Familiarize Yourself with
Going-Green-Terminology
Can you speak green? This going-green-terminology and green-glossary will clarify some basic terms that are quite commonplace in the green living vocabulary.
It should also help to clear up the definitions of some rather strange terms that are becoming popular as well.
BIODIVERSITY
The range of living things in one area
and how they are part of the ecosystem.
BIODEGRADABLE
Breaking down of materials with help
from micoorganisms.
BIOACCUMULATION
How animals and plants secrete toxins
in their tissues from their environment.
BLACKWATER
Containing feces and urine.
CARBON FOOTPRINT
The measure of greenhouse gas emitted by
certain actions of humans or industries.
CARBON NEUTRAL
Or Carbon Neutrality - the term used to describe the actions of organizations, businesses and individuals taking action to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as each put in to it.
CARBON OFFSETS
Measures taken to make up for carbon dioxide
released into the atmosphere.
CARBON TAX
A proposed tax charge on carbon dioxide
emissions because of burning fossil fuels.
CARBON DIOXIDE
Greenhouse gas increasing global warming.
Also known as CO2 - chemical abbreviation.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Rapid change in global climate because of
human activities.
COMPOST
Breaking down of materials into dirt.
CFL
Replacement for traditional light-bulbs.
Compact Fluorescent Lamp
ECOSYSTEM
A self sufficient environment formed by
biological and physical characteristics
existing together and in one place.
EMISSION
Gases or exhausts produced by human activity.
One of the new going-green-terminology phrases that
almost sounds a bit "scary" is becoming popular...
ENERGY VAMPIRES
Refers to electric appliances that continue to use
energy after they are supposedly turned off.
FOSSIL FUELS
Deposits such as natural gas, coal and oil
which has taken years to develop naturally
from the environment.
FAIR TRADE
USA certification code that verifies that
farmers have received a fair price for their
products. They have received credit and are
helped with assistance to their business on
the road to being self-sufficient economically.
FREE RANGE
Way of farming which allow animals to roam freely
and not be caged.
GLOBAL WARMING
Temperature increase in air and oceans
because of human activity.
GREY WATER
Runoff from washers, sinks, tub etc.,
but has no sewage materials.
GREEN
Used in reference to being environmentally
friendly.
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
Devoted to the conservation of energy, green
building, soil health, smart electricity and
more.
GREEN BUILDING
The practice of using eco-friendly building
materials, and the designing of energy
efficient homes and businesses. Relies on
wind and solar power.
GREEN LIFESTYLE/LIVING
Consideration of life choices made which
will have consequences on the environment.
GREENHOUSE GASES
Gases in our atmosphere contributing
to global warming.
HERBICIDE
Chemicals that stop plants from growing
or even kills them.
IPPC
Government Panel investigating impact,
and solutions for the changing climate.
LANDFILL
A place to bury garbage, waste.
LED
Replacing the usual light-bulbs, known as
Light Emitting Diode.
ORGANIC FOOD
No fertilizers, sewage, or pesticides are used
to grow plants.
PHANTOM LOAD
Same meaning as Energy Vampires.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
Commonly referred to as the 3 r's
of green living. The credo for
going-green-terminology.
RECYCLE
Finding alternate uses for something
instead of throwing it away as garbage.
REPURPOSE
Same meaning as "recycle."
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Alternate forms of electricity through
natural resources such as wind and sun.
SOLAR ENERGY
Conversion of sun's rays to energy.
SUSTAINABILITY
"Living now" changes to make in order to
preserve our resources for generations
to come. Involves different methods of
building, farming and finding new ways
to produce electricity instead of using
up resources that will run out.
VEGAN
Someone who will not eat products from
animals or use material products from
animals either.
WASTE STREAMS
Waste materials which come from various
commercial, industrial or municipal
sectors.
ZERO CARBON FOOTPRINT
The goal of carbon neutrality, and the practice of carbon
offsetting.
Visit our friends, if you would like to know a little bit more about
"Thinking Green"
Return to this list of going-green-terminology
catchwords and phrases for updates.
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