Glossary
Green "Speak"
Alternative Energy: Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, small hydro, solar, wind, geothermal, tidal energy. It does exclude fossil fuels.
Biodiversity: The range of living things in one area and how they are part of the ecosystem.
Bio-degradable: Breaking down of materials with help from mico-organisms
Bio-accumulation: 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 Neutrality: 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: Compact Fluorescent Lamp. Replacement for traditional light-bulbs.
Ecosystem: A self sufficient environment formed by biological and physical characteristics existing together.
Embodied Energy: Recycled or reconstituted wood materials, may employ laminated wood chips or strands and or finger joints.
Emission Gases: Exhausts produced by human activity.
Energy Vampires: Refers to "Sleeping" electric appliances that continue to use energy when not in use and not switched off at electricty supply point.
Fossil Fuels: Deposits such as natural gas, coal and oil which has taken years to develop naturally
from the environment.
Fair Trade: A 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: A 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: Water waste or run-off from washers, sinks, tub etc., no sewage materials.
Green: Reference to being environmentally friendly.
Green Pricing: For a slightly higher cost or periodic upcharge consumers can choose to have their power supplied by green power producers, such as wind, solar and water driven energy suppliers.
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.
Greenhouse Gases: In our atmosphere contributing to global warming.
Industrial Ecology: Focused on optimizing the use of energies and materials, minimizing wastes and pollution, and creating an economically viable role for every product of a manufacturing process. The end result would be that industrial activity would be environmentally sustainable on a global level.
Fair Trade Labelling: A brand designed to allow consumers to identify goods which meet agreed fair trade standards. Typically standards cover labor standards, environmental standards, and stable pricing. The program is overseen by an international umbrella organization, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO). The Fair Trade Federation provides a list of wholesalers.
Fair Trade Products: Company or product lines in fair trade products.
Renewable Energy: Alternate forms of electricity through natural resources such as wind and sun.
Solar Energy: Conversion of sun's rays to energy.
Sustainability: Involves different methods of building, farming and finding new ways to produce electricity instead of using up resources that will run out.
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.
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Acid Rain:
A term used to describe precipitation that has become acidic (low pH) due to the emission of sulfur oxides from fossil fuel-burning power plants. Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Alternative Fuels:
Alternative fuels are derived from resources other than petroleum. Some are produced domestically, reducing dependence on foreign oil, and some are derived from renewable sources. Often, they produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Appliance Energy Efficiency Ratings:
The ratings under which specified appliances convert energy sources into useful energy, as determined by procedures established by the U.S. Department of Energy. Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Biodiesel:
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made from virgin vegetable oil or used vegetable oil. Even animal fats like beef tallow and fish oil can be used to make biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel may be blended with conventional diesel to get different blends such as B2 (2 percent biodiesel and 98 percent conventional diesel) or B20 (20 percent biodiesel) or it can be used as 100 percent biodiesel (B100). Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Biofuels:
Biofuels are any fuel derived from biomass. Agricultural products specifically grown for conversion to biofuels include corn and soybeans. R&D is being conducted to improve the conversion of non-grain crops, such as switchgrass and a variety of woody crops, to biofuels. The energy in biomass can be accessed by turning the raw materials of the feedstock, such as starch and cellulose, into a usable form. Transportation fuels are made from biomass through biochemical or thermochemical processes. Known as biofuels, these include ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, biocrude and methane. Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Biomass Program
Biomass:
Biomass is any organic material made from plants or animals. Domestic biomass resources include agricultural and forestry residues, municipal solid wastes, industrial wastes, and terrestrial and aquatic crops grown solely for energy purposes. Biomass can be converted to other usable forms of energy and is an attractive petroleum alternative for a number of reasons.
First, it is a renewable resource that is more evenly distributed over the Earth's surface than are finite energy sources, and may be exploited using more environmentally friendly technologies. Agriculture and forestry residues, and in particular residues from paper mills, are the most common biomass resources used for generating electricity and power, including industrial process heat and steam, as well as for a variety of biobased products. Use of liquid transportation fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, however, currently derived primarily from agricultural crops, is increasing dramatically. Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Biomass Program
Carbon Dioxide:
A colorless, odorless noncombustible gas with the formula CO2 that is present in the atmosphere. It is formed by the combustion of carbon and carbon compounds (such as fossil fuels and biomass), by respiration, which is a slow combustion in animals and plants, and by the gradual oxidation of organic matter in the soil.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Carbon Footprint:
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. Source: Carbon Footprint
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC):
A family of chemicals composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine whose principal applications are as refrigerants and industrial cleansers and whose principal drawback is the tendency to destroy the Earth's protective ozone layer.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion Technology (CFB):
A type of furnace or reactor in which the emission of sulfur compounds is lowered by the addition of crushed limestone in the fluidized bed, thus obviating the need for much of the expensive stack gas clean-up equipment. The particles are collected and recirculated, after passing through a conventional bed, and cooled by boiler internals. CFB technology is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a clean-coal technology. CFB technology has strong environmental performance, and a record of dependable, cost-effective service. CFB boilers are very flexible and can utilize a wide range of fuels, including run of mine coal, waste coal and biomass.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Clean Power Generator:
A company or other organizational unit that produces electricity from sources that are thought to be environmentally cleaner than traditional sources. Clean, or green, power is usually defined as power from renewable energy that comes from wind, solar, biomass energy, etc.
