2.3 - Ecological and Social Footprint Flashcards
What is meant by the term “product miles”.
- This is the number of miles a product travels from all stages of manufacture through to its final retail destination.
- By adding up the mileage for each section of the product’s journey, the total product mileage can be calculated.
- Using a carbon footprint calculator, the total CO2 emissions can be calculated. This calculation is part of the life cycle assessment.
How does manufacturing result in carbon emissions?
- In manufacturing goods, we consume energy which emits greenhouse gases.
- In order to reduce carbon emissions our production and consumption of energy needs to be reduced.
- Manufacturers should use more energy efficient methods and use low-carbon fuels.
How does mining impact the environment?
- Mining adversely affects the environment by soil erosion, air and water pollution and a loss of biodiversity.
- Mining creates open pits in the landscape, piles of waste and a potential risk of sinkholes.
- Mining companies are expected to retun the land back to its original state after extraction.
How does deforestation impact the environment?
- Deforestation results in a loss of wild habitat.
- Trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere so cutting down large areas contributes to an increase in CO2 levels.
- Timber sourced from a sustainably managed forest means new trees are replanted to replenish supply.
How can some farming practises have a negative impact on the environment?
Pesticides and fertilisers, used to improve yield, can result in pollutants in water run-off from the soil, harming habitats and wildlife.
Both designers and consumers should consider the _______ in order to reduce the impact on the environment and improve sustainability.
six Rs
List the six Rs in the correct order
- Rethink
- Refuse
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Repair
- Recycle
What is meant by the term “Rethink”? (Six Rs)
Consider the design and its impact. Is there a better way to produce it?
What is meant by the term “Refuse”? (Six Rs)
Avoid using materials that are environmentally or socially unacceptable. Don’t buy a product if you don’t need it.
What is meant by the term “Reduce”? (Six Rs)
Make products that are durable and long-lasting, reducing consumption and waste. Reduce energy and transport.
What is meant by the term “Reuse”? (Six Rs)
The product may be used again by another person or reused for another purpose.
What is meant by the term “Repair”? (Six Rs)
Repair where possible rather than replace.
What is meant by the term “Recycle”? (Six Rs)
Take the product apart and convert parts into usable materials once again.
Exam Style Question:
Explain why the six Rs are placed in a specific order.
[2]
- There is an order of precedence. It is better to refuse to use a product at all as it saves having to consider any of the points thereafter.
- Repair involves new parts that reuse does not.
- Recycling is the last chance to retrieve some value from the materials used in an existing product.
What is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 provides companies and employers with rules on how to protect people from injury or illness at their place of work.
