Eco Terms
What does all this eco talk mean? Here's a few commonly used terms in the eco world:
- Biodegrade - (of a substance or object) be decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms // verb
- Biodegradable - (of a substance or object) capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms // adjective // in order for packaging and products to be labeled as biodegradable, they must breakdown within a year or less
- Compost - decayed organic material used as a plant fertilizer //noun
- Compostable - (of organic matter, especially kitchen waste) able to be made into compost // adjective
- Greenwashing - disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image // noun
- Eco - not harming the environment; eco-friendly // adjective
- Sustainability - able to be maintained at a certain rate or level // adjective
- Sustainable - avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance // noun
- Organic - produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents // adjective
- Recycle - convert waste into reusable materials, to use again, to return materials into to a previous stage in it's cyclic process // adjective
- Recycling - the action or process of converting waste into reusable materials // noun
- Refill - to fill a container again // adjective, the act of filling a container again // noun
- Refuse - to indicate or show that one is not willing to do something // verb
- Restore - to bring back (a previous right, practice, custom, or situation); reinstate. // verb
- Reuse - use again or more than once // verb
- Rot - (chiefly of animal or vegetable matter) decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose // verb
- Biodiversity - The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem // noun
- BPA - a synthetic organic compound used in the manufacture of epoxy resins and other polymers; bisphenol A // noun
- Carbon Emissions - carbon emission is the release of carbon into the atmosphere by planes, factories, increase in burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, cars, etc. aka CO2 emissions // noun
- Carbon Offset - an action intended to compensate for the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of industrial or other human activity, especially when quantified and traded as part of a commercial program // noun
- Carbon Neutral - making no net release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, especially through offsetting emissions by planting trees // adjective
- Climate - the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period // noun
- Decompose - (with reference to a dead body or other organic matter) make or become rotten; decay or cause to decay // verb
- Deforestation - the action of clearing a wide area of trees // noun
- Ecosystem - a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment // noun
- Greenhouse Gases - any of various gaseous compounds (such as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse affect // noun
- Global Warming - a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants // noun