Sustainable Living Glossary
25 essential terms — because precise language is the foundation of clear thinking in Sustainable Living.
Showing 25 of 25 terms
The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or activity, expressed in CO2 equivalents.
Funding projects that reduce or remove CO2 to compensate for personal emissions.
An economic system that eliminates waste through continuous cycles of reuse, repair, and recycling.
A system where consumers buy shares of a local farm's harvest in advance.
The biological decomposition of organic waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment.
The biologically productive area required to sustain a person's consumption and absorb their waste.
A vehicle powered by electric motors and rechargeable batteries, producing zero tailpipe emissions.
An assessment identifying where energy is wasted in a building and recommending efficiency improvements.
The distance food travels from production to consumer, one factor in food's environmental impact.
Wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry that can be treated and reused for non-potable purposes.
Light-emitting diode technology using 75% less energy and lasting 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Networks prioritizing geographically proximate food production, processing, and distribution.
A lifestyle of intentionally owning fewer possessions and prioritizing experiences over material goods.
Growing food without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, using natural methods for soil health and pest control.
A design system for sustainable habitats modeled on natural ecosystem patterns and relationships.
Deliberately designing products with limited lifespans to stimulate repeat purchases.
A dietary pattern centered on foods derived from plants with minimal or no animal products.
Collecting and storing roof runoff for non-potable uses like irrigation and toilet flushing.
Energy from naturally replenishing sources: solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass.
A movement advocating for consumer access to repair information, tools, and parts to extend product lifespans.
Low-emission travel modes including walking, cycling, public transit, and electric vehicles.
Growing food in urban environments using rooftops, community plots, balconies, and vertical systems.
A lifestyle choice to limit material consumption and focus on non-material sources of fulfillment.
Reducing water use through efficient fixtures, behavioral changes, and water reuse systems.
A philosophy aiming to eliminate waste sent to landfills through refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot.