Environmental terms defined and explored.
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Adaptation and Mitigation
Minimising GHG emissions and dealing with unavoidable impacts from climate change
1 Apr 2014Autobesity
The condition where cars are becoming bigger and heavier than earlier versions
1 Apr 2024Biocidal Products
Biocidal products, often called biocides, are used to control harmful organisms, and are found in such products as disinfectants, preservatives, rodenticides, insecticides anti-fouling products, …
1 Feb 2012Biodiversity
In its simplest meaning, “biodiversity” is a shortened form of the phrase “biological diversity.” Biodiversity means the diversity of life in all its forms …
4 Jan 2010Biomass
The term refers to biological or organic material that serves as a renewable source of energy either by being burned directly (like wood) or …
1 Sep 2011Brexit (or UKexit)
The essential meaning and wider implications of Brexit which affects all parts of the United Kingdom (UKexit)
1 Oct 2016Brownfields
Dealing with former commercial or industrialised sites that contaminated the land and now sit empty or unused, often in derelict condition.
1 Jul 2016Cap and Trade
The term refers to ways of trying to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by controlling how much GHGs are emitted from major sources
1 Oct 2012Carbon Bombs
Large oil and gas projects that will drive the fuel to the surface and blow the lid off any cap on carbon emissions
1 Aug 2022Carbon Bubble
If the known fossil fuel reserves are burnt we will seriously exceed 2°C, putting us in dangerous territory
1 Jun 2013Carbon Capture And Storage
The term “carbon capture and storage,” or CCS, refers to the process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) gases are separated from other material in …
1 Sep 2010Carbon Leakage
The carbon oi the more protective region leaks out into the less protective region.
1 Mar 2023Carbon Neutral
Eliminating our carbon emissions as much a possible with offsets for what we cannot remove
1 Jan 2017Carbon Offset
Paying someone else to reduce their carbon emissions to compensate for our emissions.
1 Jun 2017Circular Economy
Moving from a linear “take, make, dispose” economic model to one relying on reducing, reusing, and recycling
1 Aug 2014Climate Breakdown
The impacts from the changes in our global climate are so severe, and dangerous, that we need stronger language to speak of it
1 Jun 2019Climate Computer Modeling
Using computer models to estimate future global temperatures and greenhouse gas emissions
30 Nov 2012Climate Gentrification
When people with resources move to climate-safe neighborhoods displacing the long-term poorer residents of the area
1 Mar 2019Climate Movement
In the 21st century we have entered into a new era of a movement related to the environment, the “climate movement.”
1 Nov 2014Climate Neutral Agriculture
On farming practices that do not result in increase in levels of greenhouse gases, or climate warming
1 Nov 2022Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
A project to provide a secure supply of food in Europe gets out of control
1 Nov 2016Common Fisheries Policy (Eu)
The European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the way the EU manages fisheries and aquaculture throughout the EU. At the beginning of the …
1 Mar 2010Commonage
A form of ownership where a group of people, usually belonging to the same community or local area, own a large parcel of land that is used for grazing of cows and sheep
1 Nov 2019Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
An economic model for production and distribution of food where farmers and consumers share risks and benefits
1 Sep 2016Conference of the Parties (COP)
The global negotiations over climate change, and what to do about it, are undertaken pursuant to a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change …
1 Jan 2015Decarbonised Power
Decarbonising the power system is the process of shifting from fossil fuels to renewables
1 Sep 2019Dieselgate
How Volkswagen and others falsified air emission data from its “clean diesel” cars and raised pollution in the air
2 May 2017Disaster Risk Reduction
The concept, disaster risk reduction (DRR), is a modern form of emergency relief. In the past when a disaster struck, and we’re talking generally …
1 May 2012Distributive Justice
The term from philosophy and politics is somewhat abstract, relying on two Latinate words, but it encompasses a simple idea: to each her or …
24 Jan 2012Divestment
Dumping stock from fossil fuel companies whose products are destroying the earth
1 Jul 2015Eco Driving
Changing driving behavior to reduce fuel consumption, and GHG emissions, and save money
1 Apr 2016Ecodesign
On the process of minimizing the environmental impacts of a product, or service
1 Dec 2019Ecosystems
The term is most often used in speaking of biodiversity or nature. A simple and effective definition is, “A community of organisms that depend …
3 Jan 2011Effort Sharing Decision (European Union)
To expand its climate and energy policies and programs, the EU established GHG limits for sectors of the economy not covered by the ETS
1 Aug 2013EU Emission Trading System (ETS)
On the workings of the EU ETS to control greenhouse gases
1 Jun 2016Enteric Fermentation
The term is a bit abstract and Latinate which is ironic in light of what it represents — the gas that comes from cows, …
3 Oct 2011Environmental Cooperatives
Working with others to generate mutual benefits and a sustainable way of life
1 Mar 2016Environmental Footprint
Measuring the impact of our presence and activities on the earth
1 Jan 2020Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
An EIA is a critical, fundamental step in what constitutes environmental protection in many parts of the world. It is a transparent process that …
30 Nov 2014Environmental Justice
The somewhat differing meanings of environmental justice in the United States and the European Union.
