green is universal

A biodegradable product will break down in the environment within a reasonable time period. Examples of biodegradable products include food waste, most paper products, and plastics made from vegetable content. Examples of products which are not biodegradable (that is, will not break down within a reasonable time period) include plastic grocery bags, disposable diapers, and styrofoam cups.

Biodiesel is a fuel that is generated from vegetable oil, most commonly soybean and canola oil. Biodiesel can typically be blended at strengths between 5% and 20% (called B5, and B20, respectively) with diesel produced from crude oil and then used in conventional diesel engines.

Biological material from plant or animal matter that is used to generate fuel is often called "biomass." Examples include corn, sugarcane, and switchgrass.

The total amount of GHGs emitted by activities, such as electricity use and travel, over a certain period of time. GHG emissions are typically expressed in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents.

Emissions offsets, also known as carbon offsets, are reductions in emissions that would not have otherwise occurred unless someone paid for them. When you buy a carbon offset, you're paying someone else to reduce emissions because it's not feasible to reduce your own GHG emissions. When an offset created by an emission reduction program is purchased, the offset is said to be "retired." The project has to continue to reduce emissions to generate new offsets for sale.

Climate Change is the term used to describe changes to the overall temperature and weather systems that currently exist on Earth. One example of climate change is global warming, in which the average temperature of the Earth increases.

Scientists have assigned "CO2-equivalent global warming potentials" to the common greenhouse gases. For example, methane - produced by decaying animal waste and garbage - has a global warming potential 21 times that of CO2. Therefore, one ton of methane released into the atmosphere could be called 21 CO2 equivalent tons.

CSA is a cooperative effort between farmers and consumers in nearby locations. Typically, a consumer who participates in a CSA program agrees to pay a one-time or subscription fee in exchange for a periodic delivery of food produced by a nearby farmer. Often, food produced in CSA programs is grown organically, and the environmental impact of CSA food is often less than other food since the transportation distance is shorter.

CFLs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs because they generate the same amount of light using less energy. CFLs generate light with trapped gas, while standard incandescent lightbulbs use filaments to generate light.

An ecological footprint is a measurement of the total impact of human activity on the environment, including waste generation and resource consumption.

Ethanol is a fuel that is commonly mixed with gasoline for use in vehicles. Ethanol can be produced from a number of feedstocks, including corn, sugarcane, switchgrass, and algae. Most vehicles can use fuel that is 10% ethanol (called E10) without any modification, while Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) are modified to use up to 85% ethanol, or E85.

Energy efficiency is a measure of how much energy is needed for a product to perform its function. For example, CFLs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs because they generate the same amount of light using less energy. Reducing energy use is important to reduce human impacts on climate change.

A U.S. government program that certifies energy efficient products. ENERGY STAR certification applies to a variety of consumer products (including appliances and electronics) as well as homes.

A product labeled "Fair Trade Certified" has been produced in accordance with established environmental, labor, and developmental standards. The standards typically cover such topics as child labor prevention, health and safety provisions for workers, and pollution prevention measures. FLO-CERT is the organization that administers Fair Trade certifications.

A vehicle that has been designed or modified to use multiple fuels. The most common fuel used in FFVs is E85 ethanol, which is a fuel composed of approximately 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The most common modification made to a vehicle to convert it to an FFV is the replacement of components in the fuel injection system.

Geothermal energy is energy that is stored as heat beneath earth's surface. Typically, geothermal energy is harvested by pumping water through pipes or wells beneath the ground, where the water is heated and then brought back to the surface, where the heat is converted to energy.

Global warming is the warming of the Earth due to the Greenhouse Gas Effect. The scientific consensus that human activity, namely the burning of fossil fuels, is affecting the composition of the atmosphere and altering Earth's climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - a non-partisan, international panel of leading scientists - has called the connection between human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases and the observed warming of the Earth "very likely."

A green audit (also eco audit) is a process by which an individual or organization can assess and quantify its environmental impact. One common green audit is to assessing individual carbon footprints with carbon calculators: http://www.ge.com/ivillage/calculator/.

The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings to reduce impacts on the environment and health through increased energy and water efficiency, better siting and material use. Also: a building that is designed, constructed and/or operated to reduce impacts on environment and health.

GHGs are gases that contribute to the Greenhouse Gas Effect - the trapping of solar heat by Earth's atmosphere. The primary greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. While most greenhouse gases occur naturally, scientists believe that human-generated emissions are disturbing the balance of gases and thus increasing the temperature on Earth. Natural carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are amplified by burning fossil fuels. CO2 represents the largest share of human-generated emissions.

Heat from the sun is trapped by gases in the Earth's atmosphere, which maintains the Earth at a temperature capable of sustaining life. However, as the mix of gases in the atmosphere changes, more heat is trapped, causing the average temperature on Earth to increase.

Green Seal is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates products based on their environmental impacts. Products found to have acceptable impacts are then labeled as "GS Certified" or "Green Seal Certified." Products are evaluated using a life-cycle approach to ensure that all significant environmental impacts of a product are considered, from raw materials extraction through manufacturing to use and disposal.

Hydroelectric facilities, such as dams, have the ability to generate power by using moving water to turn the blades of a turbine.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system is a voluntary, nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Buildings are awarded LEED certification based on credits achieved and range from basic certification, to silver, gold, and platinum certification. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED processes.

A locavore (also localvore) is a person who eats foods primarily from their local region, often defined as a 100-mile radius. Aside from benefiting local communities, eating locally can reduce environmental impacts of shipping food over large distances.

Methane (CH4) is a hydrocarbon gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect. Common sources of methane are landfills and agricultural activities.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is non-renewable, but cleaner burning than coal and oil.

Buildings not connected to an electrical power grid, telephone network, or sewage system are called "off-the-grid." Typically, these buildings generate their own electricity and use septic systems instead of sewers.

Renewable energy is a term for fuel sources that do not run out or can be replenished relatively quickly.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. While PV cells work best in direct sunlight on clear days, they can also generate electricity from indirect sunlight on cloudy days. Solar energy can also be harnessed to heat hot water (solar thermal).

"Sustainable" describes items or activities that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

"Organic" refers to food production practices that are conducted without the use of synthetic chemical inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics. Food and beverages that are labeled "USDA Organic" have been certified by a USDA-approved agency.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization of leaders from the building industry working to promote green building practice. The USGBC administers the LEED rating system.

VOCs are emitted by a variety of products, including paints, cleaning supplies, carpet, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, and may cause immediate and long-term health problems. These organic solvents can easily evaporate into the air and can contribute to ground-level ozone, the main component of smog.

Wind energy is harnessed by windmill blades that revolve by the blowing of the wind. These blades turn a turbine, which converts wind power into electricity.