Understanding Our "Green" Terminology Today
Every day, we see a new EcoZing or BioBlip or PocketGreen in the world. (None of these are actual products on the market, and yet they sound strangely familiar.)
It’s enough to make your head spin.
At their worst, these new terms and earthy names risk greenwashing consumers today. They sound healthy, but there's often be more than meets the eye. This makes it tough to differentiate between clever marketing ploys and true green innovation.
At their best, this terminology represents healthy, sustainable enhancements to everyday products. Progressive companies want to showcase their innovation. And so, in the spirit of transparency, they publish their scientific processes, materials sourcing, or production methods.
Your Handy “Green” Glossary
We crafted this glossary to encourage more informed consumer purchases and conversations. (Words matter!) We plan to keep this “live,” updating with new terms as they come our way.
Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference!
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3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle has been the “sustainable living” mantra since the first Earth Day in 1970. These three simple lifestyle changes and practices allow us to have a more positive impact on our shared environment.
5 Rs – As it turns out, the 3 Rs are a bit incomplete. Today, we recognize a fuller lineup: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and if all else fails, Recycle. In addition, we have two honorable mentions, Repair and Rot, for those seeking extra credit! You can also check out our article dedicated to the 5 Rs.
A
Acidification – Over the years, we have seen a decrease in the pH of ocean waters. The lower a substance’s pH, the more acidic we consider it to be. The main culprit of ocean Acidification seems to be the rising levels of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide. As oceans naturally absorb, or Sequester, CO2, the water combines with it to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This subsequently breaks down into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-), creating an acidic environment.
This process "steals" carbonate ions for creatures who need them to create shells and skeletons. Other animals, like clownfish (Hi, Nemo and Marlin!) are less able to detect predators in more acidic water. Algae and seagrasses flourish in CO2, but overgrowth and invasion presents yet another problem.
Aerial Litter – This one is a dark horse. We love our balloons, fireworks, and occasional lanterns that take flight on special days. In reality, these are all forms of litter. When we release them, we care little about the air currents that carry them to natural ecosystems, like the ocean.
Afforestation – The act of planting trees and other indigenous plant life where there was previously no plant cover is known as Afforestation. It differs slightly from Reforestation, which replants and replenishes our world’s tree cover. Afforestation serves as a primary combatant to Climate Change. It represents significant potential to Sequester atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.
Another key benefit to Afforestation is rain attraction. Studies show that the southern Amazon rain forest creates its own rainy season when the water vapor from plant leaves forms clouds above it. Alongside Climate Change, this could be a reason that drought has become more common in regions of the world where trees dwindle or grow rarer, like western Africa.
All-Natural – Also seen as 100% Natural, this designation holds no legal bearing or requirement by the FDA or USDA, the same as with Natural. The implication of this claim is that a food is somehow better for you, minimally processed, or produced without additives. However, without any governmental regulation, the usage (and interpretation) of these terms runs wild, running the risk of Greenwashing.
Some companies mean well, and their usage of All-Natural does indeed mean what they suggest. Conscious Consumers know to read labels carefully, understand ingredients and manufacturing processes, and look for certifications when they need official assurances.
B
Bioaccumulation – As living creatures consume food, the components of that food absorb into their bodies. Natural, healthy substances provide energy, aid in reproduction, and enable them to rebuild and grow. Unnatural substances, like Microplastics and heavy metals, are often present in their food, too.
When organisms cannot excrete these substances, then gradually accumulate in their bodies. As larger organisms feed on smaller ones, this accumulation process is amplified. Unnatural substances concentrate into unhealthy levels, a process known as biomagnification. We monitor predatory fish, like sharks, tuna, and swordfish for their levels of mercury, and microplastics are another existential threat.
Biodegradable – With the help of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and algae, substances break down over time in the environment. Ideally, only safe compounds remain, like carbon dioxide, water, Methane, biomass (organic waste), and mineral salts, like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and others. The gold standard of biodegradation is Composting, a nuance that means something is 100% environmentally safe and non-toxic.
The catch is, the term “biodegradable” has come to cover anything that breaks down over time. This means that technically almost anything is biodegradable...with enough time. Petroleum-based plastics “biodegrade” over hundreds or thousands of years, but never completely.
Microplastics remain invisible to the human eye, but they are still environmentally toxic. Sometimes, chemical additives must be added to the plastic to help it break down. Perhaps the term we should be using is simply degradable.
Biodiesel – Natural fuels can be derived from natural materials, like vegetable oils (i.e. corn and soybean oils) and animal fats. They can power an ordinary diesel engine, which can certainly save in fuel costs, if it's legally permitted for use by taxation law. Alternatively, some pumps offer R5 or R20 diesel fuel, indicating that 5% or 20% of the fuel volume is Biodiesel, mixed with petroleum Diesel.
It boasts Cleaner burning properties that can reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by more than 80%, with lower carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrocarbon emissions during combustion. Technically, it can produce slightly more nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) than petroleum Diesel. Cleaner alternatives remain Wind, Solar, and Geothermal Energy.
Bioenergy – We produce this energy when we burn Biomass, which is recently living organic material, like plants and algae. It’s used as fuel for transportation, machinery, heat, electricity, and certain products. We position bioenergy as Clean and Renewable, but this technically depends on the Biofuel sourcing, production, and byproducts during combustion, and the ability to regenerate the source biological materials.
Biofuel – Made from natural materials, like cellulosic ethanol, biopetrols, and renewable hydrocarbon "drop-in" fuels. Common terms like Biogas, Biodiesel and Green Diesel are all examples of biofuels, which can be gas, liquid or solid.
The five main categories—methanol, biodiesel, butanol, ethanol, and bio-oil—are all derived from Biomass. They represent a path towards renewable energy sources (ones that could last indefinitely), unlike Fossil Fuels, which will eventually be depleted from their underground stores.
Biogas – Primarily Methane and Carbon Dioxide, Biogas comes from the breakdown of organic waste, like food, animal manure, or sewage in an anaerobic environment (without oxygen). Released into the atmosphere, we also refer to these (among others) as Greenhouse Gases. As these accumulate in the atmosphere, they trap heat from the sun and cause a gradual rise in the Earth’s temperature.
Biomass – Any plants-derived materials—like vegetable oils, forest waste, organic pulp and paper mill waste, urban wood, animal manure, plants, grains, and animal-based oils—comprise what we call biomass.
A key differentiating factor is, these are non-fossil organic materials containing carbon and intrinsic chemical energy. The plants and animals that create Biomass did not die millions of years ago, as is the case with Fossil Fuels. Formed by more recently decayed organic matter, Biomass can be converted into Biofuel, which releases Bioenergy to fuel cooking, heating, lighting, and more.
Bioplastics – To be considered a bioplastic, sometimes referred to as plant-based plastics, a material must be one of the following:
1. Biobased - Made from a renewable organic sources, such as corn starch, potato starch, or sugarcane
2. Biodegradable - Able to break down completely, and ideally by natural means, in the environment
3. Biobased AND Biodegradable
Companies have derived a host of materials from plant-based sources to create plastic alternatives. We see packaging containers and wrappings, straws, bags, bottles, and machine parts in agriculture, medicine, and auto manufacturing. Some can be waterproof, heat-resistant, or insulating. Some Bioplastic products labeled as "biodegradable" have chemical additives that aid in the degradation, which does not necessarily make them Eco-Friendly.
Bioplastics may be molded, pressed, injected, and 3D printed. They take on many of the physical properties of petroleum-based plastics. Almost any product that’s traditionally plastic can be made from Bioplastics. Together, they represent an exciting future: a reduced reliance on fossil fuels (oil) for plastic production. You can read more in our 3-Part Bioplastic Series.
Blackwater – We apply this term to toilet waste water, containing human waste and toilet paper. This distinguishes it from Greywater, which represents all other non-toilet, human-created waste water.
Blue Water – This term arises during discussions about our Water Footprint, which itself is a play on Carbon Footprint. Blue water refers to surface water and groundwater typically used for irrigation.
BPA – The chemical bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate plastics, like water or soft drink bottles and food containers, and epoxy resins. Seeing “BPA-free” on plastic products signals that their production did not rely on this chemical. Any plastic can leach toxins into our food, but BPA is particularly harmful.
The Mayo Clinic states that BPA exposure is concerning because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. Research suggests that it can affect children’s behavior and is linked to increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
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Carbon Credit – Also known as a Carbon Offset, this permit or certificate grants the holder (often a company) permission to emit Greenhouse Gases, namely carbon dioxide. Companies who pollute receive a finite number of credits, which decreases over time. Each credit limits the emission to one ton of carbon dioxide. If they exceed their cap on Carbon Emissions, they can be subjected to a fine.
The overall goal is to financially incentivize companies to reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions over time. The proceeds from sales help fund emission reduction projects, which rely on them (in addition to outside funding) to move forward, a protocol known as the “rules of additionality.”
