Green and Natural Glossary

I have found that having this green and environmental glossary, which is made up of various sources, has helped me understand a little bit more some the implications of natural living.

If you have any suggestion, corrections or observations, please drop me a line.

Acid Rain - The precipitation of dilute solutions of strong mineral acids, formed by the mixing in the atmosphere of various industrial pollutants (primarily sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) with naturally occurring oxygen and water vapor.

Aerosol - Particulate material, other than water or ice, in the atmosphere ranging in size from approximately 10x-3 to larger than 10×2 «m in radius. Aerosols are important in the atmosphere as nuclei for the condensation of water droplets and ice crystals, as participants in various chemical cycles, and as absorbers and scatterers of solar radiation, thereby influencing the radiation budget of the earth-atmosphere system, which in turn influences the climate on the surface of the Earth.

Air Pollutant - Any substance in air that could, in high enough concentration, harm man, other animals, vegetation or material. Pollutants may include almost any natural or artificial composition of matter capable of being airborne. They may be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, gases or any combination thereof. Air pollutants are often grouped in categories for ease in classification. Some of these categories are solids, sulfur compounds, volatile organic chemicals, particulate matter, nitrogen compounds, oxygen compounds, halogen compounds, radioactive compounds and odors.

Air Pollution - The presence of contaminants or pollutant substances in the air that interfere with human health or welfare, or produce other harmful environmental effects.

Air Toxics - Any air pollutant for which a National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) does not exist that may reasonably be anticipated to cause serious or irreversible chronic or acute health effects in humans.

Alternative Energy - usually environmentally friendly, this is energy from uncommon sources such as wind power or solar energy, not fossil fuels. Energy from a source other than the conventional fossil-fuel sources of oil, natural gas and coal (i.e., wind, running water, the sun). Also referred to as “alternative fuel.”

Alternative Fuels - similar to above. Not petrol or diesel but different transportation fuels like natural gas, methanol Charging-Ahead , bio fuels and electricity.

Atmosphere - The mixture of gases surrounding the Earth. The Earth’s atmosphere consists of about 79.1% nitrogen (by volume), 20.9% oxygen, 0.036% carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases. The atmosphere can be divided into a number of layers according to its mixing or chemical characteristics, generally determined by its thermal properties (temperature). The layer nearest the Earth is the troposphere, which reaches up to an altitude of about 8 km (about 5 miles) in the polar regions and up to 17 km (nearly 11 miles) above the equator. The stratosphere, which reaches to an altitude of about 50 km (31 miles) lies atop the troposphere. The mesosphere which extends up to 80-90 km is atop the stratosphere, and finally, the thermosphere, or ionosphere, gradually diminishes and forms a fuzzy border with outer space. There is relatively little mixing of gases between layers.

Biodegradable - Waste material composed primarily of constituent parts that occur naturally, are able to be decomposed by bacteria or fungi, and are absorbed into the ecosystem. Wood, for example, is biodegradable, while plastics are not.

Biodiversity -A large number and wide range of species of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms. Ecologically, wide biodiversity is conducive to the development of all species.

Blackwater - the wastewater generated by toilets.

Carbon-based resources - The recoverable fossil fuel (coal, gas, crude oils, oil shale, and tar sands) and biomass that can be used in fuel production and consumption.

Carbon dioxide - CO2 is a naturally occurring greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. However the amount of it increases when we burn fossil fuels, leading to global warming. Odorless gas commonly sourced by respiration, and which has been used widely as a measure of the ventilation adequacy of a space.

Carbon Monoxide - A colorless, odorless and highly toxic gas commonly created during combustion.

Carbon Tax - A charge on fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) based on their carbon content. When burned, the carbon in these fuels becomes carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a significant greenhouse gas.

Carcinogen -Any substance capable of causing cancer.

Carbon Footprint -The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). BeGreen’s carbon calculator considers the major activities that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere: driving, flying, and using electricity and natural gas. Ameasure of the your impact on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

Carbon monoxide - a colourless, odourless and highly toxic gas commonly created during combustion.

Carbon neutral - a company, person or action either not producing any carbon emissions or if it does, they have been offset elsewhere.

Carbon offsetting - see above.

Carbon rationing - limiting the amount of carbon you use each year. Carbon rationing action groups (crags) help you reduce your carbon footprint. Find out more here.

