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    宋国宝

    • 副教授     博士生导师   硕士生导师
    • 性别:男
    • 毕业院校:北京师范大学
    • 学位:博士
    • 所在单位:环境学院
    • 学科:环境科学. 环境工程
    • 办公地点:环境学院B715室
    • 联系方式:大连理工大学 环境学院 工业生态与环境工程教育部重点实验室, 邮编116024 邮件:gb.song@dlut.edu.cn
    • 电子邮箱:gb.song@dlut.edu.cn

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    Carbon footprint of a scientific publication: A case study at Dalian University of Technology, China

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    论文类型:期刊论文

    发表时间:2016-01-01

    发表刊物:ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS

    收录刊物:SCIE、EI、Scopus

    卷号:60

    页面范围:275-282

    ISSN号:1470-160X

    关键字:Carbon footprint; Scientific publication; Questionnaire survey; Uncertainty; Monte Carlo simulation

    摘要:Knowledge of the carbon footprint (CF) of a scientific publication can help to guide changes in behavior for mitigating global warming. A knowledge gap, however, still exists in academic circles. We quantified the CF of a publication by parameterizing searches, downloads, reading, and writing in the processes of publication with both direct and indirect emissions covered. We proposed a time-loaded conversion coefficient to transfer indirect emissions to final consumers. A questionnaire survey, certification database of Energy Star, fixed-asset databases specific to our campus, and reviewed life-cycle-assessment studies on both print media and electronic products were integrated with Monte Carlo simulations to quantify uncertainties. The average CF [(Cl: 95%), SD] of a scientific publication was 5.44 kg CO2-equiv. [(1.65, 14.78), 4.971, with 37.65 MJ [(0.00, 71.32), 30.40] of energy consumed. Reading the literature contributed the most, followed by writing and searching. A sensitivity analysis indicated that reading efficiency, the proportion of e-reading, and reference quantity were the most dominant of 52 parameters. Durable media generated a higher CF (4.24 kg CO2-equiv.) than consumable media (1.35 kg CO2-equiv.) due to both direct and indirect reasons. Campus policy makers should thus not promote the substitution of e-reading for print reading at the present stage, because their environmental advantages are highly dependent on time-loaded and behavioral factors. By comparison, replacing desktops with laptops is more attractive, by potentially reducing CFs by 50% and the disproportionate consumption of energy. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.