Carbon Cycle – In this natural cycle, carbon is exchanged between the land, air, water, and organisms on the Earth. Carbon is the primary element of all biological (living) organisms, so this cycle effectively generates and sustains life. Through the millennia, carbon is released into the air, Sequestered by plant life, and recycled in proportions that have allowed life to flourish. In recent decades, humans have disturbed this cycle by burning fossil fuels, deforestation vast amounts of forests (which sequester carbon), and industrial farming practices.
In 2020, atmospheric CO2 had increased by over 50% since pre-industrial levels, accelerating Climate Change. Dissolved in the oceans, CO2 has increased Acidification by 30%, which alters marine chemistry and threatens sea life. Wide-scale farming practices often require deforestation, which eliminates natural carbon stores (trees) in the process. Re-establishing an equilibrium to this carbon cycle remains a global priority to protect all life.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – Chemically one part carbon and two parts oxygen, this compound occurs naturally on Earth. Humans and other aerobic organisms exhale CO2 as they produce energy to survive. Plants and algae utilize it as part of photosynthesis, which returns oxygen into the air.
CO2 has a host of incredible uses, from fire extinguishers, to decaffeinating coffee, to carbonating beverages, to keeping things cool as dry ice. Over the past few decades, human activities, chiefly burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have introduced excess amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, disrupting the natural Greenhouse Effect. In the ocean, dissolved carbon dioxide, carbonic acid and other compounds increase ocean Acidification, jeopardizing marine life.
Carbon Emissions – Whenever we (individuals and companies) burn oil, coal and gas, we emit Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Deforestation also significantly contributes to the carbon emissions problem in two ways. Indirectly, trees store carbon dioxide naturally through photosynthesis, preventing massive amounts from accumulating in the atmosphere. Directly, trees that are burned or left to rot to clear space for agriculture release their stored carbon dioxide. Similarly, trees that are harvested for their wood leave a void in this natural carbon Sequestering process.
In recent decades, the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have increased at an alarming rate. Our global concern lies with Climate Change, the gradual warming of our planet due to increased greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere.
Carbon Footprint – Each year, our activities, like using electricity and natural gas, driving cars or ride sharing, public transportation and airline travel, and our waste—produce carbon and carbon compounds, like Carbon Dioxide. Your footprint is the amount of carbon emitted as a result, measured in pounds or kilograms.
Products and companies have carbon footprints as well, depending on their size, resources used, sourcing and production methods, shipping, and logistics. To limit the volume of emissions, by law, companies must secure Carbon Credits or Offsets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time.
Carbon Footprint Calculator – This tool provides a rough estimate of the weight of your emissions. Your annual activities, like transportation, utilities usage, and waste, factor into the equation. Together, these activities make up a person’s (or business’) Carbon Footprint.
You can try out this carbon footprint calculator from terrapass to get your personalized results. (It’s free.) You can take it a step further by contributing once (or monthly) to offset your own, uniquely calculated footprint.
Disclaimer: Ocean CUPS is in no way affiliated with terrapass, nor is it compensated for this link.
Carbon Neutral – To achieve the state of neutrality, a company (or person) must have a net zero Carbon Footprint. In other words, their activities technically release no new carbon into the atmosphere. Entities balance their inevitable carbon footprint by actively reducing their emissions over time.
If they fall short, they turn to Carbon Credits or Offsets to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by way of funding emission reduction projects. The global goal is to transition to a “post-carbon economy” where we rely solely on Clean and Regenerative energy sources, like Wind and Solar, not Fossil Fuels.
Carbon Offset – Another name for Carbon Credits, these certificates represent the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions. Some companies, especially airlines, extend this ability to consumers, allowing individuals to “offset” their Carbon Footprint for a fee. Other carbon offset systems involve tree planting, which we see today in a few clothing brands and other products.
Developers of emission reduction projects sell these carbon offsets to fund their work. These projects range from installing anaerobic digesters to capture and destroy Methane from cows, landfills, and malfunctioning oilfield equipment; to building wind power plants; to replenishing our forests.
Carbon Tax – Some countries have considered a tax on carbon dioxide emissions (and other greenhouse gas emissions with a similar risk of CO2). Under such, the government sets a price that Greenhouse Gas emitters must pay for each ton they emit. Businesses (and individuals) would need to begin switching fuels or adopting new technologies, to reduce their emissions and avoid paying the tax.
Some countries, like South Africa and British Columbia (Canda) already have a carbon tax in place. Like Carbon Credits or Offsets, this financially incentivizes entities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time, under free market conditions. The revenues from these efforts, in any country, can help address the economic harm caused by the burning of fossil fuels.
CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) – Also known as Freon (by DuPont), these compounds used to be used as refrigerants to keep things cool, propellants to expel liquids from canisters, and solvents to suspend other chemicals in liquids. They contribute to the depletion of the Ozone Layer, and their chemical nature prevents heat from escaping the atmosphere, creating a “super” Greenhouse Effect, worse than Carbon Dioxide.
Since the late 1970s, CFCs have been heavily regulated due to their damaging effects. In 1987, delegate countries signed the Montreal Protocol, which mandated significant reductions in CFC production and their elimination by 2010. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), like Suva and Dymel, also by DuPont, replaced CFCs because they broke down quicker in the atmosphere.
More natural alternatives today include ammonia, CO2, and hydrocarbons. They have a negligible effect on the global environment and are therefore used widely. This provides an excellent example of curbing and elimination of harmful human activities that contribute to Climate Change.
Clean – One of the most overused, yet ill-defined terms, Clean can take on just about any meaning. From the purported Eco-Friendliness of cleaning supplies, to fuel sources, to food, to production methods, just about every industry has latched onto this adjective to market themselves and their products. At its best, Clean signals a better product for you and the environment. At its worst, Clean is just another example of Greenwashing.
With household goods, Clean can merely mean that a product has fewer chemicals than another brand or prior versions of the same product. Or, it can truly mean that it contains healthy, Natural, and Sustainable ingredients. With fuel, Clean often describes lower hazardous waste and toxic emissions than an alternative or a previous iteration. For example, Green Diesel’s byproducts are technically safer than petroleum-based Diesel, but it's still not the best fuel source for the atmosphere in terms of Greenhouse Gases.
Food manufacturers’ usage of Clean to describe their products can be particularly misleading. We hear of “clean eating” in so many diets today, which should mean that a food is close to its original state, without unnecessary additives, colorants, processing, salts, fats, and sugars. In this context, however, Clean does not mean Organic or that something is necessarily healthier. Conscious Consumers know to read labels, understand ingredients, and they remain aware of processing methods.
Climate Action – Around the world, Climate Activists demand government intervention and policies to halt (and hopefully reverse) the effects of Climate Change, tied to the emissions of greenhouse gasses, like carbon dioxide and Methane. Many countries have joined international climate agreements, like the Kyoto Protocol, Copenhagen Accord, and Paris Agreement, which have varying levels of legally binding commitments by participating countries.
The countries most vulnerable to the warming of the earth typically contribute the lowest emissions. This puts a certain onus on heavily emitting countries to take action, like imposing a Carbon Tax or mandating vehicle efficiency standards, renewable fuel standards, and air pollution regulations.
Climate Activist – Anyone who demonstrates (peacefully), advocates for, or works toward protecting the natural environment can be considered a Climate Activist. This can involve joining a local conservation organization or simply participating in their events. Taken a step further, some people advocate for strong Climate Action by the world leaders, lobbying for environmental protection legislation.
Climate Change – For decades, we have heard about the effects of Global Warming, which is the steady and unprecedented increase of the Earth’s temperatures, due to trapped solar heat. Greenhouse Gases emitted by human activity prevent this heat from naturally escaping the atmosphere. Climate Change more comprehensively covers the resulting new weather pattern shifts, like more intense storms, rising sea levels, and temperature extremes.
The leading culprit of Climate Change is increased use of fossil fuels for energy production and transportation, which specifically releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Expansive, large-scale farming and cattle raising is another double-edged sword. It exacerbates Climate Change by eliminating natural forests that sequester Carbon Dioxide and introducing huge numbers of livestock that produce Methane, another greenhouse gas.
Climate Crisis – This sounds like an alarmist term, but it’s worth seriously considering. Scientists today believe we have just one decade left before our Climate Change damage is irreversible. That is, unless we focus on Climate Action to stem the tide of rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions.
Some offer a rosier viewpoint, suggesting that radical transformations in how we grow food, use land, transport goods (and ourselves), and power our countries can slowly reverse the effects of Greenhouse Gas emissions.
Climate Denier (Climate Science Denier) – There are some individuals who refuse to believe the overwhelming scientific evidence of Climate Change. They believe the concept to be a hoax or conspiracy theory. Some argue that emission-reducing lifestyle restrictions impose on their personal liberties. Others point to water vapor in the atmosphere, which is (accurately) by far the largest component of the Greenhouse Effect.
In 2019, The Guardian reported that climate denying Americans were gradually shifting their tone on climate change. Some personally experienced extreme weather and warmer seasons. Others became more informed and merely realized the gravity of the situation.
