A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Air Pollutant

e(ə)r pə´ lutn=t

A man-made or natural substance that can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases that is found in the air and causes harm to humans and the environment

Air Quality Standards

e(ə)r ´kwälətē ´standərds

The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that are not to be exceeded during a given time in a defined area.

Alternative Energy

ôl´tərnətiv ´enərjē

A term used for an energy source that is an alternative to using fossil fuels. Generally, it indicates energies that are non-traditional and have low environmental impact.

Alternative Fuels

ôl´tərnətiv ´fyoōəl

Various transportation fuels like natural gas, methanol, bio fuels and electricity but excluding petrol and diesel.

Annual Consumption

´anyoōəl kən´səm(p) sh ən

Annual consumption refers to the amount of electricity used by a consumer in one year and is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This information can be acquired from your electricity bill or by contacting your energy provider.

Atmosphere

´atməs,fi(ə)r

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.

C

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

´kärbən dī´äk,sīd

A chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom. A colorless, odorless, incombustible gas, CO2, present in the atmosphere and formed during respiration by plants, and by all animals, fungi and microorganisms that depend on living and decaying plants for food, either directly or indirectly. It is, therefore, a major component of the carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide is generated as a by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels or the burning of vegetable matter, among other chemical processes. Large amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted from volcanoes and other geothermal processes such as hot springs and geysers and by the dissolution of carbonates in crustal rocks.

Carbon Footprint

´kärbən ´foŏt,print

The total amounts of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). EcoAid's carbon calculator considers the major activities that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere: driving, flying, and using electricity and natural gas.

Carbon Neutral

´kärbən ´n(y)oōtrəl

Refers to neutral (meaning zero) total carbon release, brought about by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount sequestered or offset.

Carbon Offset

´kärbən ´ôf,set

A financial instrument representing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Although there are six primary categories of greenhouse gases, carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent (CO2e). One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

Carbon Rationing

´kärbən ´ra sh ən; ´rā- ing

To limit the amount of carbon that you use yearly.

Carbon Sequestration

´kärbən ,sēkwi´strā sh ən

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.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's)

,klôrō,floŏrō´kärbən

Man made chemical compounds containing carbon, fluorine, chorine and in certain cases hydrogen that deplete ozone.

Climate

´klīmit

Climate is the average and variations of weather in a region over long periods of time. The climate of a location is affected by its latitude, terrain, persistent ice or snow cover, as well as nearby oceans and their currents. Climates can be classified using parameters such as temperature and rainfall to define specific climate types like frost, and hailstorms, and other measures of the weather.

Climate Change

´klīmit ch ānj

A word synonymous with global warming that means the changes in temperature and weather patterns as a result of human actions like burning fossil fuels.

Climate Model

´klīmit ´mädl

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

D

Deforestation

dē´fôrist a-shun

Those practices or processes that result in the conversion of forested lands for non-forest uses. 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.

E

Emission

i´mi sh ən

Pollution discharged into the atmosphere from smokestacks, other vents, and surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities; from residential chimneys; and from motor vehicle, locomotive, or aircraft exhausts.

Energy Efficiency

i´mi sh ən i´fi sh ənsē

Energy Efficiency occurs when you use less energy to accomplish the same task, for example heating your home or washing clothes. Using less energy means less air pollution and lower costs. To save energy in your home, you can use weather stripping, a water heater blanket or compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Emission Standard

i´mi sh ən ´standərd

The maximum amount of air polluting discharge legally allowed from a single source, mobile or stationary.

Emission Trading (Cap-and-trade)

i´mi sh ən trād -ing

An administrative approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants.

F

Fossil Fuel

´fäsəl ´fyoōəl

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.

G

Geothermal Energy

´jēō´θərməl ´enərjē

Heat that is generated in the earth's core, about 4,000 miles below the surface.

Global Warming

´glōbəl wôrm -ing

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.

Greenhouse Effect

´grēn,hous i´fekt

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 Gas (GHG)

´grēn,hous gas

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), hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3), hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), per fluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

K

Kilowatt-Hour

´kilə,wät ou(ə)r

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the standard unit of measure for electricity. One kilowatt-hour is equal to 1,000 watt-hours. The total number of kilowatt-hours charged to your bill is determined by your electricity use. For example, if you used a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours, you would be billed for one kilowatt-hour (100 watts x 10 hours= 1,000 watt-hours). The average home in the United States uses 750-kwh/ month.

Kyoto protocol

kē´ōtō ´prōtə,kôl

The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The Kyoto protocol originated at COP-3 to the UNFCCC in Kyoto, Japan, December 1997. It specifies emission obligations for industrialized countries and defines the three so-called Kyoto mechanisms: JI, CDM and emissions trading. It entered into force on February 16, 2005.

L

Landfill

´lan(d),fil

An area where waste/trash is dumped and eventually covered with dirt and topsoil.

M

Megawatt

´megə,wät

One thousand kilowatts, or 1 million watts; standard measure of electric power plant generating capacity.

Megawatt-hour

´megə,wät ou(ə)r

One thousand kilowatt-hours or 1 million watt-hours.

N

Nuclear

´n(y)oōklēər

Nuclear energy is derived from the splitting of uranium atoms. Uranium is mined, processed to increase the amount of fissionable material, and made into fuel rods, which are then placed in nuclear reactors. As the uranium atoms split inside the reactor, they generate heat, which is converted to steam and used to generate electricity. The storing of nuclear waste and the potential radiation hazards creates enormous environmental risk.

O

Ozone Layer

´ō,zōn ´lāər

A protective layer in the upper atmosphere about 15 miles above sea level that guards the earth from excessive ultraviolet radiation and occurs naturally.

P

Pollution

pə´loō sh ən

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.

R

Recycling

rē´sīkəl

Collecting and reprocessing a resource so it can be used again. An example is collecting aluminum cans, melting them down, and using the aluminum to make new cans or other aluminum products.

Reforestation

rē,fôrə´stā sh ən

Replanting of forests on lands that have recently been harvested.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

RGGI or “ReGGIe”

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI or “ReGGIe”) is a cooperative effort by 9 northeast and mid-atlantic states to discuss the design of a regional cap-and-trade program initially covering carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the region.

Renewable Energy

ri´n(y)oōəbəl ´enərjē

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.

Revegetation

rē,vejə´tā sh ən

A direct human-induced activity to increase carbon stocks on sites through the establishment of vegetation that covers minimum area of 0.05 hectares and does not meet the definitions of afforestation and reforestation.

W

Weather

´weðər

Weather is 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.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z