Glossary overview

Alternative Energy — by Joe Baylis — last modified Jan 04, 2010 05:39 PM

Energy that is produced using a method different to traditional, highly polluting fossil fuels.

Anthropogenic — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:24 PM

Refers to any process that is associated with human activity. In an environmental context, a mechanism of pollution and climate change can be anthropogenic or natural.

Biofuels — by Joe Baylis — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:24 PM

Are used as a substitute to burning fossil fuels to produce usable energy, predominantly for use in combustion powered vehicles.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:25 PM

A molecule made up of two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom. It is this molecule that shoulders the most social blame for global warming due to its greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.

Carbon Dioxide Emission — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:26 PM

Simply the amount of gaseous carbon dioxide released from a particular source, both anthropogenic (chimney stacks, exhausts and the general burning of fossil fuel) and natural (volcanoes, forest fires and biological). The units of measurements are normally kilograms (kg) of CO2.

Carbon Emission — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:26 PM

Slightly different to the above in that it refers to Carbon in isolation. It is possible to convert one to the other as the carbon atom in CO2 makes up 27% of its mass.

Carbon Footprinting — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:27 PM

A carbon footprint is "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008).

Carbon Neutral — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:27 PM

To be carbon neutral, a process must remove the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere as it releases i.e. an organisation’s carbon footprint must equal zero if they are to be carbon neutral.

Carbon Sequestration — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:27 PM

The removal of carbon from the atmosphere to be put into storage in another part of the carbon cycle. This can be performed directly or indirectly.

Deforestation — by Joe Baylis — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:28 PM

 

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — by admin — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:29 PM

The energy survey needed to produce an EPC is performed by an inspector who visits the property, examines key items such as loft insulation, domestic boiler, hot water tank, radiators, windows for double glazing, and so on.

Fossil Fuels — by Joe Baylis — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:30 PM

A group of natural substances that can be burned to produce energy. The three main fuels are coal, oil and natural gas and are classified as such due to the way they are formed.

Global Warming — by Mark Kragh — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:31 PM

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation.

Greenhouse Effect — by Joe Baylis — last modified Dec 05, 2009 03:30 PM

A phenomenon that results in the heating of the Earth as radiation (heat and light) from the sun is trapped within the atmosphere.

Heat Pump — by Mark Kragh — last modified Jan 15, 2010 03:47 PM

A heat Pump is an electrical heating system which used the heat which is readily available outside and moves this inside. The principle of operation is the same as in a fridge or freezer

Hydro-Electric Power — by Joe Baylis — last modified Jan 04, 2010 05:59 PM

A form of renewable energy derived from the flow of water.

ISO14001 Environment — by Joe Baylis — last modified Jan 04, 2010 06:03 PM

ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard that sets out how you can go about putting in place an effective Environmental Management System (EMS).

Kyoto Protocol — by Joe Baylis — last modified Jan 04, 2010 06:07 PM

A framework produced in 1997 at the UN Convention on Climate Change that originally bound 37 industrialised countries and Europe to reducing their Greenhouse emissions to a target level.

Little Ice Age — by Joe Baylis — last modified Jan 04, 2010 06:10 PM

A short period of northern hemisphere cooling between the 16th and mid 19th century when temperatures were, at most, 1˚C lower than at present.

Methane — by admin — last modified Nov 18, 2009 03:01 PM

Made up of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms, methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases in terms of its role in the future of climate change.