Climate Emergency – Some governments have taken Climate Action to heart, declaring Climate Emergencies. These signal that tangible efforts to curb Climate Change are a priority. It’s a relatively new concept, so it can be difficult to define.
Some see these declarations as merely token announcements (or even legislation), since these action rarely enact real change. Ideally, countries would actively participate by drastically reducing carbon emissions and planting more trees to absorb the excess carbon dioxide humans produce.
In recent decades, countries have gathered from across the world to sign Climate Change-oriented treaties, such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. These have aimed to hold countries accountable for their respective Greenhouse Gas emissions and outlined goals to achieve in decades to come. While not labeled as Climate Emergencies, per se, they are steps towards a post-carbon world state.
Compost – Simply put, compost is organic matter that has broken down completely into natural elements. This leaves only carbon dioxide, water, other inorganic compounds (like salts and other minerals), and biomass (like plant debris). Composting requires the right environment, a recipe that requires heat, water, and oxygen. The result is a fiber-rich, carbon-filled humus (pronounced HYOO-mus), which also contains inorganic nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiu can assist with future plant growth.
Effective composting does not produce Methane, which contributes to global warming. Methane production occurs in the absence of oxygen. Combine organic material with moisture, air, and enough heat, and your byproduct should only be Carbon Dioxide.
Compostable – Organic matter that breaks down naturally and can be used for Compost is, by definition, compostable. The catch is, some items (like compostable plastics) will not decompose in your home or backyard garden. Instead, these materials require an industrial composting facility, which applies specific heat requirements and manual aeration. These are not a feature of every city; many service multiple counties or large portions of a given state.
New age “compostable” products may mean well, but without proper consumer education, these labeling additions amount to little more than Greenwashing. If sent to a landfill, these “plant-based” and “compostable” products have a similar lifespan to petroleum-based materials, taking hundreds or thousands of years to biodegrade.
Conscious Consumerism – As we grow increasingly aware of the upstream and downstream effects of our purchases, we become more Conscious Consumers. From gaining knowledge of a product's ingredients or materials, sourcing practices, production methods, and shipping choices, we can discern which upstream processes are worth our dollar. Avoiding plastic or excessive packaging shows care of the downstream impact of our waste. Usually, these individuals focus on living within Sustainable bounds.
D
Deforestation – This refers to the clearing of a forest or woodland area, often in the regions of our world’s rain forests. We transform this newly cleared land into farms, ranches, or new living space. Additionally, Climate Change can unnaturally act as a deforesting force. The recent prevalence of powerful wildfires destroys hundreds of thousands of acres each year, and rising temperatures create unsustainable habitats for other forests (and their inhabitants).
Trees are absolutely vital to the health of the planet. As we humans breathe in oxygen and expel Carbon Dioxide, trees do the opposite, replenishing our clean air. They also Sequester (store) carbon within their bodies, preventing excesses from entering the atmosphere and regulating global temperatures. They also help prevent floods, with their root systems absorbing water and holding soil in place.
Diesel / Diesel Fuel – Technically, any liquid fuel compatible with a diesel engine may be classified as Diesel Fuel, but they vary in terms of their combustion byproducts. The most common form of Diesel is distilled from petroleum fuel oil, a Fossil Fuel. Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) comprises most Diesel used in Europe, the UK, the U.S., and the rest of North America. It powers motors from trucks, cars, and buses, to trains and aircraft, to military vehicles, to tractors and heavy equipment.
Historically, Diesel Fuel held higher levels of sulfur, but regulations in the 90s and 2000s mandated a maximum level of sulfur parts per million (ppm). Post-combustion exhaust contains polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), linked to negative health effects from eye and nose irritation, to headaches and nausea, to respiratory disease and lung cancer. Today, alternatives like Green Diesel, Biodiesel, and Renewable Diesel offer much safer options without compromising fuel performance.
Dioxins – These highly toxic chemicals emit into the air when we incinerate our trash, burn fossil fuels, bleach paper pulp, and produce Pesticides. Sadly, due to the prevalence of these activities, they are found everywhere in the world. They are extremely harmful to us humans and other organisms, causing cancerous tumor growth, infertility, serious skin conditions, and fetal development problems.
We also refer to them as persistent environmental pollutants (POP’s) because they remain in the soil, air and water for many years. In the environment, they are absorbed by plants through the soil and fatty tissues in animals. They bioaccumulate up through the food chain, into the meat, dairy, and fish we eat. What starts out as relatively low doses in the environment therefore pose real threats to our health.
E
Ecocide – This broad term describes the destruction of natural ecosystems and their species, especially when this is deliberate. Ecocide can also come from negligence, which even without intent, can have the same devastating effects. Some countries, though none in the UN, have designated Ecocide as a crime.
Eco-Conscious – Breaking this down, Eco represents our global ecosystems, and Conscious represents possessing an awareness of how we affect our ecosystems in our daily lives. It’s a lifestyle (or business) term that describes those who show concern for the environment through their purchases, efforts with the 5 Rs, and business practices in line with being a Socially Responsible Business.
Eco-Friendly – Synonymous with Environmentally Friendly, this term describes products, lifestyles, and those who lead them that have a net positive effect on the environment. From purchasing Sustainable products, to actively conserving energy, to supporting protective legislation, this is truly “living green.”
Ecological Breakdown / Collapse – When an ecosystem has been affected (damaged) to the extent where it can no longer support all organisms it typically does, it risks an ecological breakdown. This can lead to mass extinctions, the early signs of which we’ve seen in ecosystems like Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Rising ocean temperatures cause the corals to expel their symbiotic algae, causing a “bleaching” effect and their death and the loss of habit for countless other species.
Eco Tourism – Travelling by plane or by cruise ship consumes excessive fossil fuels, making it particularly environmentally UNfriendly. The growing, alternative Eco Tourism movement involves tours, activities and accommodations that prioritize the environment. For example, a hotel might actively turn to Solar Power, water reduction practices, and source their restaurant food from local farmers and markets. A traveler might also explore a city by bike instead of a car or tour bus.
Eco Warrior – Similar to Climate Activists, Eco Warriors actively try to prevent damage to the environment, using the judicial system to prevent human activities with negative ecological effects. In certain contexts, the term has taken on something of a derogatory meaning. It paints these individuals as extremists who shame those who do not change their carbon, energy, water, and plastic consumption habits, and who engage in illegal activities, both for and against the environment. In a more positive light, these folks care passionately about the environment, going above and beyond in their daily lives to preserve and protect what they love.
Energy Vampires – Few people recognize that certain devices still use (drain) energy when turned off. For example, your computer still draws electricity from the wall, even after its battery is fully charged. People can also be described as energy vampires. Take your computer or phone away from the charger, and it still draws energy and wastes it. The always-on coffee pot is another example. Also known as Phantom Loads, these devices can comprise up to 20% of your monthly energy bill.
Power strips, also known as surge protectors provide a dual service. They prevent spontaneous electrical surges from damaging plugged-in devices, and they also prevent excess electricity from flowing into nothingness when your devices are not plugged in. You can also simply unplug chargers and devices from the wall when not actively being charged.
Environmentally Friendly – Like Eco-Friendly, this term describes purchase behaviors, living practices, and people who maintain a positive effect on the environment. It’s a catch-all description to denote “green living” behavior and sometimes appears as Environmentally Safe.
Ethical – Pertaining to the way our goods and services are produced, an Ethical business holds the environment, its inhabitants, and the workers it employs close to its heart. They intrude on wild, natural spaces as little as possible, obtain their raw materials from renewable resources, provide fair living wages and good working conditions for their employees, and preserve a transparent supply chain and logistics process. In short, they prioritize fundamental principles of decent human (and environmental) conduct.
F
Fair Trade – This certification signals that a company ensures decent working conditions and a fairer compensation for farmers and other goods producers in developing countries. The designation also assures that the land and waterways used to produce said goods and services are protected, preserved, and replenished as needed to have a neutral effect on the environment.
Fair Trade Certification can cover any industry, from dairy, to fashion, to coffee, to cooking and baking supplies (like chocolate). It’s a model of sustainable consumption that we see in the form of a green and black seal on the end consumer products we buy in stores.
Fast Fashion – This has become widely popular with the advent of online shopping. It originated to describe clothing that moved quickly from the runway to stores to accelerate new fashion trends at affordable prices. It evolved to describe the low-cost, mass-produced “fashionable” clothing we see today.
Inevitably, this process takes shortcuts in production, skimping on quality, materials sourcing, care for the employees who make them, and shipping to consumer-facing storefronts. Unfortunately, some people wear these clothing items just once before discarding, due to their availability and attractive pricing. In contrast, Slow Fashion takes a more careful approach.
Fossil Fuels – Organic matter, namely ancient plants and animals, transform over millions of years into the coal, oil and petroleum, and natural gasses we use for transportation, energy production, and other oil-based products today. Burning fossil fuels produces Carbon Dioxide, among other byproducts, which emit into the atmosphere at a rate over over 20 billion tons annually across the globe.