Carbon Sequestration - The uptake and storage of carbon. Trees and plants, for example, absorb carbon dioxide, release the oxygen and store the carbon. Fossil fuels were at one time biomass and continue to store the carbon until burned.

Carbon sink - carbon dioxide is naturally absorbed by things such as oceans, forests and peat bogs. These are called carbon sinks.

Carbon tax - a charge on fossil fuels based on their carbon content.

Chlorofluorocarbons - CFCs are man-made chemical compounds containing carbon, chlorine, fluorine and sometimes hydrogen. Often used in older fridges and air conditions, the chlorine in CFCs damage the ozone layer. A family of inert nontoxic and easily liquified chemicals used in refrigeration, air conditioning, packaging, and insulation or as solvents or aerosol propellants. Because they are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere, they drift into the upper atmosphere where their chlorine components destroy ozone.

Climate - The average weather, usually taken over a 30 year time period, for a particular region and time period. Climate is not the same as weather, but rather, it is the average pattern of weather for a particular region. Weather describes the short-term state of the atmosphere. Climatic elements include precipitation, temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind velocity, phenomena such as fog, frost, and hailstorms, and other measures of the weather.

Climate Change (1) - The term “climate change” is sometimes used to refer to all forms of climatic inconsistency, but because the Earth’s climate is never static, the term is more properly used to imply a significant change from one climatic condition to another. In some cases, climate change has been used synonymously with the term, global warming; scientists however, tend to use the term in the wider sense to also include natural changes in climate.

Climate Change (2)- The long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and all other aspects of the Earth’s climate. External processes, such as solar-irradiance variations, variations of the Earth’s orbital parameters (eccentricity, precession, and inclination), lithosphere motions, and volcanic activity, are factors in climatic variation. Internal variations of the climate system also produce fluctuations of sufficient magnitude and variability to explain observed climate change through the feedback processes interrelating the components of the climate system.

Climate Model - A quantitative way of representing the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans, land surface, and ice. Models can range from relatively simple to quite comprehensive.

Climate Sensitivity - The magnitude of a climatic response to a perturbing influence. In mathematical modeling of the climate, the difference between simulations as a function of change in a given parameter.

Composting - a process whereby organic wastes, including food and paper, decompose naturally, resulting in a produce rich in minerals and ideal for gardening and farming as a soil conditioner, mulch, resurfacing material, or landfill cover.

Conservation - preserving and renewing, when possible, human and natural resources. The use, protection and improvement of natural resources according to principles that will ensure their highest economic or social benefits.

Contamination - Introduction into water, air and soil of microorganisms, chemicals, toxic substances, wastes or wastewater in a concentration that makes the medium unfit for its next intended use. Also applies to surfaces of objects, buildings, and various household and agricultural use products.

Contaminant - Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water or soil.

Deforestation (1) - The removal of forest stands by cutting and burning to provide land for agricultural purposes, residential or industrial building sites, roads, etc. or by harvesting the trees for building materials or fuel. Oxidation of organic matter releases CO2 to the atmosphere, and regional and global impacts may result. This is often cited as one of the major causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect for two reasons: 1) the burning or decomposition of the wood releases carbon dioxide; and 2) trees that once removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in the process of photosynthesis are no longer present.

Desertification (2) - The progressive destruction or degradation of vegetative cover especially in arid or semiarid regions bordering existing deserts. Overgrazing of rangelands, large-scale cutting of forests and woodlands, drought, and burning of extensive areas all serve to destroy or degrade the land cover. The climatic impacts of this destruction include increased albedo leading to decreased precipitation, which in turn leads to less vegetative cover; increased atmospheric dust loading could lead to decreased monsoon rainfall and greater wind erosion and/or atmospheric pollution.

Disposal - Final placement or destruction of toxic, radioactive or other wastes; surplus or banned pesticides or other chemicals; polluted soils; and drums containing hazardous materials from removal actions or accidental releases. Disposal may be accomplished through use of approved secure landfills, surface impoundments, land farming, deep-well injection, ocean dumping or incineration.

Eco-assessment - an evaluation of your home or workplace with the aim of cutting your energy and water usage. See how to get an eco-assessment of your home.

Eco-bag - a ethically, organically made bag to use instead of plastic carrier bags. Like this one.

Eco-bus - a bus which uses a combination of diesel and electric power.

Eco-chic - A product or good that is both eco-friendly and hip.

