The guidebook is designed primarily to help managers and other employees in small- and medium-sized companies take a life cycle approach in their business decision-making. But it should be of interest to other audiences as well. Larger companies may find the concepts and suggestions useful in moving life cycle management out across their organizations. The guidebook may also be helpful to government agencies and non-governmental organizations interested in supporting effective environmental action by industry, or in minimizing the environmental burdens and costs of their own purchases and practices. Although life cycle management (LCM) can be applied to virtually any system or activity, the focus to date has been mostly on products, both commodities and manufactured goods. The concepts and approaches introduced in this guidebook are therefore directly relevant to processors (resource and energy companies) and manufacturers, but most can also be used by service companies. So where the term 'product' is used, it can usually be interpreted to include 'service'.

This guide is aimed at prospective buyers of photovoltaic (PV) systems for use in remote buildings, consumer and recreational applications, and remote lighting. The purpose of the guide is to help determine whether a PV system may be a suitable option. It describes typical and innovative PV systems, provides examples of successful Canadian PV installations, and covers some questions that should be asked by a prospective PV system buyer. The guide has five main sections, describing the uses of PV systems, the characteristics of PV systems (standalone, hybrid, grid-connected) and their components (PV modules, power conditioners, and distribution and monitoring equipment), ways of sizing PV system for a particular application, PV system installation and maintenance, and how to buy a PV system. The guide also includes a glossary, worksheets, and case studies of PV applications.

The aim of this publication is to provide guidance to readers who wish to assess the benefits and risks of buying and installing a small-scale wind energy system, focussing on systems not connected to the electric power grid. It contains information on wind energy theory, different types of wind energy systems, system components such as turbines and towers, using wind energy for water pumping (mechanical & electrical), planning a simple stand-alone electric system, hybrid wind energy systems, wind energy economics, buying a wind energy system, and installing, operating, & maintaining the system. The appendix includes a table showing typical power ratings of appliances & equipment, worksheets used for evaluation, information on economic analysis, and a glossary.

Your car, your computer, even your new iron, comes with a manual. The Homeowners Manual is the operators manual for the biggest single investment most of us makeour homes. The Homeowners Manual shows ownersat a glancehow the parts of their homes work together as a system. Containing troubleshooting guides, care and maintenance tips, and richly illustrated with detailed cross-sectional drawings of components and systems, The Homeowners Manual is clear, precise, easy to understand and easy to use. Both the Canadian Home Builders Association and the Canadian New Home Warranty Council endorse The Homeowners Manual.

Un résumé des points saillants du "Rapport sur l'état de l'environnement au Canada."