life cycle analysis

A life cycle assessment (LCA) is essential in comprehensively assessing the full environmental and social impacts of transportation fuels. This contrasts with many compliance models and regulations today which emphasize greenhouse gases alone – an approach which can result in ‘carbon tunnel vision’, where other crucial factors are neglected. Examining each step in the fuel’s life cycle – from cradle-to-grave – provides a complete overview of its true impacts.

In this episode, Sylvain is joined by Tom Berg, Policy and Sustainability Manager at SkyNRG, and Kenneth Poucher, Head of Sustainability at Topsoe to dive deep into LCA and sustainability in transportation fuels.

As the move towards sustainability continues, attention needs to be paid to sourcing raw materials that can be designated as sustainable. Since all raw materials used in formulating lubricants are chemical substances, this leads to a discussion about green chemistry and how it can be used as a way to produce sustainable lubricants. This episode features a conversation with Dr. David Constable, Science Director for the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute® to gain a better perspective on this topic. Among the subjects explored with Dr. Constable includes the relationship between green chemistry and sustainability, life cycle analysis, a review of the Sustainability Development Goals, in general, and the specific goal focused on “affordable and clean energy and the future of green chemistry/sustainability.”

Contributors: Dr. Neil Canter, STLE Advisor, Technical Programs and Services, Dr. David Constable, Science Director, The American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute® 

This week, we bring back Emily Cardinali on the show! She was our very first editor, and she had really wanted to report on sustainable menstrual products. So, after our interview with Isabel Aagard last episode, we reached out to Emily about her own experiences with green tampons. 

N8 and Emily discuss the guilt on half of our human population, tips on identifying sustainable products, and the pros and cons of every sort of menstrual product sold on the market. 

Support “Waste Not Why Not” on Patreon. Follow us on Twitter @wastenotpod. 

EPISODE CREDIT | Nate Maynard (@N8May), host | Yu-Chen Lai (@aGuavaEmoji), producer | Emily Y. Wu (@emilyywu), executive producer | Music licensing MB01WR8IJHWPCOG | a Ghost Island Media production (@ghostislandme) | www.ghostisland.media

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