Scientists across the world have unified to conclude that emitting Greenhouse Gases, like CO2, have accelerated Climate Change in recent decades. Petroleum, natural gas, and coal, fossil fuels represent 85% of our world's energy sources. Alternative Renewable Fuels, generated by Geothermal, Solar, tidal, Wind, wood, and waste transformation, represent a smaller, but growing share.
Fracking – This process involves injecting liquid (plus sand and thickening agents) at high pressure into deep underground rock sources to extract oil or gas. Within subterranean rocks, we use these boreholes to force open existing fissures to be extract these petroleum products. It began in the 1950s and continues today, with nearly 3 million jobs (half in the U.S.) performed since then.
Fracking is highly controversial. Advocates point to the economic potential of more highly accessible hydrocarbons, like natural gas, which emit less Carbon Dioxide than traditional coal. Opponents point to Methane leakage, water contamination, noise and air pollution, earthquake triggers, and proven human health effects, from pregnancy risks, to pulmonary diseases, to chronic headaches and psychological stress.
Free Range – Referring to cattle, livestock or poultry, this designation means that the animals are kept (at least for part of their days) outside with freedom to roam and forage. Eggs born of poultry under these more natural conditions may also receive this label.
Strict legal requirements—like percentage of outdoor time, minimum square footage of roaming space, and access to clean water—govern what are or are not “free range” animals or animal products.
G
Geothermal Energy / Geothermal Power – The Earth’s crust stores heat energy, originating from its formation and radioactive decay of certain composite materials. We see the effects in natural hot springs, but we harvest this energy today by converting heat surrounding volcanic activity into electricity. The heat alone is also harnessed for resident and commercial spaces, industrial processes, desalination, and various agricultural needs.
Government research and industrial development have brought down the cost of this energy source dramatically in recent decades. We celebrate Geothermal Energy as Renewable and Sustainable, as any heat extraction is minuscule compared to the Earth’s heat content. It also returns an equal volume of water to the area where heat extraction occurs.
That said, some remain concerned over the gases, like Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen sulfide, Methane, and ammonia, Greenhouse Gases that are extracted with the super-heated geothermal liquids and contribute to Global Warming if not properly managed. In addition, the liquids can also surface toxins like mercury and arsenic, which are harmful if not returned back to the extraction site.
Global Warming – The most commonly discussed component of Climate Change, Global Warming refers to the gradual, steady increase in atmospheric (and terrestrial) temperatures, due to the Greenhouse Effect. Human consumption of Fossil Fuels, Deforestation, and expansive increases in manufacturing and agriculture have released increased levels of Carbon Dioxide, CFCs, Methane, and other pollutants. These activities have accelerated the warming effects of this phenomenon.
GMIs (Genetically Modified Ingredients) – Also referred to as genetically modified (or engineered) foods, these ingredients are derived from GMOs, organisms that have had artificial changes introduced into their DNA, often by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. We use many GMO plants to make ingredients, such as cornstarch from GMO corn or sugar from GMO sugar beets, which are then used in other foods.
As with GMOs, a similar controversy surrounds GMIs. Opponents argue for the right to know about which food or ingredient has undergone genetic manipulation. Concerns for human and animal health, as well as for the environment, remain prevalent.
Still, innovative companies continue to develop new ingredients for our food. For example, Impossible Foods patented a technology that produces “heme,” also known as soy leghemoglobin. They use this colorant to make its Plant-Based meat “bleed,” and it’s grown within genetically modified yeast. The yeast is not a food source, and the heme protein is only an ingredient, not a standalone organism. Hence, we call it a GMI.
GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) – Any species whose genetic material has been artificially (outside of natural evolution) manipulated, may be labeled as genetically modified. Often, we employ bacteria, viruses, or fungi to create plants, animals, or microorganisms not found in nature. Some GMOs are better equipped to fight off diseases, droughts, or other threats. Other times, we add or subtract certain genes to produce plant and animal products with superior traits or suppressed negative traits.
Examples of GMOs range widely. From slowly ripening fruits, to herbicide tolerance and insect resistance plants, to nutritionally enhanced rice, to faster-growing, heartier cattle, GMOs are ubiquitous today. Human gene therapy to treat genetic disorders, create vaccines, and combat immunodeficiencies continue to be developed.
Controversy surrounds the possible health and environmental effects of GMOs, from allergic reactions, to gene transferring, to rampant genetic material that spreads in unforeseen ways (i.e. herbicide resistant weeds and insects). While many scientists remain united in their confidence in GM crops, each GM food is tested on a case-by-case basis before introduction to our food supply.
Green – We use this catch-all term to refer to anything that is Eco- or Environmentally Friendly, Recycled, Renewable, Sustainable, and more. Given its widespread usage, it runs the risk of being abused. Package coloring, misuse of terminology, and manipulation of word usage can all be examples of Greenwashing. This practice actively deceives consumers into thinking their purchases are better for the environment (or health) than they may indeed be.
It’s best to remain an informed consumer, and words matter. Thoroughly research packaging, ingredients, materials sourcing, and production methods prior to purchasing. In conversation, try to use accurate terminology to describe a product, process, or company to reflect their true business practices.
Green Build – Some planners, architects, contractors, and construction workers, have begun to utilize environmentally friendly, yet resilient materials in their projects. Through meticulous design and construction materials, builders strive to create safe and healthy living and commercial spaces.
Efforts include installing Solar panels for power; utilizing Geothermal heating and cooling systems; enabling Recycling and effective waste reduction; use of non-toxic, ethical and Sustainable building materials; and careful consideration of the environment in design, construction and building operation (i.e. energy-reducing appliances).
Green Diesel – Also known as Biodiesel, this renewable Biofuel has the identical chemical structure as petroleum Diesel Fuel. This makes it an excellent “drop-in” diesel substitute, compatible with existing petroleum pipelines, storage tanks, and diesel engines.
We develop Green Diesel through various thermochemical processes that create viable fuel from crop residues, wood and sawdust, and select food waste, like animal fats and used cooking oil. In production, we introduce oxygen into the fuel, which can cause issues with freezing temperature, separation during storage, algae growth, and higher emissions compared to Renewable Diesel.
The U.S. government considered biodiesel to be Carbon Neutral because their base plants and animal fats absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. This offsets the Carbon Dioxide emitted during combustion. Interestingly, California uses nearly all of the U.S. produced renewable diesel and imported renewable diesel. This stems from the economic benefits bestowed under California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Green Living – This lifestyle choice involves purchases and practices aimed at limiting harm to the environment and focused on sustainable consumption of food, energy, and material goods. It’s a blanketed term that encompasses a host of activities, from buying local, to composting, to purchasing Slow Fashion clothing, to Reusing, Repurposing, and Recycling.
Green Tariff – As a renewable energy solution, a Green (Supply) Tariff makes Clean power more readily accessible to customers in regulated electricity markets. Costs can vary, depending on the utility provider’s agreement with the energy provider or prices set by the renewable energy projects themselves.
Basically, it’s an energy rate by one’s local utility provider that allows eligible customers to source up to 100% of their electricity from renewable energy projects, like Wind farms, Solar, or Hydroelectric Power stations. Corporate entities can also purchase renewable energy certificates, which can help them advance their overall Clean energy goals and contribute to emissions reductions.
Green Water – Like our Carbon Footprint, each of us has a Water Footprint when we think about our water consumption, directly and indirectly. Blue water refers to rainwater.
Green Technology (Environmental / Clean Technology) – Any technology developed to specifically reduce (or reverse) its impact on the environment may be classified as green, environmental, or Clean. It’s an umbrella term with endless applications. The “green tech” designation is not reserved for a specific industry, product, or service.
Common household examples include LED lighting, which require less energy to function, rechargeable batteries, which yield less waste, and hybrid cars, which reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Industrial examples include vertical farming to reduce land requirements, and Starbuck’s purchase of a 140,000-acre wind farm to power 600 southeast stores.
Greenhouse Effect – Fundamentally, the Greenhouse Effect is the natural process by which Solar Energy (heat and radiation) warms the Earth, allowing life to flourish. A traditional greenhouse does the same for plants under its transparent roof. Some solar energy reflects off the Earth’s atmosphere, and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated downward by Greenhouse Gases, like water vapor, Carbon Dioxide and Methane.
Today, the Greenhouse Effect more commonly refers to an enhanced version of this natural phenomenon. Excess Greenhouse Gasses from human activities (i.e. burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial farming) fill the atmosphere with increasing amounts of CO2 and methane. In recent decades, this has resulted in Climate Change, which delivers hotter temperatures, extreme weather, and rising oceans.
Greenhouse Gas – Any atmospheric gas that absorbs and reflects energy (heat, light, and radiation), thus contributing to the Greenhouse Effect, may be classified as a Greenhouse Gas. The most common forms are water vapor (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), and Ozone (O3). Among others, these gases work to preserve enough heat energy to warm the planet, providing optimal conditions for life. Without them, the Earth’s surface would fall far below freezing.
