Environmental words D to F
This part of the Glossary looks at environmental words from E to F. Browse over the words below to find explanations of eco jargon.
Environmental words - D
Daylighting
Integrated design and use of natural daylight at the beginning of the build process. This optimises the position of a building and allows as much light into the interior as possible to reduce energy costs and encourage resource reduction.
Dioxin
A substance that is crated when plastics that contain chlorine (e.g. PVC) are burnt. A highly toxic substance.
Disposable
A product or material which is to be used only once before discarding.
Environmental words - E
Eco (Ecology)
The relationship between organisms and their environment. Commonly and informally used as a term for products and materials which are environmentally friendly.
Eco-chic / Green Chic
The trend and fashion of being environmentally conscious and buying 'green’ products.
Eco-consumer
A environmentally conscious person who buys products that are 'green'.
Eco-consumerism / Green Consumerism
Environmentally conscious people buying 'green' products and manufacturers producing them for that demand.
Eco-design
Design which considers ecological principles from concept to disposal. Looking at the least amount of damage to humans, the earth, climate and natural environment.
Eco-elite
A person who is environmentally conscious and who has the finances to support their environmental preferences.
Eco-friendly / Environmentally Friendly / Planet-Friendly
A broad term used for products and materials which are made specifically to reduce the negative effects on the environment. Also reducing the use of non renewable resources in sourcing, manufacture, packaging, use and disposal. This term applies to activities and services.
Ecological Footprint
An amount of land needed by a person or population to sustain their lives with the consumption of natural resources including waste. This is then calculated and compared to the earth’s ability to generate these resources.
Ecological Rucksack
The background historical information on how an end product is generated in materials, manufacture and energy input. Similar in meaning to the Ecological footprint but concentrating on material efficiency over the lifecycle of a product.
Environmental Management System (EMS)
A documented system that companies use internally to look at environmental issues, which highlights the impact of their business actions on the environment. . The standardisat9on systems for Europe are EMAS and ISO14001.
Energy Efficient
Methods and products which use a lower amount of energy to operate than their counterparts. Although initially more expensive, over the product lifetime they are typically more durable and cost less to use.
Energy Efficiency
Achieving the same outcome, such as light from a 60 watt bulb with less energy than counterpart bulbs. This reduces an unnecessary waste of energy and resources.
Energy Conservation
The reduction and limited use of non renewable energy such as electricity. This is achieved by using alternative renewable energy sources such as solar energy and daylighting.
Environment
Our natural or man-made surroundings both internal and external.
Environmental design
Design of physical environments that are socially and ecologically sustainable. Taking a holistic look at: interior/exterior, urban & natural landscape, noise/sound/acoustics, sight/vision/aesthetics, smell, air quality, natural light, heating, cooling, ventilation, comfort factors/ergonomics, historic preservation/vernacular design, universal design/whole building design/disabled access.
Environmental Impact
Any activity whether man-made or natural actions that have a positive or negative effect on the environment.
Emissions
Gases and vapours released into the atmosphere as a by product of another process e.g. manufacture, combustion, transportation etc.
Embodied Energy
The total amount of energy used by a process e.g. the total energy for a building begins with sourcing and manufacturing raw materials through to ongoing maintenance as the building ages. Embodied energy looks at the whole lifecycle.
Ethical Goods & Services
Companies who make sure that their suppliers uphold employee conditions and allow employees standard rights.
Environmental words - F
Feng Shui
The practice of property orientation, location, form and the analysis of time - based on ancient Chinese methods and principles. Fossil Fuel
Coal, oil and natural gases are created from condensed fossil remains of vegetation and animal/human life over the earth’s history. These fossils are a non-renewable natural energy resource when burnt.
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