Read “Cradle to Grave: Case Studies of Buildings’ Environmental Footprint” at and answer the following questions. Add a one-paragraph introduction when you’re done answering the questions. Your introduction should explain the concept of a life-cycle assessment and define any terms you deem necessary. Then copy the following questions into your paper and answer them in complete sentences and/or paragraphs.

In your own words, explain the concept of the “U. S. average electricity mix.”
Describe the purpose of eQUEST, and provide a link to it.
During a building’s long maintenance phase, what building materials are likely to be discarded and how?
Provide a link to the online Athena Impact Estimator that is used to calculate the steel building demolition energy, and describe briefly how it works.
Looking at Figure 2, discuss the environmental impact of each life-cycle phase of a building (manufacturing, construction, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life); for example, which phase consumes the most fossil fuels? Which has the most global warming potential? Provide a summarizing statement.
Analyzing the data in Figure 3, discuss the environmental impact of each building system (foundations, walls, beams and columns, floors, and roofs); for example, which system consumes the most fossil fuels? Which system has the most potential for acid rain? Provide a summarizing statement.
Explain the concept of the environmental footprint in the study’s title as it relates to the study’s results.