1 Apr 2018Environmental Refugees
People driven from their homes, temporarily or permanently, by natural events or climate change.
1 Apr 2021ESPOO Convention
Requiring States to notify and consult with other States on projects that are likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts across national boundaries
1 Sep 2017EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
A set of rules to provide investors with a common definition of what is green and what is not
1 Jan 2022Eutrophication
When a lake or surface water body or groundwater gets too many nutrients added to it, then certain organisms in the water grow rapidly …
1 Mar 2011Evidence-Based Practices and Policies (EBP)
Basing practices and polices on hard evidence, reliable data, objective analyses instead of conjecture or special interests
1 Jul 2018Extinction Rebellion
Non-violent civil disobedience to stop mass extinction and social collapse associated with climate breakdown
1 Oct 2019Extinction Rebellion (XR)
XR and non-violent, direct and disruptive action, including civil disobedience, in opposition to climate breakdown
1 Dec 2020Extreme Weather Attribution
Connecting the dots between extreme weather events and climate change
1 Apr 2019Feed-In Tariff
The term refers to a scheme through which people who generate electricity from renewable sources, e.g., solar or wind, are guaranteed a price for …
1 Jun 2011Fenceless Grazing
A GPS-enabled animal collar and an app instead of a physical fence
1 Jun 2021Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
F-gases remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years
29 Jun 2013farm2fork
Getting food to the table from the farm without having to go through distributors or stores
1 Nov 2021Forest Hydrology
On the critical role of forests in promoting and protecting clean water, a resource that is becoming scare
1 Dec 2015Geoengineering
Climate change risks can be addressed by individual action, by community initiatives, and by national and international policies and agreements. Another weapon in the …
1 Dec 2009Ghost Estates
The term refers to empty, usually abandoned, homes in developments in Ireland that remain unfinished …
30 May 2012Global Stocktake
Measuring the successes and failures in working toward fulfilling the Paris Agreement.
1 Dec 2023Global Warming Potential
Global climate change results from the emissions into the atmosphere of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide …
1 Dec 2011Grass-Fed Farming
Grass-fed farming contrasts with farming that relies on grain-feed or chemical-based feedstock as the prime, often only, source of food for cows or other animals.
1 Feb 2013Green Economy
On an economic model that serves as an alternative to focusing on only growth in GDP
1 Jan 2016Green Infrastructure
There is no standard understanding of Green Infrastructure (GI), but there are a number of common strands. GI refers to natural, semi-natural and managed …
2 Nov 2009Green New Deal
The term “Green New Deal” is derived from the term “New Deal” coined by the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who became President of …
2 Nov 2009Green New Deal – Updated
Transforming an economy to one based on sustainable resources, instead of fossil fuels, and incorporating social and environmental justice.