Eco-friendly - An alternative to goods usually bought in most stores. These products are made with ecology and the environment in mind.

Ecological processes - Processes which play an essential part in maintaining ecosystem integrity. Four fundamental ecological processes are the cycling of water, the cycling of nutrients, the flow of energy, and biodiversity (as an expression of the process of evolution).

Ecosystem - A dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal and microorganism communities and associated non-living environment interacting as an ecological unit. The interacting system of a biological community and its nonliving environmental surroundings.

Emissions cap - a limit placed on companies regarding the amount of greenhouse gases it can emit.

Emissions - Materials (gases, particles, vapors, chemical compounds, etc.) that come out of smokestacks, chimneys, and tailpipes.

Environment - The sum of all external conditions affecting the life, development, and survival of an organism.

Environmental Footprint .- For an industrial setting, this is a company’s environmental impact determined by the amount of depletable raw materials and nonrenewable resources it consumes to make its products, and the quantity of wastes and emissions that are generated in the process. Traditionally, for a company to grow, the footprint had to get larger. Today, finding ways to reduce the environmental footprint is a priority for leading companies.

Environmental Impact - Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from human activity, industry or natural disasters.

Environmentally Preferable - products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on the environment.

Environmental Restoration - The act of repairing damage to a site caused by human activity, industry or natural disasters. The ideal environmental restoration, though rarely achieved, is to restore the site as closely as possible to its natural condition before it was disturbed.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke - Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure.

Energy Efficient (1)- Products and systems that use less energy to perform as well or better than standard products. While energy-efficient products sometimes have higher up-front costs, they tend to cost less over their lifetime when the cost of energy consumed is factored in. An example of this is fluorescent light bulbs vs. incandescent bulbs.

Energy Efficiency (2) - Ways and technology that can reduce the amount of electricity or fuel used to do the same work. Such as keeping a house warm using less energy.

Energy saving grant - money awarded to you to help improve the efficiency of your home and use less energy.

Energy saving lightbulbs - lightbulbs which use far less energy than conventional bulbs.

Fossil fuel - coal, oil and natural gas. A fuel that’s been made by the decomposition of fossilised plants and animals. A general term for buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth’s crust over hundreds of millions of years. Any hydrocarbon deposit that can be burned for heat or power, such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas

Fuel cell - a technology that uses an electrochemical process to convert energy into electrical power. Often powered by natural gas, fuel cell power is cleaner than grid-connected power sources. In addition, hot water is produced as a by-product.

Geothermal energy - heat that comes from the earth.

Glass recycling - Glass bottles and jars can be recycled endlessly. That means that unlike some other recycled products, a recycled bottle can be recycled into another glass bottle. And another, and so on forever.

Global Warming - The progressive gradual rise of the earth’s surface temperature thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect and responsible for changes in global climate patterns. An increase in the near surface temperature of the Earth. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases.

Green Building - A green building is designed to conserve resources and reduce negative impacts on the environment - whether it is energy, water, building materials or land. Compared to conventional construction, green buildings may use one or more renewable energy systems for heating and cooling, such as solar electric, solar hot water, geothermal, bio mass, or any combination of these.

Green design - a design, usually architectural, conforming to environmentally sound principles of building, material and energy use. A green building Green-Homebuilding , for example, might make use of solar panels, skylights, and recycled building materials.

Greenwashing - Greenwashing is a superficial nod to the environment that marketers and businesses that historically were not interested in sustainable concerns, are doing in order to improve their public relation standings with the consumer or public.

Greenhouse Effect (1)- Trapping and build-up of heat in the atmosphere (troposphere) near the Earth’s surface. Some of the heat flowing back toward space from the Earth’s surface is absorbed by water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and several other gases in the atmosphere and then reradiated back toward the Earth’s surface. If the atmospheric concentrations of these greenhouse gases rise, the average temperature of the lower atmosphere will gradually increase.

Greenhouse Effect (2) - A popular term used to describe the roles of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other trace gases in keeping the Earth’s surface warmer than it would be otherwise. These ” radiatively active ” gases are relatively transparent to incoming shortwave radiation, but are relatively opaque to outgoing longwave radiation. The latter radiation, which would otherwise escape to space, is trapped by these gases within the lower levels of the atmosphere. The subsequent reradiation of some of the energy back to the surface maintains surface temperatures higher than they would be if the gases were absent. There is concern that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and manmade chlorofluorocarbons, may enhance the greenhouse effect and cause global warming.

