life cycle

This video by the Basel Action Network highlights the ecological atrocities imposed on Lagos and Ghana. Sobering and sad to say the least, but clearly indicative of the urgent need for closed-loop recycling in computers and electronics.

An LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is how one measures a product's sustainability by examining its attributes in terms of social, environmental, and economic factors throughout the supply chain. This video from the nonprofit MTS, explains their LCA and SMaRT certification methodology. Additional insight and analysis into sustainable standards is also provided

Carbon emissions are ONE element of an environmental impact study. A comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis includes this in addition to social and economic factors

A series of videos on sustainable product development and certification by MTS. They have a very comprehensive life cycle assessment model. The president (and speaker here), was a co-founder of the US Green Building Council (makers of LEED). If you're REALLY interested in this field (and have the time to watch), you might find it quite interesting.

What are the main issues and concerns involved in paper production, consumption, and recycling. Although I'm not an expert, I try to quickly go through the points from a life cycle perspective, and include a video from a nonprofit org

It's difficult to make life cycle assessments of buildings since they stand for so long, though new tools are available to help make those measurements.