Discover the key benefits of using locally sourced, environmentally preferable products for LEED certification. Prepare for the LEED Green Associate exam with expert insights.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following benefits pertain to purchasing and installing locally sourced. environmentally preferable products?
A. Products contain recycled content
B. Products are long lasting and durable
C. The environmental harm associated with transportation is reduced
D. Factories that support human health and workers’ rights are used
Answer
C. The environmental harm associated with transportation is reduced
Explanation
The environmental harm associated with transportation is reduced when purchasing and installing locally sourced, environmentally preferable products. Locally sourced products are products that are extracted, harvested, recovered, or manufactured within a certain distance from the project site.
Environmentally preferable products are products that have reduced environmental impacts compared to similar products in terms of energy use, water use, materials use, waste generation, emissions, toxicity, and durability.
Purchasing and installing locally sourced, environmentally preferable products reduces the amount of fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and road congestion associated with transporting products over long distances.
The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving materials and resources efficiency is to “use local or regional materials (extracted, processed and manufactured within 100 miles)”.
Purchasing and installing locally sourced, environmentally preferable products provides several benefits, but the primary advantage pertaining to this question is the reduction of environmental harm associated with transportation.
When products are sourced locally, the distance they need to travel from the manufacturing facility to the project site is significantly reduced. This shorter transportation distance leads to a decrease in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles like trucks, trains, or ships. By minimizing the environmental impact of transportation, locally sourced products contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
While the other options listed may be characteristics of environmentally preferable products, they do not directly address the benefits of local sourcing:
A. Products containing recycled content is a separate environmental benefit that can be achieved regardless of the product’s origin.
B. Long-lasting and durable products are desirable for sustainability but are not necessarily related to local sourcing.
D. Supporting factories that prioritize human health and workers’ rights is a socially responsible practice but does not specifically result from local sourcing.
In summary, the primary benefit of purchasing and installing locally sourced, environmentally preferable products is the reduction of environmental harm associated with transportation, making option C the correct answer.
USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.