Greenhouse Gases (1)- Those gases, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, tropospheric ozone, nitrous oxide, and methane, that are transparent to solar radiation but opaque to longwave radiation. Their action is similar to that of glass in a greenhouse. Also see greenhouse effect and trace gas.

Greenhouse Gas (2) - Any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Greywater - waste water that does not contain sewage or fecal contamination (such as from the shower) and can be reused for irrigation after filtration.

Going Green: A phrase referring to individual action that a person can consciously take to curb harmful effects on the environment through consumer habits, behavior, and lifestyle.

Habitat - The place or type of site where an organism naturally occurs.

Hybrid - A car that runs on both electric battery and fuel, making the gas mileage extremely efficient and also produces fewer emissions which help control pollution in the environment.

Hydroelectric energy - electric energy produced by moving water.

Hydrofluorocarbons - used as solvents and cleaners in the semiconductor industry, among others; experts say that they possess global warming potentials that are thousands of times greater than CO2.

IPCC - the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a UN-commissioned international working group formed in 1988. It assesses climate change and its human causes.

Kilowatt-hours (kWH) - used to measure electricity and natural gas usage.

Landfill - area where waste is dumped and eventually covered with dirt and topsoil.

Life cycle assessment - methodology developed to assess a product’s full environmental costs, from raw material to final disposal.

Lead - harmful to the environment used in a lot of paints. It’s also toxic to humans.

Light pollution - environmental pollution consisting of the excess of harmful or annoying light.

Low-emission vehicles - cars etc which emit little pollution compared to conventional engines.

Natural Product - A product that is made from materials and ingredients found in nature, with little or no human intervention. For example, wood is a natural material while plastic is not.

Non-renewable energy - Finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve, as opposed to renewable energy sources, which are naturally replenished in a relatively short period of time.

Non-renewable resources (1) - Resources that are in limited supply, such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

Non-Renewable Resources (2)- The ability of an ecosystem to produce the raw materials necessary for economic activities. This includes non-renewable resources, such as metals, minerals, and fossil fuels. This includes all non-renewable resources found both on and below the surface of the Ecosystem. A non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be produced, re-grown, regenerated, or reused on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These resources often exist in a fixed amount, or are consumed much faster than nature they are recreated by nature. Fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum and natural gas) and nuclear fuel are some examples. In contrast to non-renewable resources such as timber (when harvested sustainably) or metals (which can be recycled) are considered renewable resources.

Non-Renewable Resources Categories -

Non-Renewable Subsurface Resources - The ability to provide non-renewable resources as raw material for economic activities, such as metals, minerals, water, and fossil fuels, found beneath the soil, within the geologic strata for land ecosystems or beneath the water surface for ocean ecosystems.

NonRenewable Surface Resources: The ability to provide non-renewable resources as raw material for economic activities, such as metals, minerals, water, and fossil fuels, found above the soil, within the land ecosystem or on the water surface for ocean ecosystems.

Non-toxic - Something that is not toxic or poisonous.

Offsetting - the process of reducing carbon emissions by ‘offsetting’ it. An example is by taking a flight and in compensation paying a company to plant trees to equal the carbon use out.

Oil - fossil fuel used to produce petrol etc and other materials such as plastics.

Organic - while it technically refers to molecules made up of two ore more atoms of carbon, it’s generally now used as a term for the growth of vegetables etc without the use or artificial pesticides and fertiliser. Of or relating to a product that is solely made from plants or insects. Organic materials and products often carry certifications according to industry.

Ozone - A molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen. In the statosphere, it occurs naturally and it provides a protective layer shielding the Earth from ultraviolet radiation and subsequent harmful health effects on humans and the environment. In the troposphere, it is a chemical oxidant and major component of photochemical smog.

Ozone layer - in the upper atmosphere about 15 miles above sea level it forms a protective layer which shields the earth from excessive ultraviolet radiation and occurs naturally.

Perceived obsolescence - The art of making products that go out of fashion or “date”, so you buy more slightly different ones, for example the fashion industry.

Photovoltaic panels - solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. Power is produced when sunlight strikes the semiconductor material and creates an electrical current.

Planned obsolescence - The art of making a product break/fail after a certain amount of time. Not so soon that you will blame the manufacturer, but soon enough for you to buy another one and make more profit for them. Also see Perceived obsolesence.