1 Jul 2019Green Public Procurement
The European Union Commission states that “Green public procurement means that public purchasers take account of environmental factors when buying products, services or works”. …
1 Feb 2010Green Tariff
Leveling the playing field between those countries that have tough regulations and those with lax regulations on fighting climate change
1 Jan 2023Greenwashing
Greenwashing is a play on the term “whitewash” which means to “gloss over or cover up, or to exonerate by means of a perfunctory …
1 Dec 2009Habitat Fragmentation
How human activities are changing the face and size of our natural habitats
1 Feb 2016Habitats
A habitat refers to the physical dimensions of an environment or place or site that serves as home for an organism or community of …
1 Jul 2011Hedgerows
With little natural woodland remaining, the hedgerows have become a critical habitat for a wide variety of insects, birds, and mammals
1 Sep 2015Hydraulic Fracturing
Using pressurized fluids to crack rocks to extract natural fossil fuels is called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The process is used to extract oil …
4 Aug 2010Indirect Land Use Change
Converting land from food crops to crops for biofuels with impact on GHG emissions
1 Mar 2013Infrastructure
The behind-the-scenes or underlying structures on which our everyday lives depend
1 Sep 2020Installed Capacity
The installed capacity, or ICAP, of a power system represents the maximum capacity that the system is designed to run at. It’s also known …
1 Oct 2014Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC)
In other words, What are you going to do to help fight climate change?
1 Jun 2015Intergenerational Climate Justice
Using the earth without ruining it for future generations
1 Oct 2021Just Transition
Efforts to provide support for workers in the shift to a low-carbon economy necessitated by climate change
27 Oct 2018Keeling Curve
The famous graph that shows the rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere from 1958 to the present
1 Aug 2015Kodak Moment
From touching moments captured by a camera to the end of the camera’s manufacturer
1 Nov 2023Landscape Character Assessment
Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is a tool for identifying the features that give a locality its particular ‘sense of place’ and can be used …
1 Apr 2010Landscape Connectivity
Enhancing the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species on a landscape.
1 Mar 2014Life Cycle Assessment
The term “life cycle assessment” (LCA) refers to a way of measuring the environmental impact of the production of things and services. It allows …
1 Dec 2010Loss and damages
The costs of reconstruction, rehabilitation or relocation as result of climate breakdown
1 Jan 2024Mechanical Biological Treatment
The term, abbreviated as MBT, refers to a process for handling waste that serves as an alternative to landfilling or incineration, or a process …
4 Oct 2010Methane
Methane (CH4) is the principal component of natural gas, a significant source of energy for heating buildings or producing electricity. It also has its …
1 Nov 2011Microgeneration
Opportunities for switching to renewable, efficient energy and community or local ownership of energy sources
1 May 2016Natural Wealth Accounts
The term is used in the field of biodiversity to refer to the economic value of all biodiversity services and assets in a particular …
16 Nov 2010Net-Zero Carbon
Eliminating the equivalent of all carbon emissions to reach net (or almost)-zero carbon emissions.
1 Aug 2019Ocean Acidification
The more carbon dioxide in the air, the more acid in the ocean, and the more damage to ocean life
1 Apr 2017Ocean Sanctuary
Preserving and sustaining ocean waters through legally protected sanctuaries
1 May 2018One-Off Housing
The term sounds innocuous enough but it can raise strong emotions. In Ireland, it most often refers to the practice of building single homes, …
28 Jun 2010Particulate Matter
“Particulate matter,” or PM, can refer to matter found in sea spray and dust but it is most often used to refer to the …
21 Sep 2009Planetary Boundaries
Ways of talking about how to identify and measure limits to our natural resouces
4 Nov 2012Planning Zones in Northern Ireland
DUP and Sinn Fein’s attempt to highjack control over planning
1 Nov 2013Plastic Bag Levy
Eliminating plastic bags from, and their detrimental impact on, the environment
1 Oct 2015Plastic Pollution
How oceans and other water bodies are being destroyed by plastic waste
6 Mar 2018Polluter Pays Principle
This principle holds that if you pollute the environment, you should be held to account, i.e., you should be made to pay for the costs associated with that pollution
31 Jul 2012Precautionary Principle
The standard definition, according to the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992), is: “Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack …
1 May 2013Prosperity Without Growth
While the economy prospers, the greenhouse gases rise steadily and biodiversity dies off. Something has to give.
1 Feb 2020Public Money for Public Goods
Using public money when it produces public goods, not private wealth
1 Feb 2019Public Participation Networks (PPN)
Formalising the participation of various civic groups in the workings of local government in Ireland
1 Aug 2017Public Trust Doctrine
Certain natural resources, including water, shorelines and air, are owned by the public for the use of all people
1 Jul 2017Radiation
In its simplest terms, radiation is defined as the emission and propagation of energy in the form of rays or waves. There are two …
1 Apr 2011Rainwater Harvesting
The term encompasses a variety of systems and facilities for collecting and storing rainwater for use in homes or businesses. Perhaps the simplest form …
1 Feb 2011Rebound Effect
Improving energy efficiency may save less energy than expected due to a rebound of energy use
1 Apr 2023Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)
Why it is so important to stop cutting down forests
31 Oct 2015Reforestation
Renewing forest cover to reduce emission of GHGs and to avoid dangerous levels of global warming.
