Environment 101
Quick Topic Reference
Alternative Energy is: wind power, solar power, geothermal energy, biomass, biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, propane, fuel cells, or any other source of energy that is not fossil fuel based.
More about Alternative Energy...Alternative Medicine is: any healing practice that is outside the realm of conventional medicine in the US, including homeopathic, holistic, naturopathic, meditation, mental therapy, acupuncture, massage, chiropractics, etc.
More about Alternative Medicine...Alternative Transportation is: using local bus transportation, carpooling, taking trains, riding bicycles, walking (foot power!), and driving battery-powered/electric cars, 100% bio-fueled vehicles, vegetable oil (grease) powered vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, or compressed air vehicles.
More about Alternative Transportation...Biodiversity is: the complex web of all living things that we humans depend on for our economies and our lives. It's the forests, the prairies, the coral reefs, the marine fish, the algae, and the insects that make up the living world around us and which we couldn't do without.
More about Biodiversity...Carbon Offsetting is: the act of mitigating (cancelling out) greenhouse gas emissions. Individuals and businesses can purchase offsets to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions from personal travel or production processes. Carbon offsets can be more efficient and immediate than other measures an individual can take to fight global warming, while reducing the same or more carbon dioxide emissions.
More about Carbon Offsetting...Environmental Education is: organized efforts to teach individuals how natural environments function and how human beings can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live sustainably.
More about Environmental Education...Green Building is: architectural design and construction practices that focus on the well-being of families, communities and the environment through conservation of materials, resources and energy, before, during and after the building process.
More about Green Building...The power consumers have to protect themselves and the planet by purchasing products and services that offer the greatest environmental benefit.
More about Green Consumerism...The production practices and methods are minimized and the environmental impact of the production is considered. For filmmakers, the Center of Social Media at American University, refers to this as "sustainable filmmaking."
More about Green Production...Land Conservation is: the protection of natural resources and ecosystems that are essential to supporting life from urban development and decimation. This green infrastructure includes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soils, aquifers, forests, grasslands, rivers and wetlands that provide the basis of all life.
More about Land Conservation...Organic/Natural Products are: those whose materials or ingredients meet or exceed regulations of organic or natural products. "Organic" means grown or produced with minimal processing and without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. "Natural" means less than the federally mandated amount of synthetic or artificial ingredients or material.
More about Organic Natural Products...Recycling including: Drop-off Recycling, Curbside/Collection Services, Hazardous Waste, Reuse/Donation, Technology, Auto, Scrap Metal and Buy Back, Industrial/Construction Materials Recycling and Reuse, Compost, Recycled Products, Waste Management Products.
More about Recycling...Renewable Fuels are: those derived from sources that are quickly renewed by the earth's natural processes. The five renewable fuels used most often are biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar.
More about Renewable Fuels...Sustainable Services are: services that are delivered in a renewable manner by a business that is truly committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, and that clearly demonstrates that commitment through actions in its community.
More about Sustainable Business Services...
