Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
As has been seen in the previous chapters, neither the economic nor physical ac-
counting systems are su
ciently robust to comprehensively assess mineral resource
depletion. However, the energy, water and materials required for mining, refin-
ing, manufacturing, using, recycling and even landfilling materials, are generally
well accounted through Life Cycle Assessments i.e. in a cradle-to-grave approach.
The authors refer to such methodologies as “over the rainbow” (OTR) accounting
procedures. But these take into account, only partially, the problem of mineral
depletion.
In the authors' view, this is because there is a lack of theory behind the method-
ology, rather than a lack of indicators. Partial or total cradle-to-grave assessments,
for example, compose only a semi-circle. They lack the other half: the grave-to-
cradle assessment. In the same way that imaginary numbers can hardly be explained
in real space, some phenomena like depletion may be better explained in the “down
the rainbow” (DTR) approach. The over the rainbow represents real consumption,
whilst the down the rainbow relates to the debt that Man acquires over consecutive
generations.
Certainly the feat of decelerating mineral extraction can only be achieved if the
material cycles begin to close as stated by McDonough and Braungart (2002). And
to close them, one must study the impact of processes not just from the cradle to
the grave but from the cradle to the cradle (from Nature to Nature). It is not really
a matter of drastically reducing or removing the detrimental effect wastes have on
the surrounding environment but rather how society can rejuvenate and convert
them back into “stocks”.
4.3 The view over the rainbow: cradle to grave
An evaluation of abiotic resource depletion can be arguably undertaken through Life
Cycle Assessments (LCA) . However, as discussed next, the conventional approach
does not adequately reflect mineral dispersion. This is because Life Cycle Assess-
ments are by definition cradle-to-grave methodologies. Their aim is to assess the
environmental impacts associated with a product, process or service throughout its
life by making inventories of material resources, energy inputs and environmental
aspects. These assessments provide information regarding losses of renewable na-
tural wealth from a microeconomic scope, linking impacts with causes.
Two main international standards, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 describe the re-
quired and recommended elements of a LCA and identify four phases: 1) Goal and
Scope; 2) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI); 3) Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) and
4) Life Cycle Interpretation. Additionally, the product life cycle can be conveniently
divided into the following stages (EPA, 2003; Norgate et al., 2007):
cradle to entry gate (mining and processing)
entry gate to exit gate (product manufacture) and
exit gate to grave (product use, recycling and disposal)
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