1 Dec 2017Regenerative Agriculture
Increasing soil carbon stocks and improved water cycles to reverse climate change
1 Aug 2021Renewable Energy
Renewable energy refers to those sources for generating energy that naturally renew, or replenish, themselves after being used to produce energy. For example, wind …
1 Aug 2011Rewilding
Deconstructing natural resources that suffered from some development or human activities, and making them wilder, more natural, less domesticated
2 Nov 2017Risk Assessment
The meaning of “risk assessment” can be elusive as many people and professions use the term in different ways and for different purposes. So …
5 May 2010Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Depression related to changes in seasons or climates
1 Mar 2024Short-Lived Climate Pollutants
“short-lived climate pollutants” include methane, black carbon (soot), tropospheric ozone, and hydrofluorocarbons and they contribute to warmer climates and air pollution
1 Jan 2013Single Use
Dealing with common consumer products that are used once and then dumped in landfills and on roadsides, ending up in rivers and seas.
1 Dec 2018Single Use Plastics
Reusing instead of discarding single use plastics is a mainstay for the circular economy
1 Aug 2020SITES
A system for measuring and certifying the sustainability of landscape and outdoor space projects
1 Aug 2023Smart Growth
The concept is another term that encompasses many of the same principles as “sustainable development.” While “sustainable development” grew out of a concern for …
16 Jan 2010Smart Metering
You are familiar with electric meters located outside your house or apartment that measures the amount of electricity you use, measured in kilowatts per …
2 Jun 2010Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
Preserving special species and habitats in Europe
2 Sep 2018Special Protection Areas (SPA)
Protecting habitats of migratory birds and certain threatened birds in the EU
1 Oct 2018Stranded Assets
How climate change concerns can convert coal and oil into worthless commodities
1 Oct 2017Sustainable Development
The concept of a “sustainable development” arose in the early 1980s, following a decade of activism in support of environmental protection. It was generally …
21 Mar 2009Sustainable Intensification
The term is used to mean simultaneously raising productivity, increasing resource use efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts in agriculture.
1 Sep 2012Tar Sands
The term refers to a form of sandstone which contains sand, clay and water and is saturated with a dense viscous form of petroleum …
1 Mar 2012Think Global, Act Local
Thinking about things on a global level without being stymied from taking action in your own community
1 May 2015Tipping Point
The term “tipping point” is used in a number of disciplines with the same basic meaning but slight variations. Generally it means a turning …
1 Apr 2013Tobacco Strategy
As originally used, the term refers to a political campaign by the tobacco industry to undermine attempts by government to regulate the sale or …
1 Apr 2012Toxins
On risks and benefits from poisons that are produced by an organism, such as a plant or animal
1 May 2014Unconventional Gas
“unconventional gas” is that gas found in low permeability rock or sand formations that do not allow for free movement of the gas.
2 Jul 2012Unconventional Gas/Oil Exploration
A euphemism for the process of exploring for dirty, risky, hard-to-get fossil fuels
1 Feb 2017Urban Density
Getting a handle on how dense our cities and mega-cities are across the globe
1 Mar 2017Urban Sprawl
The negative connotations of the term derive from the word, “sprawl,” which means to spread out in an ungainly or untidy, disorganized way. It …
21 Sep 2009Virtual Power Plants
Using software to combine small-scale decentralised power sources to supplement grids
1 Sep 2023Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE)
Computers, MP3 players, cell phones, TVs, blackberries, video games: they all end up as waste, sooner or later. The issue of how they end …
21 Sep 2009Water Charges
The rationale and usefulness for water charges, especially as the climate changes
1 Jan 2019Water Framework Directive
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes a water management program based on river basins as the natural geographical and hydrological units for such management. …
1 May 2011Wildlife Bridges
Bridges over, or under, road systems to reduce roadkill and preserve access to habitats
1 May 2022Zero Waste
Campaign to treat waste as something not to be burned or landfilled but treated as a resource to be re-used
1 Dec 2016