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 |