Sustainability A to Z
A list of sustainability terms with a brief definition. Click on the term for a more extensive definition as well as links to learn more about the subject, find local and regional resources as well as related terms for further exploration.
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Term | Definition |
---|---|
Alternative Energy | Energy derived from non-fossil fuel-burning sources |
Biodiesel | Renewable biofuel from seed oils, reclaimed fats or algae |
Biodiversity | Biological diversity - the wide variation among living organisms on Earth |
Biofuel | Energy sources derived from living things or their waste |
Bottle Bill | Legislation requiring refundable deposits on beverage containers to incentivize recycling |
Carbon Offsetting | Purchase of carbon credits by businesses to offset carbon emissions |
Climate Change | The effect on climate caused by the warming of the planet |
Community Gardening | Renting or sharing small plots of land to local residents for gardening |
Compost | The process of turning organic matter such as food waste into soil which can be used as fertilizer |
Dead Zone | An area in a body of water with no life |
eCycling | Recycling of electronic waste (TVs, cell phones, etc.) |
Ethanol | Alcohol made from grains, sugar or cellulose for gasoline additive |
Eutrophication | Excessive algae growth in bodies of water |
Fair Trade | Movement that aims to pay producers a reasonable wage for their labor |
Farmers Markets | Shoppers can buy food directly from local growers |
Food Banks | Organizations that distrbute food for little or no cost |
Fossil Fuel | Non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas that are formed from the decomposition of plants and animals over millions of years |
Fracking (Hydraulic Fracturing) | The process of fracturing the shale rocks in which natural gas is stored |
Greenhouse Gas | Gases that trap heat from the sun's radiation |
Hazardous Waste Recycling | Recycling of hazardous materials such as paint, chemicals |
Hydroponics | Growing plants in water with fertilizers |
Incineration | The disposal of waste through combustion |
Indoor Air Pollution | Pollution created by gases or particles released in an indoor space |
Landfill | Storage sites for waste that can release pollutants |
LEED | Building certification program for sustainable building strategies |
Natural Gas | A fossil fuel used for generation of electricty |
Passive Solar Energy | Energy from the sun captured through sustainable building design elements |
Peak Oil | Point of maximum extraction rate of crude oil |
Recycling | The process of turning any type of waste into new products that can be used again |
Renewable Energy | Energy derived from a non-depleting resource |
Solar Power | Generating electricity from the sunlight that strikes the Earth |
Sustainable Design | Building design optimized to reduce impact on environment |
Urban Gardening | Growing in urban environments |
Urban Heat Islands | Developed urban areas that are hotter than their surrounding rural areas |