Ecometrics is a quantitative approach to the analysis of economic, environmental, and societal systems. It is based on the concurrent development of empirical theory, and informed by appropriate methods of inference in attempts to create more sustainable systems. Broadly defined, Ecometrics is a way to measure and evaluate "if an activity is contributing to more sustainable systems of production and consumption". The term "Ecometrics" was originally trademarked by Interface Global, a corporation founded by Ray Anderson.Interface Global. "Interface Global" "Definition of EcoMetrics and SocioMetrics" , 09.02.2011.
So ecometrics is a system of statistical extrapolation and interpolation that uses principles of resource management in economic and environmental studies to analyze trends in consumption. With a comprehensive understanding of ecometrics (and, by extension, an understanding of the impacts of the specific conscious or conventional opportunity costs), agents within economic systems can drive significant and measurable improvements for the triple bottom line.
The decisions made in the design of consumer products, facilities, systems, and processes can change the world for the better. By analyzing the comprehensive impact of individuals and societal practices, ecometrics quantitatively defines sustainable development. Given the diversity of environmental and economic parameters, there are numerous unique case studies for the application of ecometrics.
Three illustrative examples discussed in this article are libraries, agricultural food systems, and labeling programs. They model material cycles, energy cycles, and environmental parameter systems respectively. Levels of magnification play a role in each, serving as scalars in the consumption cycles. Both material and energy cycles highlight the need for more efficient production and consumption processes, as well as identifying sources of friction in consumer cycles. Parameters of change The parameters that cause change are often population, technology, transportation, consumption, public conscious, non-renewable or renewable resources, location, labor conditions, transportation and wealth. Ecometrics is used in labeling programs such as the US EPA Fuel Economy and Environment LabelEPA. "EPA Fuel Economy and Environment" "Label for Fuel Economy and Environment", 12.23.2011. to determine the environmental and financial advantages of purchasing one car over another. There are many applications of Ecometrics for Environmental Impact CalculatorsCarbonFund, "Carbon Footprint Calculator" "Carbon Footprint Calculator for Individuals and Businesses" , 10.10.2011.EERE:Energy Calculator, "Calculators for Energy Savings""EERE Energy Reduction Practices", 10.10.2011.ECO FX:Calculatied Impact "ECO FX Impact Calculation Formulas" , 10.10.2011LCA Calculator "Analysis and comparison of the environmental impacts of products and particular design decisions", 10.10.2011 infographics, and for political analysis.
Because the parameters of ecometrics vary drastically for any activity, the applications of its resulting measurements are sometimes unilateral. Applied ecometrics exposes the complexity of making sustainable decisions, especially given other humanitarian goals such as third world economic development. In this way, ecometrics shows any choice within consumption and production systems as wicked problems.
Restaurant example For an example of ecometrics, consider a restaurant which has to decide whether it is better to use an electric hand dryer, or paper towels. The restaurant facilities manager would have to determine: The cost of each option. How much energy the electric dryer would consume, and to what degree the energy is renewable. How long the dryer would last. If the towels were produced using renewable energy and resources, and to what extent they are able to be recycled without inferring greater cost to the environment(not using further energy or chemicals). The cost of continuously purchasing paper towels throughout the business's existence. Maintenance labor to replace the towel dispenser.
If this restaurant is located in an area with great solar potential, it is likely that a hand dryer could encourage more solar infrastructure, through additional load. If it was incredibly far from a paper recycling center, and the potentially recycled material is likely to be downcycled, there would be further impetus to use a hand dryer.
In addition to these considerations, the decider must choose how much they are willing to pay for the environment. In the case that has been built, if the hand dryer is to cost more, they must decide if he is willing to take responsibility by preventing the paper waste that would have been produced by buying the hand dryer and necessary energy. In this case, as in many others, the purchaser enables development and life for other members of all trophic levels within his economic system, through his purchasing power.
Labeling programs Transparent labeling programs have been employed to establish coherent truths on the social, environmental or health impacts of products. Several illustrations are GoodGuide, EPA Fuel Economy and Environment, Fair Trade, and LEED. These organizations have sought clarity not just by evaluating the impacts of products, but also by releasing their evaluation process.
