Important terms and definitions

Sustainability Terms

• Sustainability – Using resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations.

• Sustainable development – Economic growth that balances environmental protection and human needs.

• Circular economy – Designing products so materials are reused, repaired, or recycled instead of discarded.

• Renewable resources – Resources that naturally replenish (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal).

• Non-renewable resources – Finite resources like coal, oil, and natural gas.

• Greenhouse gases (GHGs) – Heat-trapping gases like CO₂ and methane.

• Carbon footprint – Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a person, company, or product.

• Carbon neutrality – Balancing emissions with carbon removal or offsets.

• Net zero – Emitting no more greenhouse gases than are removed from the atmosphere.

• Climate mitigation – Efforts to reduce emissions or slow climate change.

• Climate adaptation – Adjusting infrastructure or policies to cope with climate impacts.

• Biodiversity – The variety of plant and animal species in an ecosystem.

• Habitat – The natural environment where a species lives.

• Ecosystem – A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

• Keystone species – A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem.

• Invasive species – Non-native organisms that harm ecosystems.

• Reduce, reuse, recycle – Waste-management hierarchy to minimize trash.

• Composting – Turning organic waste into soil.

• Landfill – A site for disposing of waste.

• Microplastics – Tiny plastic particles polluting water and soil.

• E-waste – Discarded electronics.

• Watershed – Land area that drains water into a river or lake.

• Aquifer – Underground layer of water-bearing rock or soil.

• Desalination – Removing salt from seawater to make drinking water.

• Energy efficiency – Using less energy to perform the same task.

• Clean energy – Energy sources that produce little or no pollution.

• Carbon tax – A fee on carbon emissions.

• Cap-and-trade – A system limiting emissions and allowing companies to trade permits.

• Environmental impact assessment (EIA) – A study of how a project affects the environment.

• Greenwashing – Companies exaggerating environmental claims.

• Environmental justice – Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens.