirs-

Howdy. I'm a freelance writer and I'm working on an article for a new trade publication that serves the convention display design and production industry. The piece concerns the manner in which those involved in this and related fields can minimize the environmental impact of their industry without being taken in by those firms which purport to offer green options while ignoring legitimate barometers of impact such as Life Cycle Assessment.

I've done a bit of research on your organization and I'd like to mention it in the article as a good place to start for those who are new to green purchasing or who would like to become certified themselves. I was also curious to know if someone at your organization be willing to give me a quick quote about what to look for when assessing the LCA of the products they use. More importantly, I was hoping you might be able to provide me with some examples of allegedly "green" products and services that don't actually possess favorable LCA's or are otherwise not quite what they're cracked up to be.

If you can provide me with a quick quote or put me in touch with someone who might be able to, please get back to me later today if possible.

Thanks,

Barrett Brown

Brooklyn, NY

512-560-2302