There are various definitions of clean resources. Some definitions include power produced from waste-to-energy and wood-fired plants that may still produce significant air emissions. Some states have defined certain local resources as clean that other states would not consider clean. For example, the state of Texas has defined power from efficient natural gas-fired power plants as clean.
Some northwest states include power from large hydropower projects as clean although these projects damage fish populations. Various states have disclosure and labeling requirement for generation source and air emissions that assist customers in comparing electricity characteristics other than price. This allows customers to decide for themselves what they consider to be "clean." The federal government is also exploring this issue. Source: U.S. Department of Energy / Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Climate Change:
Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer).
Climate change may result from:
•Natural factors, such as changes in the sun's intensity or slow changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun
•Natural processes within the climate system (e.g., changes in ocean circulation)
Human activities that change the atmosphere's composition (e.g., through burning fossil fuels) and the land surface (e.g., deforestation, reforestation, urbanization and desertification)
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL):
Compact fluorescent lamps combine the energy efficiency of fluorescent lighting with the convenience and popularity of incandescent lamps. CFLs can replace incandescents that are roughly three-to-four times their wattage, saving up to 75 percent of the initial lighting energy. Although CFLs cost 3-10 times times more than comparable incandescent bulbs, they last 6-15 times as long (6,000-15,000 hours).
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Conservation:
The preservation of resources through efficient and careful use. Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE):
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) is a way to measure the fuel economy of specific manufacturers' vehicles. It is expressed in miles per gallon (mpg) for a manufacturer's entire fleet of cars and light trucks. Source: National Housing, Transportation and Safety Administration
Daylighting:
The use of direct, diffused or reflected sunlight to provide supplemental lighting for building interiors.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Efficacy:
The amount of energy service or useful energy delivered per unit of energy input. Often used in reference to lighting systems, where the visible light output of a luminary is relative to power input; expressed in lumens per Watt; the higher the efficacy value, the higher the energy efficiency.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Efficiency:
Under the First Law of Thermodynamics, efficiency is the ratio of work or energy output to work or energy input, and cannot exceed 100 percent. Efficiency under the Second Law of Thermodynamics is determined by the ratio of the theoretical minimum energy that is required to accomplish a task relative to the energy actually consumed to accomplish the task.
Generally, the measured efficiency of a device, as defined by the First Law, will be higher than that defined by the Second Law. Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Emissions Inventory:
A list of air pollutants emitted into a community's, state's, nation's, or the Earth's atmosphere in amounts per some unit time (e.g., day or year) by type of source. An emission inventory has both political and scientific applications. Source: Natsource
Energy Audit:
The process of determining energy consumption, by various techniques, of a building or facility.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Energy Performance Contracts:
Energy performance contracts are generally financing or operating leases provided by an Energy Service Company (ESCo) or equipment manufacturer for energy-saving installations. What distinguishes these contracts is that they provide a guarantee on energy savings from the installed retrofit measures, and they usually also offer a range of associated design, installation, and maintenance services.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Energy Performance Ratings:
You can use the energy performance ratings of windows, doors, and skylights to tell you their potential for gaining and losing heat, as well as transmitting sunlight into your home.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Energy Services Company:
A company that offers to reduce a client's utility costs, often with the cost savings being split with the client through an energy performance contract (EPC) or a shared-savings agreement Source: Think Energy
Energy Star:
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. In 1992 EPA introduced ENERGY STAR as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Source: Energy Star
Ethanol (CH3-CH2OH):
A clear, colorless, flammable oxygenated hydrocarbon. Ethanol is typically produced chemically from ethylene, or biologically from fermentation of various sugars from carbohydrates found in agricultural crops and cellulosic residues from crops or wood. It is used in the United States as a gasoline octane enhancer and oxygenate (blended up to 10 percent concentration). Ethanol can also be used in high concentrations (E85) in vehicles designed for its use. Source: Energy Information Administration
Fenestration: The energy efficiency of windows.Considerations include square footage of windows in relation to structural surfaces, thickness of glass, gas barrier and tinting.
