Josh Newell from USC’s Center for Sustainable Cities gave a terrific talk on his work in carbon footprinting and life cycle analysis.

1. LCA outcomes depend on whether you trace the life cycle from the finished product backward or form the raw materials forward.

2. Land use transition is a major factor in LCA and in carbon footprint. Preserving tropical forests and preventing their harvest may be the most important thing we can do in climate policy.

3. Transport carbon emissions are a small part of the carbon footprint of paper.