Plastic - man-made durable and flexible synthetic-based product. Composed mainly of petroleum.

Plastic bags - not very good for the environment, bad idea.

Plastic recycling - there are seven different categories of plastics that can be recycled.

Photoelectric - Of or relating to the electrical effects of light, including the emission of electrons, the generation of a voltage, or a change in resistance.

Pollution - A change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the air, water, or soil that can affect the health, survival, or activities of humans in an unwanted way.

Pollution Prevention - Reducing the amount of energy, materials, packaging, or water in the design, manufacturing, or purchasing of products or materials in an effort to increase efficient use of resources, reduce toxicity, and eliminate waste.

Post consumer waste - waste collected after the consumer has used and disposed of it.

Radiatively active gases - Gases that absorb incoming solar radiation or outgoing infrared radiation, thus affecting the vertical temperature profile of the atmosphere. Most frequently being cited as being radiatively active gases are water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and ozone.

Recyclable - A product or material that can be converted back into material that can be used again in manufacturing new goods. Typically, recycleable materials (aluminum, steel, paper, etc.) must remain in their pure form. If too many adhesives are used, or a product is made from a composite, those materials may not be separated at the end of its life-cycle for recycling.

Recycled - To use again or reprocess.

Recycle symbol - the chasing arrow symbol used to show that a product or package can be recycled. The three arrows on the symbol represent different components of the recycling process. The top arrow represents the collection of recyclable materials. The second arrow (bottom right) represents the recyclables being processed into recycled products and the third arrow on the bottom left represents when the consumer actually buys a product with recycled content.

Recycling - the process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing old material into usable raw materials.

Reduce - not using or buying less products iand therefore less recycling and less reusing.

Reforestation - Replanting of forests on lands that have recently been harvested.

Remanufacturing - A recycled concept by which an existing product can have its useful life extended through a secondary manufacturing or refurbishing process such as remanufactured systems furniture.

Renewable - A raw material that can be replenished within a reasonable amount of time. Example, bamboo and sustainably-harvested woods are renewable. Gold and precious stones are not renewable.

Renewable Energy (1) - alternative energy sources such as wind power or solar energy that can keep producing energy indefinitely without being used up.

Renewable Energy (2) - Energy obtained from sources that are essentially inexhaustible, unlike, for example, the fossil fuels, of which there is a finite supply. Renewable sources of energy include wood, waste, geothermal, wind, photovoltaic, and solar thermal energy.

Renewable Resources - A resource that can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than its rate of depletion; i.e., solar, wind, geothermal and biomass resources.

Resource Conservation - Practices that protect, preserve or renew natural resources in a manner that will ensure their highest economic or social benefits.

Reuse - before throwing away or recycling, a product that can be reused until its time to recycle.

Sustainable Development - The capacity to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustaining some assets which will be passed to future generations to provide them with options equivelent to those of the current generation

Sustainably-harvested - A renewable resource that as been harvested in a way that allows it’s inherent regeneration and continued ongoing supply.

Solar energy - energy from the sun.

Solar heating - heat from the sun is absorbed by collectors and transferred by pumps or fans to a storage unit for later use or to the house interior directly. Controls regulating the operation are needed. Or the heat can be transferred to water pumps for hot water.

Sulfur dioxide - SO2 is a heavy, smelly gas which can be condensed into a clear liquid. It’s used to make sulfuric acid, bleaching agents, preservatives and refrigerants and a major source of air pollution.

Vermicomposting - the process whereby worms feed on slowly decomposing materials (e.g., vegetable scraps) in a controlled environment to produce nutrient-rich soil.

Waste Reduction - A process to reduce or eliminate that amount of waste generated at its source or to reduce the amount of toxicity from waste or the reuse of materials. The creation of waste is a growing problem on the environment, as landfills get filled and toxins leach back into the ground. The best way to reduce waste is not to create it in the first place.

Wastewater - Water that has been used and contaminated. Wastewater must be purified before being used again or before being returned to the environment.

Weather - The specific condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. It is measured in terms of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation. In most places, weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate is the average of weather over time and space. A simple way of remembering the difference is that climate is what you expect (e.g. cold winters) and ‘weather’ is what you get (e.g. a blizzard).

WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, your broken or not wanted electronic gadgets like mobile phones or computers.

Windpower - energy derived from the wind.

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