Environmental Glossary

Acid Rain

Occurs when certain emissions (sulfur, nitrogen, etc.) combine in the atmosphere and then return to earth as rain, snow, or fog. Emissions can also return in dry form as particulates or acidic gases.

Alternative Energy

Energy that does not harm the environment or use nonrenewable resources. Examples include solar, geothermal, and wind

Biodegradable

The ability of material to break down or decompose naturally and be absorbed into the ecosystem.

Biodiversity

The number and range of organisms in an ecosystem. This includes both different species and genetic differences within species.

Brownfields

Abandoned or underutilized commercial sites that have environmental contamination.

Carbon Footprint

Effect human activities have on the environment measured in amount of greenhouse gases produced. The measure can be for individuals, organizations, countries, etc.

Clearcutting

Logging practice that harvests all the trees in an area at one time. This encourages soil erosion and flooding, and destroys biodiversity. See also Deforestation, Desertification, and Slash-and-Burn Agriculture.

Climate Change

A significant change in temperature or weather patterns. Examples include global warming, severe droughts or rain storms, and marked increase in frequency and intensity of hurricanes or tornadoes.

Conservation

The use of natural resources by humans in a way that insures these resources will be available in the future.

Deforestation

The clearing of forests and replacing them with non-forest development. See also Clearcutting, Slash-and-Burn Agriculture, and Desertification.

Desertification

The increase of arid land resulting from climate change or human activity such as deforestation. See also Clearcutting and Slash-and-Burn Agriculture.

Ecology

The branch of science that studies the relationships between organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem

An interconnected group of animals, plants, and other organisms (fungi, etc.) and their environment. This synergy, or interconnectedness, results in a regular exchange of energy and materials within the ecosystem.

Emissions Cap

The legal limit on the greenhouse gases a country or company may produce.

Endocrine Disruptor

Substance that halts the production or transmission of hormones in the body.

Environment

The sum of external factors that affect the life of an organism or group of organisms.

Environmental Justice

The just application of environmental policies to people regardless of race, culture, gender, or class.

Fossil Fuel

The remains of ancient plant and animal life in the form of coal, oil, and natural gas used as energy sources.

Global Warming

Increase in surface and air temperature. Scientists have identified greenhouse gases as a major factor in this increase since the Industrial Revolution.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of Earth's atmosphere resulting from a buildup of greenhouse gases. These gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere but prevent the resulting heat from escaping (much like the glass in a greenhouse).

Greenhouse Gas

Atmospheric gas that absorbs infrared radiation. These gases include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone, and chlorofluorocarbons.

Greenwash

Misrepresenting the environmental impact of a product; also, misleading the public as to the environmental practices of a company. It is sometimes called "Green Sheen."

Inversion

Phenomenon in which a layer of warm air prevents cool air under it from rising. Inversion prevents the dispersion of pollutants.

Landfill

A final disposal of solid waste on or in land. The waste is covered with soil. Done properly, this facilitates its absorption into the ecosystem. Improperly administered landfills can contaminate groundwater and aquifers, offgas methane, harbor vermin, and cause health problems for nearby communities.

Life Cycle Assessment

Technique to determine a product's complete environmental cost. This includes all the materials and energy used to produce, market, transport, use, and dispose of the product.

Monoculture

The use of land to produce a single crop repeatedly.

NGO

Nongovernmental organization. Examples include the Sierra Club, the Women's Environmental and Development Organization, and the National Black Environmental Justice Network.

Nonrenewable Resource

A resource that can not be replenished naturally (such as copper or water), or is being used faster than it can be replenished (such as fossil fuels).

Nuclear Winter

Cooling of the climate as a result of nuclear warfare. Scientists believe one probable effect of nuclear war would be the reduction of sunlight reaching the earth.

Ozone

A gas that consists of three atoms of oxygen in each molecule. Ozone occurring in the upper atmosphere or lower stratosphere protects Earth from ultraviolet light. Ozone concentrating on Earth's surface can be harmful.

Ozone Depletion

The reduction or destruction of ozone in the upper atmosphere or lower stratosphere. This is a result of chemical pollution.

Ozone Hole

A breach in the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere or lower stratosphere.

Pollution

Any substance that contaminates or degrades water, air, or soil.

Post-Consumer Material

Material that has been used by a consumer. It may be reused, recycled, or discarded.

Rain Forest

Dense forest in area with high rainfall (normally at least 68 inches annually). These include both tropical rain forests found near the equator and temperate rain forests such as those in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. It is estimated that rain forests are home to two-thirds of all living plant and animal species.

Recycling

Collecting, sorting, and processing materials that would otherwise be discarded, then using them in the production of new products.

Red List of Threatened Animals

A list of endangered animals produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Red Tide

Concentration of marine plankton that is poisonous to fish. This is a natural occurrence that is stimulated by the pollution of waterways by humans. The tide can actually be brown, green, red, or yellow.

Reduce

The practice of consuming less.

Renewable Resources

Resources that can be replenished naturally. Renewable energy is energy from inexhaustible sources such as sunlight or wind.

Reuse

Using materials more than once.

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture

Burning forests to clear the land for planting crops. When the soil becomes infertile the land is abandoned and a new area of forest is burned. Burning trees is a major source of greenhouse gases. See also Clearcutting and Deforestation.

Sustainability

The practice of using Earth's resources in a way that meets the current needs of humans while at the same time ensuring that future generations will also be able to use those resources.

Wetlands

Areas, such as swamps and marshes, where the water table is usually near the surface. Wetlands are important to many species as breeding areas. They also serve as natural water purification systems.

Wise Use

A plan or viewpoint espoused by groups and individuals who oppose environmental laws and work to privatize natural resources. Wise Use groups are frequently funded by corporations.

Additonal Online Environmental Glossaries

Earth 911

Green Networld

Natural Resources Defense Council

United Nations

TUI Deutschland