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Chapter 13 - The Environment
Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
air pollution - Contamination of air by any gases, particles, biological organisms, or other substances that are harmful to people or the environment.
B
brownfields - Buildings, land, or anything affixed to land, the reuse, redevelopment, or expansion of which may be affected by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance.
C
climate change - The shift in climate towards more frequent extreme weather events such as intense heat waves and powerful storms.
E
e-waste - Discarded electronic equipment or devices.
environmental injustice - The condition in which lower-income persons and other groups are relatively powerless to ensure themselves a healthy environment and are more likely to be exposed to environmental hazards.
environmental racism - The condition in which racial or ethnic minorities are relatively powerless to ensure themselves a healthy environment and are more likely to be exposed to environmental hazards.
excessive individualism - Continuously putting selfish personal desires and interests above community welfare, including nature’s collective resources and the environment.
G
global warming - The slow but steady warming of the Earth’s land, oceans, and atmosphere.
green technology - Technology that allows us to access green energy, energy that is renewable and does not cause pollution.
greenhouse effect - Warming of the Earth caused by solar radiation being trapped by greenhouse gases rather than being reflected into space.
H
hazardous waste - Waste that poses a threat to people or the environment.
L
land pollution - The placement on or into land of any material or substances that are harmful to people or the environment, or render the land difficult or impossible to use.
M
materialist consumerism - The cultural belief that obtaining prized material possessions is essential to high self-esteem.
S
sustainable development - Using resources to promote human welfare in ways that protect the environment and allow it to support human development indefinitely.
