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The language of sustainabilityDefining a conceptA - D | E - H | I - L | M - P | Q - T | U - ZA - DAlbedo - Reflective power; the fraction of incident light from the sun that is reflected by a surface. Aquifer - Underground water bearing formation that serves as a source for wells and springs. Best Management Practice (BMP) - Methods or techniques found to be the most effective, practical and cost-effective means to achieve an objective such as preventing or minimizing pollution. Biomass - Plant material such as grasses, crops and trees that be converted to heat energy or fuel. Carbon footprint - Measure of human demand on the environment in terms of amount of greenhouse gases produced measured in carbon dioxide. Carbon sequestration - Storing carbon in the terrestrial biosphere, underground, or the oceans so that the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere will be reduced. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - Hydrocarbons that react with ozone in the stratosphere and deplete the natural ozone layer that protects the DNA of surface dwelling life by absorbing UV-B from the sun. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - Using the waste heat from an electrical generator to heat and cool buildings. Daylighting - Designing a building to reduce the need for electric lights by providing for natural light. District energy - Using a central source to efficiently supply electricity, heat and cooling in the form of steam or hot water or chilled water to a group of buildings. E - HEcosystem - A natural community that includes organisms and their environment linked by biological, chemical and physical processes. EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) - A report that documents the information required to evaluate the environmental impact of a project. Embodied energy - The quantity of energy required to manufacture and transport a product, material or service. Energy Star Program - A labeling system for over 50 categories of energy efficiency products operated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Footcandle (FC) - A unit of illumination equal to 1 lumen of light falling on a one-square foot area; approximately equivalent to the light of a full moon. Fossil fuels - Hydrocarbon fuel source such as coal, crude oil and natural gas that results from the protracted geologic transformation of plant or animal remains. Greenhouse gas - Any gas in the atmosphere (such as carbon dioxide, methane and CFCs) that are relatively transparent to the higher energy sunlight, but trap lower-energy infrared radiation. Green roof - Planting beds installed on roofs designed to conserve energy and water. I - LImpervious surface - Surfaces, such as sidewalks, streets, and roofs that don't allow water to soak into the ground, causing precipitation to run off into nearby water bodies. Infiltration - Water on the ground surface soaking into the soil and flowing between soil particles under the influence of gravity. Invasive plants - Both indigenous and non-indigenous species that are adaptable, aggressive, have a high reproductive capacity and tend to overrun the ecosystems they inhabit. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Low-impact Development (LID) - Design strategy with the goal of maintaining or replicating the pre-development hydrology of an area through the use of design techniques. Light-emitting Diode (LED) - An electronic component in which electric current is converted directly into visible or infrared light. LEDs are more efficient than tungsten filament and sodium vapor lights. Life cycle cost - The total cost of owning, operating and maintaining a building over its useful life, including its fuel and water, energy, labor, and replacement components. M - PMegawatt hours (MWH) - Megawatt hours are commonly used by electrical providers for purposes of metering larger amounts of electrical energy to industrial customers and to express the capacity of power generation facilities. Using a 100 watt light bulb for ten thousand hours consumes 1 MWH of electricity. National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) - The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set these standards for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. Native plants - Plants that have adapted to an area and its climate and do not require much maintenance and are not invasive. Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) - Typically refers to any binary compound of oxygen and nitrogen, or to a mixture of such compounds. NOX is a generic term for mono-nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2). These oxides are produced during combustion. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - A national permit program that regulates point sources that discharge pollutants into U.S. waters. The Phase II program expands the program by requiring municipal storm sewer systems in urbanized areas and small construction sites to implement programs and practices to control polluted storm-water runoff. Nonpoint source pollution - Water pollutant that cannot be identified with a specific source. Passive solar design - Building design that utilizes the sun's energy for the heating spaces without the use of solar panels or collectors. Perviousness - The percent of a surface area that is open and allows moisture to pass through and soak into the earth below. Photovoltaic (PV) - Solar panels made of plastic, metal, and glass that convert the sun's rays into electricity. Post-consumer recycled content - Contains recovered materials that have completed their life as a consumer product and would have otherwise been disposed of in a landfill. Pre-consumer content - Material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process. Q - TR-value - Measurement of insulation value. The higher the number, the better insulated your home will be. In general, attic spaces should be insulated for R-38 to R-44and walls insulated for R-19 to 21. Rain barrel - Container used to collect rainwater from roofs so it can be used to irrigate plants. Rain garden - 6 to 18-inch deep vegetated depression used to retain stormwater runoff and cause it to soak into the ground rather than enter stormwater pipes. Renewable Energy: Sources of power such as wind, solar or biomass that are not dependant on fossil fuels. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) - This is an efficiency measure for rating central air conditioners and central heat pumps. SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less. The minimum SEER allowed today is 13. Air conditioners with a SEER rating of 13 or greater qualify for an ENERGY STAR® label. Smart grid - Use of digital technology to conserve electric power and increase reliability by controlling appliances and helping consumers see the instantaneous cost of their energy use choices. Smart growth - A planning and transportation strategy that concentrates growth to avoid urban sprawl, encourage transit use, walking and biking, and implement best stormwater management practices. Stormwater – Includes precipitation, water from washing cars, over-watering landscape and other sources that runs off roofs, roads, and other hard surfaces and flows into stormwater basins and pipes that discharge into streams, rivers, creeks, and lakes. Sulfur Oxides (SO) - Compounds containing sulfur and oxygen, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3). Sustainable - In 1987, the Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Today there is increasing public and business awareness of the importance of sustainable practices. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) - Compact, mixed use development near new or existing public transportation stops. U - ZU-factor - a measurement of insulation value for doors, windows and skylights. The lower the U-factor, the more energy-efficient. U .35, considered a high-performing window, is the equivalent of an R-value of 2.86. Look for U-factor ratings that represent the entire window's performance, including frame and spacer material. United States Green Building Council (USGBC) - A non-profit organization devoted to shifting the building industry towards sustainable design and construction practices. The USGBC operates the LEED rating system. Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) - The total number of vehicle miles traveled within an identified geographic area. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) - Volatile, carbon-based substances that produce noxious fumes. VOCs are found in many paints, caulks and adhesives; evaporates readily into atmosphere. Xeriscaping - Landscaping and gardening techniques that do not require supplemental irrigation.
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