Beyond producers, the certification process is available to the general public including interested consumers. Labeling programs can expose major factors of sustainable or unsustainable consumption cycles. The three main components of consumptions cycles are production, consumption, and disposal. The factors of conventional consumption cycles are challenged by labeling programs that seek to promote sustainable systems. The metrics that make these factors are the parameters that can be used to evaluate the factor's impact. Production Design Investment/funding Material/Energy Procurement // Modular resourcing Creation // Modular Creation Assembly Transportation Stocking Consumption Purchase Use Deterioration // Planned/Designed Obsolescence Upgrade//Repair//Maintenance Disposal/Recycling Allocation//division Transportation Waste//Recycling//Compost Allocation of purified resources into production cycles
Labeling messages
Shipment miles. These include Food miles, and transportation miles that are used consistently in industrial processes. As illustrated the peer-to-peer exchange site, , distance is a significant factor in not only the costs of a product, but also its non-renewable (and gradual renewable) energy depletion impact.
The concept of shipment miles shows that globalized trade should be minimized for daily purchases(i.e.: daily food), and reduced as much as possible for infrequent purchases(i.e.: Electronics). In the past, the limited recycling infrastructure and value of transportation energy resources has limited recycling circuits. Because recycling materials required new infrastructure as well as transportation resources, there was limited cycle development. There were also worries that materials would be downcycled.
Non-renewable miles will become inherently unsustainable as non-renewable fuel sources diminishes and becomes increasing controversial as an environmentally destructive resource. The need for fuel efficient transportation methods has been recognized by the EPA and implemented through their SmartWay program.EPA Smart Way program "EPA"”Home page of the SmartWay Program” Program to Increase Traveling Efficiency and Save Money 10.10.2011
The Unobserved Global Impacts, or the translation of Sustainability
Resources produced in developed countries are often regulated for their environmental impacts. Many industrial countries often do not operate under cohesive regulation, or the regulations that are imposed on producers in consuming countries.
This means that producers in external countries may manufacture products under a definition of sustainability that they have defined themselves, and market it to consumer countries with more refined definitions. Under these circumstances energy from non-renewable resources could be used to produce products with minimal hazard regulations, maximizing emissions and hazard production. Fairtrade has sought to improve international standards through their labeling program.Fairtrade "Standards for Certification" “Certification Standards” 10.10.2011
Organic production
By excluding pesticides in agricultural processes, producers minimize their impact upon their surrounding ecosystem. Depending upon their location, producers can prevent water from being contaminated and insects from evolving to become more resilient to pesticides.
One can compare the impacts of inorganic meat to organic by considering the environmental impacts of pesticides used feeder foods to the reduced efficiency of food conversion(Efficiency of conversion) due to the fact that no antibiotics or growth hormones are used in the production process. The USDA has a National Organic Program for agricultural production that is widely accepted.USDA “National Organics Program” 10.10.2011
Reinvestment into other socially and environmentally benevolent activities
This is where businesses encourage their employees to volunteer, or donate to humanitarian causes. For instance, Toms of Maine encourages employees volunteer their time and donates money to humanitarian causes.Tom's of Maine “Community Grant Initiative” 10.10.2011 Tom's Shoes donates a pair of shoes for every pair that is sold.Tom's “One for One Program” 10.10.2011
Certification of Recycable Content
It is necessary to discern materials that are in a product, especially if they are supposedly recycled or able to be recycled. An instance of this is the recycling of paper material from post- and pre- consumer material, and the ability of certain paper pulps to be recycled.
Ingredients or hazards which are external to the product
Some products have a history of being made with harmful materials or ingredients. Products that are certified as free of these controversial materials are better for consumers and the production ecosystem. Examples of certification are for BPA-Free and EA-Free products.PlastiPure “Plastic Purity Statement” 10.10.2011
Labeling programs highlight sustainable parameters of the consumption cycle in order to promote awareness of practices that benefit the environment, and to encourage conscious consumption. One of the concepts that was established earlier is presented here. By encouraging conscious consumerism, one can not only limit their environmental impact, but also save money. This is the concept where products that are more efficient and durable have less reliance upon complimentary resources, thereby requiring complimentary purchases.
For instance, Fuel efficient cars can travel longer with less, and are thus less reliant upon fuel resources. This concept is the basis for the EPA's Fuel Economy and Environment Label.Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Vehicles “Features of Fuel Economy and Environment Label ”
A simple example of an ecometric calculation that can be used to estimate a car's comprehensive cost is:
Energy flows within agricultural food systems The development of industrial agricultural systems for the food economy is the utilization of energy flows to provide for more economical and widespread production. Although energy flows between trophic levels is an elementary part of life, modern day industrial practices impacts the environment, prompting greater threats to sustainability.
In evaluating the efficiency of agricultural systems to support current food consumption and sustain future resources, ecometrics analyzes current use of non-renewable and renewable resources. Energy flows and Efficiency of conversion show that food resources are lost within degree food systems.