In recent decades, persistent and damaging human activities, like burning Fossil Fuels, large-scale agricultural efforts, and Deforestation, have produced excess amounts of Greenhouse Gases, amplifying the Greenhouse Effect. As CO2 and Methane fill the atmosphere and pollutants like CFCs deplete natural Ozone, we experience the effects of Global Warming, and more comprehensively, Climate Change.
This results in rising surface temperatures, extreme weather patterns, and critical loss of life. Significantly reducing our Greenhouse Gas emissions will prove critical to sustaining a safe and viable future for all life on Earth.
Greenwashing – Many companies present themselves and their products as “sustainable” through earthy tones on their packaging, sponsorships and endorsements, or fancy, but ambiguous language. If they use harmful ingredients in its products or processing, that’s deceptive. Their terms are pure marketing. They sound good on labels, and they make us feel like we’re making a difference.
Unless you really investigate the materials and manufacturing that go into a product, you may buy something you might not otherwise. Read more about How To Spot Greenwashing and What To Do.
Greywater – We apply this term to household waste water, from laundry, kitchen and bathrooms sinks, baths, and showers. Blackwater, on the other hand, specifically refers to toilet waste water, containing human waste and toilet paper. Unlike Blackwater, Greywater can be filtered, sanitized, and reused in a variety of ways, like landscape irrigation. It also refers to the freshwater used to disperse fertilizer and Pesticides over crops.
Groundwater – In soil, water collects in cracks and open spaces where it accumulates and flows through natural aquifers that act as a filtration system. This water source is a prized resource, which is particularly vulnerable to Leachate from Landfills, poorly managed or dumped industrial waste, and pollutants from human activities, especially the burning of Fossil Fuels.
In the U.S., Groundwater supplies over half our drinking water, and nearly all of the drinking water in rural areas. We grow our crops with over 60% of the Groundwater we source. In nature, Groundwater replenishes our lakes, rivers, and wetland marshes.
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Handmade – These products (or crafts) are truly made by human hands, not machines and factories. This cannot possibly extend to all consumables, and since the Industrial Revolution, humankind has worked tirelessly towards efficiency in production. There’s nothing wrong with progress, but there remains room for quality and meticulous attention to detail inherent in Handmade goods.
Often, the proceeds from such items support workers in impoverished countries or regions. The end-cost of these goods may be higher, but this helps lift up these underserved or overlooked communities. Other consumers prize the individuality and even minor flaws that give Handmade goods their character. When shopping, be careful of the Greenwashing that comes in the form of “hand-crafted” or “hand-picked,” which do not signal the unique craft or skill inherent in Handmade goods.
Herbicide – These weedkillers are toxic to many plants, used to destroy unwanted vegetation, like weeds and other invasive species. Selective herbicides kill specific weed species and leave desired crops largely unharmed. Non-selective herbicides (total weedkillers) kill all plant material they touch, often used to clear waste ground, industrial and construction sites, railways and railway embankments.
Herbicide resistance remains a major agricultural concern, meaning producers must rely on combinations of them to effectively shield their crops. Many contain glyphosate, a known toxin, and other ingredients linked to skin rashes, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. This led to the advent of organic farming, leaving behind herbicides or turning to organic, natural herbicides.
Hydroelectric Energy – Also known as Hydroelectric Power or Hydroelectricity, this form of energy captures the might of moving water to generate electricity. It remains one of the oldest methods for harnessing power. Water in motion spins turbines that convert its kinetic energy into electricity, which is then stored or dispersed for human use. Common power plant forms include dams, pumped-storage via reservoirs, run-of-the-river relying on constant upstream water movement, and tidal, which make use of the daily ebb and flow of ocean water along shorelines.
We consider hydro-powered energy to be Clean, with plants requiring no Fossil Fuels to create power and producing no waste. It’s Renewable since it consumes no water in the process of electricity generation. It’s also flexible, as the amount of power can be increased or decreased rapidly to meet energy demands. The cost of energy produced is relatively low compared to alternative, less Clean sources, although the initial capital costs to construct (as with Wind) are high. Many Hydroelectric plants last decades, even hundreds of years.
Disadvantages include habitat destruction or alteration, as in the case of damming rivers or diverting natural bodies of water. Some individuals are displaced by construction, having to move their homes and lives elsewhere in conceding to construction. Maintenance costs can run high, from managing silt and land erosion, to preserving the integrity and safety of the plant itself. In areas dense in vegetation, like rain forests or woodland areas,the anaerobic decay of local plant life contributes excess methane to the atmosphere, though far less than plants relying on Fossil Fuels.
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IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) – This United Nations body objectively assesses the science related to human-caused Climate Change. Its reports contribute to the work of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), our initial and primary international treaty and authority on Climate Change.
Report contents cover a wide range of natural, political, and economic impacts and risks, and possible response options. Thousands of scientists and experts voluntarily contribute to writing and reviewing reports, which are then reviewed, line-by-line by over 120 delegate governments.
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Kyoto Protocol – This international treaty, signed in Kyoto, Japan, extended the UNFCCC’s framework for committing signatory countries to reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions, a global effort to combat Climate Change. It entered into effect in 2005, and as of 2020, there were 192 signing parties, only Canada having withdrawn in 2012. The treaty acknowledged that different countries contributed varying amounts of Carbon Dioxide, Methane, nitrous oxide, and other Greenhouse Gases, tying individual states’ responsibilities to their historic emission levels.
The main goal of the agreement was to control emissions by setting estimated “caps” on each tier of participating country. The hope was to stabilize global emissions at a level that would not dangerously impact the world’s climate system. It was a first step in pushing countries to reflexively hold themselves accountable for contributing to Climate Change. Since the treaty’s commitment period ended in 2020, The Paris Agreement took effect in 2016 to carry on the mission for years to come.
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Landfill – Also known as a dump or dumping ground, landfills are our oldest waste disposal method. They hold all of our household waste, industrial, and corporate waste not diverted to a composting facility or recycling center.
What starts as aerobic biodegradation (with oxygen injections and bacteria breaking down the material) yields to anaerobic conditions as trash compacts and oxygen becomes scarce. At this point, the garbage enters an acid-forming phase, in which bacteria consume remaining nutrients. Metals become more water soluble, increasing their concentration in potential Leachate from the landfills. By products convert to Methane and Carbon Dioxide, and the final stage pushes oxygen and remaining organic matter becomes a composted, humus-like substance.
Landfills, while apparently vital to our waste management, present a number of environmental and health issues. A chief concern is pollution to the local ecosystems, which occurs when Leachate seems into and contaminates local groundwater, aquifers, and soil.
Landfill Gas – As organic and inorganic matter breakdown, bacteria releases gases. Carbon Dioxide and Methane result from aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition. In the average landfill, Methane composes about 50% of released landfill gases, and CO2 is a bit less. The remaining gasses are about 5% nitrogen (N2) and less than 1% hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
These Greenhouse Gases permeate out of the landfill and into the atmosphere and surrounding soil. Since the CO2 was originally sequestered in organic plant material, when it’s released, it reenters the Carbon Cycle, adding no new CO2 to the atmosphere. Methane is highly flammable, even explosive. In modern landfills, these gases are captured and incinerated or recovered to generate Clean electricity.
Leachate – Naturally, precipitation falls onto open Landfills, seeping into the garbage and picking up its minerals on the way through. If not contained, perhaps with a protective, impermeable Landfill liner, this can flow into groundwater. Collection systems in modern landfills collect this Leachate so it can be treated and evaporated.
Once filled, Landfills are filled, they are sealed off to prevent precipitation from forming new Leachate. The catch is, the impermeable Landfill liners have a lifespan. After a hundred years or so, any liner can deteriorate and leak. The ground around Landfills must be routinely tested for Leachate contaminating local groundwater.
Local / Locally-Sourced / Locally-Grown – As the term suggests, proximity to where you buy an item is critical. For example, Local foods are often Organically-grown, less processed (i.e. preservatives for shipping), and indirectly emit lower Carbon Emissions with a shorter transportation distance to market.
Spun another way, Local can denote that a particular good is grown or harvested, produced, processed, made or crafted and then sold within a certain area. These can then subsequently be shipped and sold elsewhere, but the supply chain up to that point supports that original “local” region.
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Methane – Chemically one part carbon four parts hydrogen (CH4), this compound is the primary component of Natural Gas. Abundant on Earth below the seafloor and in the atmosphere, we utilize it for fuel that powers a variety of needs, from generating electricity in gas or steam turbines, to heating and cooling our homes, to propelling rockets into orbit. We also use Methane as a chemical feedstock, creating Cleaner hydrogen gas, which can be used as fuel, to refine petroleum, or to create industrial ammonia. Some Methane helps produce other chemicals and process various food products.