Global Warming:
Global warming is an increase in the average temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface and in the troposphere, which can contribute to changes in global climate patterns. Global warming can occur from a variety of causes, both natural, and human-induced. In common usage, "global warming" often refers to the warming that can occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs):
Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that produce the greenhouse effect. Changes in the concentration of certain greenhouse gases, due to human activity such as fossil fuel burning, increase the risk of global climate change. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halogenated fluorocarbons, ozone, perfluorinated carbons, and hydro fluorocarbons.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
High Performance Building:
A high-performance building is a building with energy, economic and environmental performance that is substantially better than standard practice. It is energy efficient, so it saves money and natural resources. It is a healthy place to live and work for its occupants and has relatively low impact on the environment. All this is achieved through a process called whole-building design.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Hybrid:
Refers to vehicles that use two systems to propel the vehicle, using a rechargeable electric system as well as burning gasoline. Such vehicles typically have higher gas mileage and lower air emissions.
Incandescent Lamps:
Incandescent lamps operate without a ballast. They light up instantly, providing a warm light and excellent color rendition. You can also dim them. Light is emitted when electricity flows through-and heats-a tungsten filament. However, incandescent lamps have a low efficacy compared to other lighting options (10-17 lumens per Watt) and a short average operating life (750-2500 hours).
Incandescent lamps are the least expensive to buy, but because of their relative inefficiency and short life spans, they usually are more expensive to operate.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Integrated Gasification-Combined Cycle Technology:
A clean-coal technology that combines coal gasification with combined cycle power generation. Coal, water and oxygen are fed to a gasifier, which produces syngas. This medium-Btu gas is cleaned (particulates and sulfur compounds removed) and is fed to a gas turbine. The hot exhaust of the gas turbine and heat recovered from the gasification process are routed through a heat-recovery generator to produce steam that drives a steam turbine to produce electricity. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.
Its main objective was to assess scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of human-induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change and options for mitigation and adaptation. The IPCC has completed three assessment reports, developed methodology guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories, special reports and technical papers.
Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED):
LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performances. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Source: U.S. Green Building Council
Low Emitting and Fuel Efficient Vehicle:
Any vehicle that has either been classified as a Zero Emission Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board or has achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.
Low Impact Development (LID):
One of LID's primary goals is to reduce runoff volume by infiltrating rainfall water to groundwater, evaporating rainwater back to the atmosphere after a storm and finding beneficial uses for water rather than exporting it as a waste product down storm sewers. The result is a landscape functionally equivalent to predevelopment hydrologic conditions, which means less surface runoff and less pollution damage to lakes, streams and coastal waters. Source: Natural Resource Defense Council
Rainwater Harvesting:
Rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice of catching and holding rain for later use. In a rainwater harvesting system, rain is gathered from a building rooftop or other source and is held in large containers for future use, such as watering gardens or washing cars. This practice reduces the demand on water resources and is excellent during times of drought. Source: Water Resources Group
Renewable Energy:
The term renewable energy generally refers to electricity supplied from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower and various forms of biomass.
These energy sources are considered renewable sources because their fuel sources are continuously replenished. Under Virginia law, renewable energy refers to "energy derived from sunlight, wind, falling water, sustainable biomass, energy from waste, wave motion, tides, and geothermal power and does not include energy derived from coal, oil, natural gas or nuclear power." Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Smart Growth:
"Smart growth" covers a range of development and conservation strategies that help protect our natural environment and make our communities more attractive, economically stronger and more socially diverse. Based on the experience of communities around the nation that have used smart growth approaches to create and maintain great neighborhoods, the Smart Growth Network developed a set of 10 basic principles:
1.Mix land uses
2.Take advantage of compact building design
3.Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
4.Create walkable neighbourhoods
5.Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
6.Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas
7.Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
8.Provide a variety of transportation choices
9.Make development decisions predictable, fair and cost-effective
10.Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sustainability:
Sustainability is a new way of thinking about an age-old concern: ensuring that our children and grandchildren inherit a tomorrow that is at least as good as today, preferably better.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Xeric Gardens: Xeriscape is a coined word derived from the Greek 'Xeros', meaning dry. It is used to describe landscaping with water conservation as a major objective. It often is also accomplished by using plants native to the region. A xeric garden is an attractive, sustainable landscape that conserves water and is based on sound horticultural practices.
