Green Terms and Definitions
Photovoltaic:
Converting light into electricity. Photo means “light” voltaic means “electric”. Often referred to as “PV” for short. More commonly referred to as “solar electric”.
Hydro-electric:
The mechanical energy of moving water is transferred by a rotating turbine to a generator, where it is converted to electric energy and conveyed along transmission lines.
Sustainability:
The ability to provide for the needs of the world’s current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs to anyone involved.
Carbon neutral:
A carbon audit regime is an effective means of accounting for greenhouse gas control efforts. It establishes that the claimed reductions in emissions, or carbon sequestration, has actually occurred and is stable.
Environmental Sustainability:
Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain the qualities that are valued in the physical environment. Threats to these aspects of the environment mean that there is a risk that these things will not be maintained. For example, the large-scale extraction of non-renewable resources (such as minerals, coal and oil) or damage done to the natural environment can create threats of serious decline in quality or destruction or extinction.
Biodiversity:
The variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems.
Organic:
Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. ‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole. Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water. Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.
Rapid Renewables:
Materials that are ‘sustainable’, meaning they are easy and economical to quickly replace to maintain a steady supply chain and prevent the depletion of natural resources.
Fair Trade:
Fair trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers. It is a social responsibility movement demanding that farmers, factory workers and other employees receive a fair price for their goods according to global standards.