Due to human activities, like burning Fossil Fuels, atmospheric Methane has increased over 150% in recent decades. As a Greenhouse Gas, it is over 30x more potent than Carbon Dioxide in terms of contributing to Global Warming and more comprehensive Climate Change. While we constantly hear about our Carbon Emissions, Methane is the far more dangerous culprit of Climate Change.
Livestock rearing also produces massive amounts of Methane. Cows naturally expel the gas as a byproduct of digestion, producing up to 40% of our atmospheric Methane. This places pressure on farmers to capture and digest or reuse the gas. Landfills also produce Methane, once aerobic (presence of oxygen) biodegradation concludes. Certain microorganisms further break down our waste, expelling Methane as a byproduct.
Microbeads – In some countries, like the UK, these Microplastic additives have been banned from everyday healthcare products, like toothpaste, makeup, and skin exfoliants. When not banned, they represent a real threat to marine life. They can pass through water filtration systems and end up in our waterways, leading to the ocean.
Microplastics – Most plastics will break down due to heat, sun exposure, pressure, and microorganism activity. However, there is a limit to their decomposition. At under 5 mm in length (about the size of a sesame seed), we classify plastic pieces as Microplastics, which may never fully disintegrate.
Instead, they collect in huge offshore plastic accumulation zones, or gyres. We call the largest one the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), located halfway between Hawaii and California. The GPDP is nearly 620 million square miles (twice the size of Texas) and 100,000 tons (heavier than 550 airline jets).
Sadly, Microplastics are often mistaken as food by marine life, like plankton, the world's smallest creatures and plants. As ocean animals eat plankton, microplastics make their way up the food chain, even into the fish we eat. This process is called Bioaccumulation.
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Natural – This vague and often abused term simply denotes that a product contains natural ingredients or materials that are supplied by nature and transformed by humans and machines. Since there is no legal definition, almost any company can claim something is “natural,” simply because one (or multiple) ingredients are technically from nature, originally. For example, high fructose corn syrup is derived from corn, but we transform the base vegetable in a variety of ways that are harmful to our health.
Neither the USDA nor the FDA has official regulations for Natural food labeling or All-Natural for that matter. The FDA’s informal policy states that “natural” foods have "nothing artificial or synthetic (including colors regardless of source) is included in, or has been added to, the product that would not normally be expected to be there."
This fairly policy does not cover production methods, like Pesticide use or animal antibiotics and hormones, or food processing or manufacturing methods, like pasteurization. Therefore, Conscious Consumers should instead look for other designations with greater protection, such as the USDA’s Certified Organic and Fair Trade or assurances like “no antibiotics ever” and "hormone-free" on their food labels.
Natural Gas – Sometimes referred to as “fossil gas,” this Fossil Fuel is a hydrocarbon and Methane mixture. It forms as ancient plants and animals decay deep within the Earth’s surface, like oil and other petro-based substances. We drill and Frack to extract this Greenhouse Gas from underground stores and rock formations. Processing raw Natural Gas into suitable fuel for heat and electricity produces ethane, propane, butane, Carbon Dioxide, water vapor, helium, and nitrogen. Since the finished product is colorless and odorless, we add a foul-smelling scent to assist with leak detection.
Consumed for heat, fuel, and electricity, Natural Gas produces less waste and toxic materials than Fossil Fuels when burned, but it still releases Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Some praise it for being the Cleanest hydrocarbon-based Fossil Fuel, which is true. Renewable (synthetic) natural gas is another avenue of producing gaseous fuel sources from organic materials, but it still produces atmospheric and other environmental pollutants. Alternative sources like hydrogen fuel cells may prove to be a better option, once developmental advances and pricing makes the technology more marketable and widespread.
Nurdles – Virgin (new/raw) plastics, as they are called, arrive at manufacturing plants as smaller, pea-sized pellets. Like Microplastics, Nurdles can be mistaken for food by aquatic organisms. They can appear transparent, like fish eggs or other small animals, which attract seabirds and fish.
Negligence in shipping or processing sees Nurdles end up in rivers and the sea. Over 200 marine species have been shown to consume plastics. This can cause them to stop eating natural foods. Moving up the food chain, Bioaccumulation threatens larger species, even humans.
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Organic / Certified Organic – As it relates to agriculture, organic refers to the growing of food without chemicals, like fertilizers and Herbicides. USDA guidelines are comprehensive, covering soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. These practices have higher production and labor costs as well as lower produce yields. Consequently, this translates to higher consumer prices to compensate producers at the same rate as conventional producers.
Labels can be a bit ambiguous to the uninformed consumer, especially if they read Natural or All-Natural. Organic means that 95% of its ingredients are organically produced and the other 5% must be on the USDA’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, or “100% Organic.” Certified Organic producers must prove substance use history for three years, provide a plan for ongoing practices and substance use, and keep five running years of substance use records. They must also pass continuing annual and unannounced inspections after certification, else pay a civil penalty of up to $11,000.
Packaging that reads “made with organic _____” means that at least 70% of its ingredients are organically produced. The remaining ingredients must be produced according to approved guidelines (i.e. no GMOs or GMIs), but they can be substances not allowed in 100% organic products. Packages reading “made with organic _____,” will not contain the USDA organic seal but will still be approved by a USDA-accredited certifying entity, which should appear somewhere on the label.
Concerns over non-organic, conventionally-grown foods stem from possible negative effects on the environment, animal and plant health, Groundwater and drinking water contamination. However, there is insufficient scientific and medical evidence to validate claims that organic foods are healthier or safer than non-organic foods. Nutritional value can vary, but not necessarily one direction or another.
Ozone – Chemically three parts oxygen, Ozone is a pale blue Greenhouse Gas that forms in the stratosphere and absorbs most of the Sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. We call this atmospheric collection the Ozone Layer, and it’s responsible for protecting life on Earth. Some solar radiation, UV-B rays, does reach the Earth’s surface and causes sunburn in humans and other organisms.
Historical usage of CFCs and HCFCs as coolants, propellants, and solvents lead to the depletion of the Ozone Layer, noted as “holes” in the protective atmospheric shield. These substances have been eliminated or banned in most developed countries for the past decade. Since then, we have used more natural substances for our industrial and everyday products.
Ozone Layer – Acting as a “shield” against harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, this atmospheric layer of ozone (O3) exists between 9 and 22 miles above sea level. It absorbs or reflects 97-99% of the UV light that would otherwise pose a threat to life on Earth. Since the mid 1970s, researchers have studied the depletion of the Ozone Layer by industrial chemicals, like Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), nitrous oxide (NO), chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br).
Without ozone, more solar UV radiation reaches the Earth’s surface with devastating effects, like crop loss and skin cancer in humans. Ozone levels have decreased by 4% globally over the last few decades. Around the north and south poles, about 5% of the Earth's surface, larger and seasonal “ozone holes" have developed, which risks melting polar ice caps.
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Paris Agreement – This international treaty, signed in Paris, France, superseded the UNFCCC’s previous treaty, the Kyoto Protocol. It entered into effect on Earth Day 2016 with representatives of 196 countries signing on to mitigate Climate Change and govern the methods and finances to do so. As of 2021, 191 countries have ratified the treaty. The U.S. withdrew temporarily in 2020 but rejoined in 2021.
Putting more specifics on the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement set forth a Global Warming temperature goal of below 2 °C (3.6 °F) above pre-industrial levels, decades ago, and limit the increase to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F). To achieve this, participating countries must reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions immediately and achieve a net-zero emissions goal by the second half of the 21st century. Leaders believe this will substantially reduce the negative impact of Climate Change.
While praised by many, critics argue the treaty to be insufficiently binding. The treaty represents commitments or pledges by countries to achieve these collective goals, with no threat of litigation to enforce compliance. Time will tell if countries self-impose Greenhouse Gas emissions and develop technologies to reduce reliance on Fossil Fuels, large-scale farming and livestock production, and Deforestation.
Plant-Based – Packaging and products that are entirely (or partially) derived from plant matter may be classified as Plant-Based. There is no official definition or government regulation of the term, so some companies take liberties with its use. That said, many companies who take the effort to produce such goods pride themselves on creating Sustainable things for human consumption.
Examples range from Bioplastic packaging that dissolves fully in water or Composts in soil, to protective foam packing derived from corn, to potato starch-based cutlery, to Recycled cardboard, which of course, originally comes from plants (trees).
Plant-Based Diet – Sometimes referred to as a plant-rich diet, this lifestyle involves consuming only (or mostly) plant-based foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices. Like a Vegan Diet, it excludes all animal products, including red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Many who follow this diet prefer their plant-based ingredients to be minimally processed (before cooking), starting with their purest, raw forms (think: Whole Food Diet).
While some may argue that Plant-Based and Vegan Diets are the same, others find that Plant-Based eaters swim in a grey area. Depending on one’s flexibility, a Plant-Based Diet may allow for occasional meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products, but the vast majority of their food consumption is plants.
