Last week, on April 22, Earth Day was celebrated as a “reminder to protect the environment, restore damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life.” Awareness and education of the effect humans are having on the environment began last century—by addressing the reduction of greenhouse gases, for example, or by using alternative energy sources in our cars— and are now filtering into almost every element of our work, recreational and consumer habits. Terms such as ”low carbon footprint,” ”sustainable” and “eco-friendly” are commonplace, used to extoll the virtues of a product or activity.

But who decides what is sustainable or green or zero-waste? There are many ways to present eco-credentials as being carbon offset or carbon neutral. Thankfully, scientists can measure both the composition of materials and the by-products created during processing with enormous accuracy. Sulphur content in fuel and exhaust can be measured by elemental or thermal analysis, for example. Understanding the composition of geological samples helps evaluate their best use or discriminate for contaminants hazardous to health. Measurements like these can be supported by XRD, WDXRF or EDXRF analyzers such as those provided by Rigaku, and we strive to help humanity in the challenges we face to preserve or enhance our environments.