2 ms·
We need an index of lifecycle costs for products and services, broken down by phase (material production, manufacturing, logistics, operations, disposal, etc.).
by mmooss 1y ago
We need an index of lifecycle costs for products and services, broken down by phase (material production, manufacturing, logistics, operations, disposal, etc.). It's especially needed because those costs are often externalized for buyers (i.e., they aren't built into the price - you don't pay the true cost of gas, for example; many costs are externalized to everyone else). How else can consumers, manufacturers, policymakers, etc. make anything like an informed decision?
I'm surprised someone like the Sierra Club, Consumer Reports, a scientific group, a government group, etc. doesn't undertake it. Yes, it's a bunch of work, there would be uncertainty, but it's essential and better than nothing.
There are such things for food:
* Klimato: https://klimato.com/ https://klimato.com/
* The Big Climate Database: http://thebigclimatedatabase.com/ http://thebigclimatedatabase.com/
- davidw 1y agoThis is why people keep bringing up a carbon tax. It does a lot of the work to internalize all those externalities so individuals or groups don't have to try and figure all this stuff out.
- mrlongroots 1y agoYes, unfortunately even the best intentioned individuals have very limited ability to make meaningful carbon-minimizing decisions. Carbon tax is such a sensible solution!