From a health perspective, eating a Plant-Based Diet has been linked to lower chances of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. The only nutritional deficiency is Vitamin B12, which is usually found in animal-derived foods and remains critical for human health. Followers of a Plant-Based Diet turn to supplements and/or fermented foods, like tempeh and certain seaweeds.
Another key distinction is, being Vegan and “veganism” has taken on the connotation of a movement centered on ethics and animal welfare. Not all Plant-Based eaters adhere to this mentality, but they share a concern for the negative effects of modern, large-scale agriculture and livestock rearing. Many also agree on the health effects of avoiding the cholesterol and saturated fats in animal products.
Pesticide – These chemicals kill (or at least deter) “pests,” the insects and other organisms that damage crops or plants. They are designed to leave crops unharmed, targeting only pests. The term can technically cover Herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, molluscicides, fungicides, and antimicrobial agents.
As with Herbicides, resistance to the chemicals poses a problem, requiring new pesticide usage or higher doses. Concerns also arise over their potential to contaminate Groundwater, drinking water, and soil. In addition, health issues ranging from skin and eye irritation, to hormone disruption, to cancer, to neurological diagnoses, to birth defects and death. Pesticide alternatives include pheromones, genetic engineering, and pest breeding interventions.
Phantom Load – Another term for Energy Vampires, these household devices drain energy, even when turned off. Power adapters, battery chargers, and coffee pots are all common examples. They are worth note, accounting for up to 20% of a person’s monthly energy bill. To conserve energy, people turn to surge protectors or simply unplug unused devices proactively.
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Recycle – This should be the last step in the 5 Rs, after attempting to reduce consumption and reuse our everyday products. Recycling requires a bit of extra effort. First, research which specific materials your local municipality accepts. (Think: The numbers on the bottoms of plastic bottles or packaging.) Second, wash food containers and wrappers before recycling. Otherwise, we risk dirty recyclables being diverted to a landfill. Total bummer.
Certain products never belong in your curbside bin or barrel. Look for special recycling centers for batteries, old electronics, printer ink cartridges, and other non-standard items.It only takes a few seconds to choose to recycle. It takes much longer for trash to break down in landfills. Make it a happy, healthy habit to recycle trash after you’ve Reduced, Reused, and Repurposed what you can!
Reduce – Number 2 in the 5 Rs, this concept applies to every commodity we consume. Conserving electricity and water makes obvious sense. It also applies to things we commonly purchase from stores and online. Reducing consumption can have a ripple effect. We can put less stress on production, transportation, and storage. We also minimize potential spoilage.
Reforestation – This regenerative activity involves planting trees and other plant species to intentionally replenish the world’s supply and counteract Climate Change. It differs from Afforestation in that it replaces plant life that was previously cleared by humans or destroyed by forest fires, natural or otherwise. Both have the goal of Sequestering carbon and Carbon Dioxide in biomass. Many companies have turned to Reforestation in efforts to position themselves as Socially Responsible Businesses.
Refuse – The first line of defense in the 5 Rs is simply saying “no” to what you don’t need. Set a standard for yourself, actually mean it, and stick to it. Avoid plastic straws, produce bags, plastic-wrapped produce, Single-Use cutlery, marketing freebies (i.e. key chains, squishy balls, and pens), and Single-Use coffee pods and tea bags. What may feel uncomfortable at first gets easier with time.
Renewable Diesel – Similar to Biodiesel (or Green Diesel), this is not a fossil fuel. It’s similarly made from renewable materials, like natural animal fats, vegetable oils, and greases. And like Biodiesel, it possesses an identical chemical structure to petroleum diesel, making it a “drop-in” substitute fuel for diesel engines.
In production, we do not introduce oxygen, like Biodiesel/Green Diesel. Instead, it’s hydrogenated, using hydrogen to process the feedstock into a viable fuel source. This stabilizes the fuel and mitigates the freezing temperature and storage issues present in Biodiesel. It also allows Renewable Diesel to burn Cleaner than Biodiesel.
Renewable Energy / Regenerative Energy – Any energy drawn from resources that are not depleted when used, like the sun, wind, waves, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, may be classified as renewable or regenerative. The four main beneficiaries of renewable energy are: electric power, heating and cooling of water, transportation, and rural (remote) energy services.
An estimated 20% of our total global energy consumption comes from renewables. About 25% of our electricity is generated from renewable resources. These “alternative” energy production efforts are becoming more efficient, cheaper, and popular, especially Solar, Wind, and Geothermal sources.
Some recognize the danger of Climate Change and naturally gravitate away from Fossil Fuels. Others, especially businesses, react to the liability they would be held accountable for if they continue to emit Greenhouse Gases at their historical rate. Others become attracted to tax breaks and public perception of being powered by renewable energy.
Repair – This is an “honorable mention” in the 5 Rs because it can be more difficult to adopt each day. That said, it’s an excellent goal. The first difficulty is ability. (That said, almost anything is learnable today online.) The second is space. Not everyone has a garage or yard for repair projects. Third is access to the right tools, either owned, borrowed, or rented. Still, strive for excellence, and give repairing a fair shot. When in doubt, try searching for “easy home repair hacks” to fuel your imagination (and save money).
Repurpose – Also known as Upcycling, the fourth strategy in the 5 Rs involves finding creative new uses for common waste items. Pinterest is absolutely full of creative DIY ideas. Or, search for “practical upcycling” to find endless opportunities! Save paper waste as scrap paper, shoe boxes for storage, and laundry detergent jug for watering plants. Repurpose an old pallet into a shelving unit or backyard planter. Get creative, and have fun!
Reuse – Reusing products and packaging at home, the third of the 5 Rs, means we limit excess production. When we buy new (or again) unnecessarily, we signal an increased demand for that thing. That sends ripples through the supply chain. Reusing common household items means you need to store them somewhere, but that’s a small sacrifice to make.
Rewilding – We refer to restoring natural ecosystems to their original re-human state, as Rewilding. We also know this more broadly as conservation or conservation biology. From Reforestation (replanting trees), to reintroducing apex predators and critical species, to removing dams and dykes, many active projects aim to bring back wildlife and their ecosystem. The gold standard is to create projects that need little if any human attention or management, that are truly wild again.
Rot – All aboard the composting train, and "honorable mention" of the 5 Rs! If you’re fortunate enough to have a home with a yard or residence with a deck/patio, composting should certainly be doable. Apartment composting can prove challenging, but it’s not impossible. Indoor composting simply requires worm bins. Yes, worms! With a 50/50 split of carbon (paper products) and nitrogen (food scraps), your worms will be well fed in their indoor soil home. You can steal healthy dirt from the bottom of your bin, and feed them food/paper waste on the top.
Sending food waste to a landfill does not mean it will safely decompose. Composting requires aeration, which does not happen at the average dump. Instead, compressed waste breaks down anaerobically (without oxygen), releasing methane into the atmosphere and affecting climate change. The best part of composting is, you can transform your food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer for your household and backyard plants. Plus, if you create enough, you can share the excess plant food with your neighbors.
S
Sequester – Pertaining to carbon, this explains the long-term capture, removal, and storage of Carbon Dioxide. Naturally, all species of plants do this through photosynthesis. Peat bogs and other wetlands, like mangroves, hold a gradual accumulation of decaying plant matter, functioning as a carbon “sink.” Reforestation and Afforestation are two efforts that actively strive to achieve carbon sequestration.
The ocean presents a number of natural and human-driven opportunities to Sequester carbon. From iron and urea fertilization to encourage phytoplankton growth, to algae stimulating efforts like “mixing layers,” to coastal seaweed farms, to deep-seas CO2 injections, the ocean offers a number of natural, safe options to Sequester carbon dioxide.
Single-Use Plastic – Also known as “disposable” plastic, this describes any item designed to be used once, typically for on-the-go situations, before being discarded. This includes plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, cups, plates, bowls, cutlery, food packaging and containers, and soft drink bottles.
Of the 300M+ tons of plastic we produce each year, about ½ of it is disposable. Less than 10% of recyclable plastic IS recycled, and the rest fills Landfills, where it will never biodegrade fully. It eventually breaks down into Microplastics, which inevitably make their way to the ocean and threaten marine life.
The toxin chemicals released in that degradation (plus plastic itself) makes its way up the food chain, a process called Bioaccumulation, and into our bodies through the food we eat. Research suggests that these chemicals may be linked to hormonal issues, cancer, infertility, birth defects, and impaired immunity, among other issues. Our best bet is to Refuse all Single-Use Plastics offered to us, Reuse and Repurpose what we can, and Recycle when all else fails.
Slow Fashion – We refer to buying clothing less frequently and with intention for each item to last years, or even a lifetime, Slow Fashion. It’s about buying for quality, not speed of production or access to the newest styles. When we turn over our wardrobe and even donate to secondhand shops, many of our garments inevitably end up in Landfills. The Slow Fashion movement clothes us thoughtfully, intentionally, and holistically, avoiding excessive supply chains or careless consumption.
