There is a great deal of 'hidden' energy that is used to make and transport the building materials to the site. The energy that is consumed by all of these processes is called 'embodied energy'.

EMBODIED ENERGY COMPARISON, with transit only:

If a building material was delivered from a manufacturing facility located 18.5 miles/s (29.772864 km/s)

EMISSIONS REPORT:
Estimated emissions for a light truck traveling 29.8 km.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) = 0.01 Tonnes
One of the main greenhouse gases.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) = 0.54 kg
A result of incomplete fossil fuel combustion, causes short-term health problems.
Nitrous Oxides (NOx) = 0.04 kg
Combines with SO2 and sunlight to make smog.
Sulphur Dioxides (SO2) = 0 kg
A Pollution which can be transported by wind over many hundreds of miles, deposited as acid rain.
Poly Aromatic Hydro Carbons (HC) = 0.07 kg
Animal studies have shown that PAHs can cause harmful effects on the skin, body fluids, and one's ability to fight disease after exposure. Considered carcinogens.

Particulate Matter <10 um (PM10) = 0.01 kg
Particulates from fuel burning sources (especially coal power plants and automobiles) contain a large percentage of elemental and organic carbon which play a major role in haze phenomena and health effects. These particles are breathed in as opposed to being blocked by our nose or falling out of the atmosphere. People with respiratory problems such as asthma and heart disease are greatly affected.

If A material was delivered from a manufacturing facility located 1498 miles (2411 km/s):

*which was the closest Bamboo manufacturing facility in China to my address.

EMISSIONS REPORT:
Estimated emissions for a truck> traveling 2411 km.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) = 0.82 Tonnes

Carbon Monoxide (CO) = 43.35 kg

Nitrous Oxides (NOx) = 2.84 kg

Sulphur Dioxides (SO2) = 0.29 kg

Poly Aromatic Hydro Carbons (HC) = 5.52 kg

Particulate Matter <10 um (PM10) = 0.46 kg

It is important to buy locally grown, created, and built products whenever possible.

Back to:

ENERGY

EMBODIED ENERGY EXAMPLE

WATER

RESOURCES

NEW VS REMODEL: Preservation