Ecological issues in the design and manufacture of products

Resource Extraction Methods:

Method	Environmental Impact
Deforestation	Loss of biodiversity Increased CO₂ levels (fewer trees to absorb carbon) Soil erosion Disruption of water cycles
Mining	Landscape destruction Water pollution from runoff Release of toxic chemicals Habitat destruction
Drilling	Oil spills Water contamination Air pollution Greenhouse gas emissions
Farming	Land use changes Water depletion Pesticide/fertilizer runoff Methane emissions (livestock)

Product Mileage (Lifecycle Transportation):

• Raw material source → Manufacturing: Energy used to transport raw materials
• Manufacturing → Distribution: Energy used to move finished products
• Distribution → User location: Energy used for final delivery
• User location → Final disposal: Energy used for waste management/recycling

Impact: Each transportation stage contributes to carbon footprint through fuel consumption

Carbon Production in Manufacturing:

• Energy-intensive processes release CO₂
• Use of fossil fuels for heat/power generation
• Chemical reactions in some processes emit greenhouse gases
• Waste products may release carbon when decomposing

Reduction Methods: Renewable energy, process optimization, carbon capture

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