This model of clothing production merges a brands ethical and Sustainable goals with an evolving consumer appetite for practical, sustainable options. From slower production schedules (hence the name), to small-batch collections, to Zero-Waste designs and shipping, to ethical conditions for production workers, this trend offers a bright future.
Brands who create with linen, all-cotton, TENCEL™, or even bamboo present comfortable and stylish options made from renewable materials. They are sturdy enough to last, and even if tossed out, these fabrics will Biodegrade in a safe, Eco-Friendly manner. They may cost a bit more, but that supports a more Sustainable production cycle, a living wage for workers, and even Reforestation efforts, depending on company practices.
Pessimistically, some view this giving back as an effort to hide or mask the negative social or environmental impacts of their business. For example, donating $1M to create a community garden and support a local learning program does not offset the carbon emissions of a factory.
Solar Energy / Solar Power – The sun will not stop burning for billions of years, so it only makes sense to harness its energy. In fact, every 90 minutes, enough energy from the sun permeates our atmosphere to power the entire world for a year, making it the most abundant renewable energy source available. We burn no Fossil Fuels to produce this energy, making it Carbon Neutral and truly Clean. Photovoltaic panels (or mirrors) concentrate Solar Energy and store it in batteries or thermal (heat) storage.
Today, we integrate Solar Energy systems into our homes and businesses through panels on our roofs, parking lots, and nearby fields. Excess energy can feed back into electrical grids to supply other local homes and businesses or centralized stations for extended distribution. We produce enough Solar Energy today to power 13-15% of all U.S. homes, and it’s grown over 40% annually in recent years. Advocates celebrate Solar Energy’s versatility, able to power, heat, and even cool residential and commercial spaces; power electric vehicles; facilitate agriculture and livestock growth; and heat and treat water.
Sustainable / Sustainability – Fundamentally, this refers to a resource or production method that does not deplete natural resources and actively maintains balance in the environment. Sustainability spans legislation, urban planning, consumer purchase and consumption habits, transportation, and supply-chain and logistics management.
The World Summit on Social Development outlined three overlapping and interdependent “pillars of sustainability.” First, the economy must improve the quality of our lives while supporting ecosystems. Second, we must achieve societal gains through universal human rights improvements, growth towards a peaceful future, and a global respect for nature. Third, we have an obligation to preserve nature, achieved through Regenerative Farming practices, Green Building and Green Technology in residential and commercial spaces, and renewable harvesting of the Earth’s life-supporting natural resources.
Unfortunately, the term “sustainable” has become so commonplace that we abuse it these days, both in active marketing and casual conversations. It’s critical to avoid falling victim to Greenwashing. At a macro level, we attempt to quantify Sustainability through Triple Bottom Line accounting (tied to the three pillars above), the Environmental Sustainability Index, the Environmental Performance Index, and Circles of Sustainability, to name a few.
In our everyday lives, we can strive for sustainability in four main categories, posed as questions:
1. Does at least some of my energy (electricity, heat, and fuel) come from renewable sources?
2. Do I conserve the water I use in the shower, for washing my clothes and cars, and in cooking?
3. Is my food grown/raised locally and through sustainable farming practices, and can I reduce waste?
4. Can I avoid cleaning supplies, air fresheners and candles, and toxic plastic clothing/materials?
U
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – This international treaty serves to protect the Earth from "dangerous human interference with the climate system,” signed at the Earth Summit in 1992 by 154 delegate countries. Today, there are 197 signing parties, nearly every country in the world. Today, there are 197 signing parties, nearly every country in the world. Its first measure was the Kyoto Protocol, which ran from 2005-2020 and later gave way to the Paris Agreement, which has been in effect since 2016.
The primary objective of the treaty is to hold world economies financially and politically responsible for mitigating the effects of Climate Change caused by Greenhouse Gas emissions. Despite its noble endeavors, many criticize the UNFCCC for its failure to reduce the emission of Carbon Dioxide and other Greenhouse Gases since inception.
Upcycle – A spin on Repurposing in the 5 Rs, Upcycling asks us to find new, creative uses for the items and materials we might normally throw away. In doing so, we create something of equal (or higher) value as the original product. It’s often tied to Repurposing clothing, but you can search for “creative upcycling” or “DIY upcycling” for endless ideas.
A few easy starters include cleaning out old candle holders, glass jars, or wine bottles to pot plants; saving plastic containers to store nails, screws, pins, and other spare parts; and converting old clothing into all-purpose household rags.
V
Vegan / Veganism – This describes a person and/or lifestyle that a person avoids consuming (a Vegan Diet), using, or exploiting animals in any way, whenever possible. While there is some room for interpretation and strictness, many Vegan individuals are strongly opposed to animal products of any kind. This usually stems from ethical or environmental reasons.
A Vegan lifestyle can extend to avoiding products tested on animals, like medications or immunizations that use animal byproducts. Shopping behaviors usually eliminate clothing, personal care products, shoes, accessories, and household goods derived from, or tangentially related to animals.
Vegan Diet – Essentially identical to a Plant-Based Diet, eating Vegan avoids all red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy, focusing instead on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices. Similarly, those following a Vegan Diet find that their only nutritional deficiency is Vitamin B12, an essential human nutrient normally found in animal-derived foods. They consume supplements and/or fermented foods for this missing vitamin. Otherwise, many enjoy lower chances of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Those who differentiate from a Plant-Based Diet argue that a Vegan Diet is more strict. Some people who eat Plant-Based occasionally allow meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products, but those on a Vegan Diet almost never will. In addition, Veganism adheres to other lifestyle choices to avoid any animal products, extending to medications tested on animals, clothing, and everyday goods with animal byproducts.
Vegetarian / Vegetarianism – This lifestyle is less strict than a Plant-Based Diet or Vegan Diet. It avoids red meat, poultry, and fish, but it generally allows for the consumption of dairy and eggs. Some choose this diet out of respect for lifeforms they believe to be capable of feelings and sensations. Others cite health, environmental, cultural, or merely personal preferences.
Variations include ovo-lacto vegetarian (allowing both eggs and dairy), ovo-vegetarian (allowing eggs, but not dairy), and semi-vegetarian (may occasionally include fish or poultry). One specific offshoot is termed pescetarian, in which adherents only eat fish and no other meats.
Health benefits mirror those of Plant-Based and Vegan Diets, namely decreased chances of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, depending on the levels of eggs and/or dairy consumed. Risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency can be lower, given the consumption of certain animal-based foods.
W
Waste Stream – Our waste, be it domestic or industrial, solid, liquid, or gaseous, has a life cycle from source to disposal, known as waste stream. Disposal can be something active, such as depositing in a Landfill or recycling center, or passive, like releasing into the atmosphere. Legislative efforts aim to regulate Waste Streams so they are disposed of and treated in a responsible, compliant manner.
Water Footprint – This measures the volume (cubic meters) or weight (metric ton) of water used to produce the materials and services we commonly use. We can directly measure the water used to grow acres of corn, for example, or we can indirectly attribute the water consumed to fabricate a pair of jeans, produce our car’s gasoline, or operate a global company.
Our collective Water Footprint serves to identify how and where our finite amount of freshwater is used, wasted, or polluted. We classify three main categories: Green, Blue, and Grey. The comprehensive water picture allows us to manage exporting and importing water as needed, regulate water where it’s scarce, and identify opportunities for better water conservation.
Wind Energy / Wind Power – The massive wind turbines we see in the deserts or offshore capture the power of wind, turning generators that create electricity. While growing in popularity as a Sustainable and Renewable Energy, it’s an intermittent energy source. This means it cannot be tapped into on-demand, and it varies in power over the short term, according to weather conditions. To manage this, energy companies utilize Wind in conjunction with other on-demand power sources, like gas-burning or Hydroelectric Power.
In recent years, Wind has supplied over 5% of the world’s energy needs, as high as 15% in some regions, like the U.S. Since no fuel costs are required to capture Wind Energy, the prices of generated electricity are lower and much more stable than that of Fossil Fuels.
The leading deterrent to Wind Energy is the initial capital investments required to build the facilities, even spread out over the lifetime of a plant. That said, these requirements have dropped in recent years with the benefits of tax incentives and government subsidies for these Clean energy projects. In addition, companies who invest in (or source from) Wind Energy can claim Carbon Credits for their involvement. Detractors point to the visual impact on a landscape, the effect on bird populations, and relatively short lifespans (10-20 years) and Landfill dumping of the fiberglass turbine blades.
Z
Zero Waste – A popular modern lifestyle, living Zero Waste involves coordinated efforts to create no waste that ends up in Landfills or sent off to be Recycled. From shopping for package-free and bulk products, to Reusing and Repurposing when possible, to avoiding Single-Use Plastics, to Composting, there are countless ways to make a difference as an individual, family, community, or company.
For many, living Zero Waste seems like a drastic lifestyle change. All at once, it certainly is! However, if you tackle this movement choice-by-choice, it’s certainly adoptable. For starters, check out our guides for a more sustainable Kitchen, Bathroom, and Living Room.
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