Abstract
We developed a novel methodology to analyze world-scale stock-in-use of copper by using a nighttime light image. Radiance calibrated nighttime light imaged data (RCD) of the world has been assembled from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) by the National Geophysical Data Center. It has been recognized that the intensities of nighttime light are strongly associated with human settlement, such as population density and energy consumption. We assumed that wherever the light exists the electrical conducting material, such as copper should be used. The stock-in-use data of copper such as in Japan, North America, Australia and China were obtained from existing studies on material flow analysis. We analyzed the relationship between the light accumulation density and the amount of stock of copper in those countries. A significant correlation was found and the feasibility of this method was confirmed. We applied this method to analyze stock-in-use in other Asian countries. The in-use stock of copper was correlated with gross domestic product (GDP).
