Terminology (a-z)
Biomimicry: The process of using nature models, systems, and elements as the inspiration for modern design and technology. The term is derived from Bio, the Greek word meaning 'life' and Mimicry, meaning to imitate.
Carbon Footprint: How much carbon an individual or group of individuals directly and indirectly uses in any process. What is your carbon footprint? Learn more: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
Climate Change: A significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions.
Cradle-to-Cradle: A registered trademark of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), describes the holistic approach to the entire life cycle design of a product including the manufacturing, use and waste.
Downcycling: Is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. The intention of Downcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials, reduce consumption of fresh raw materials, energy usage, air pollution and water pollution.
Energy alternative: Most often referred to as "the energy sources that are not derived from carbon (such as coal, oil and natural gas)." This is not to be confused with renewable energy.
Environmental Impact: The impact an individual or group of individuals has on its natural surroundings. This includes, but is not limited to natural systems such as air, water, soil as well as other living beings in and around the biosphere.
Fossil Fuel: A carbon-based fuel. This includes oil, coal, natural gas, and other petroleum products.
Global Warming: Another term (arguably seen as misleading) used to describe what we know of today as climate change. This term is derived from the increase in global 'greenhouse emissions' (such as carbon and methane), atmospheric greenhouse effect, and as a result the rise in Earth's average temperature.
LEED Certification: The Leadership in Educational and Environmental Design (LEED) certification achieved when meeting the building design standard set by the Green Building Counsel. Learn more: http://www.usgbc.org/leed/certification
Life Cycle of a Product: Includes, but not limited to, the materials and manufacturing process, product distribution and use, as well as waste product(s) and the biodegradable process.
Natural Step: The Natural Step is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education, advisory work, system change initiatives, innovation, and research in sustainable development. Learn more: http://www.naturalstep.org/en
Recycling: To extract and reuse useful waste. Most materials such as metals, plastics and paper are all recyclable.
Renewable Energy: An energy source which comes from resources which are continually replenished and renewed through natural sources. This includes sunlight (solar), wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Sustainability: The ability to be sustained over a period of time. This is relating to a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
Sustainable Development: A mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment. Sustainable development strives to meet these needs not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
Upcycling: The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.
Whole System Design: The opposite of a 'dis-integrated' approach; typically reveals lasting, elegantly frugal solutions with multiple benefits, which enable us to transcend ideological battles and unite all parties around shared goals.
Zero Waste: A philosophy encouraging the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused, leaving no trash to be sent to landfills and incinerators. The process is similar to the way that resources are reused in nature.
Carbon Footprint: How much carbon an individual or group of individuals directly and indirectly uses in any process. What is your carbon footprint? Learn more: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
Climate Change: A significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions, or in the distribution of weather around the average conditions.
Cradle-to-Cradle: A registered trademark of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), describes the holistic approach to the entire life cycle design of a product including the manufacturing, use and waste.
Downcycling: Is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality and reduced functionality. The intention of Downcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials, reduce consumption of fresh raw materials, energy usage, air pollution and water pollution.
Energy alternative: Most often referred to as "the energy sources that are not derived from carbon (such as coal, oil and natural gas)." This is not to be confused with renewable energy.
Environmental Impact: The impact an individual or group of individuals has on its natural surroundings. This includes, but is not limited to natural systems such as air, water, soil as well as other living beings in and around the biosphere.
Fossil Fuel: A carbon-based fuel. This includes oil, coal, natural gas, and other petroleum products.
Global Warming: Another term (arguably seen as misleading) used to describe what we know of today as climate change. This term is derived from the increase in global 'greenhouse emissions' (such as carbon and methane), atmospheric greenhouse effect, and as a result the rise in Earth's average temperature.
LEED Certification: The Leadership in Educational and Environmental Design (LEED) certification achieved when meeting the building design standard set by the Green Building Counsel. Learn more: http://www.usgbc.org/leed/certification
Life Cycle of a Product: Includes, but not limited to, the materials and manufacturing process, product distribution and use, as well as waste product(s) and the biodegradable process.
Natural Step: The Natural Step is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education, advisory work, system change initiatives, innovation, and research in sustainable development. Learn more: http://www.naturalstep.org/en
Recycling: To extract and reuse useful waste. Most materials such as metals, plastics and paper are all recyclable.
Renewable Energy: An energy source which comes from resources which are continually replenished and renewed through natural sources. This includes sunlight (solar), wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Sustainability: The ability to be sustained over a period of time. This is relating to a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
Sustainable Development: A mode of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment. Sustainable development strives to meet these needs not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
Upcycling: The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.
Whole System Design: The opposite of a 'dis-integrated' approach; typically reveals lasting, elegantly frugal solutions with multiple benefits, which enable us to transcend ideological battles and unite all parties around shared goals.
Zero Waste: A philosophy encouraging the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused, leaving no trash to be sent to landfills and incinerators. The process is similar to the way that resources are reused in nature.