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From Environmental Technology

Current revision as of 23:03, 31 January 2006

Ecological Footprint

http://www.sustaindane.org/main/EF1.htm

Definition "The Ecological Footprint is a measure of the 'load' imposed by a given population on nature. It represents the land area necessary to sustain current levels of resource consumption and waste discharge by that population."

Renewable Resources

http://www.envirogen.net/aternative-energy-green-def.html

Renewable Resources The generation of electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, blomass and hydroelectric sources. A resource is renewable if it is naturally replenished. Renewable generation sources have lower environmental impacts than traditional non-renewables sources.

environmental sustainability

sustainable development

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&defl=en&q=define:Sustainable+development

Managing the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing and for their health and safety while www.tasmaniatogether.tas.gov.au/tastog_original/tt_glossary.html

Enviromentalism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmentalism

It is a social movement which seeks to influence the political process by lobbying, education, activism and setting an example in order to protect natural resources and ecosystems. Some of the issues of concern for the environmental movement are pollution, species extinction, waste reduction, recycling, the threat of global warming and ozone depletion, and genetically engineered foods.

emission reductions credits

http://www.evomarkets.com/emissions/index.php?xp1=erc Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs) are required for new major emission sources, or sources undergoing major expansions, by various state air agencies in regions that do not meet the EPA's national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Offsets are available for a variety of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and reactive organic gases (ROG). ERCs are a concern for developers of new electric generation facilities or major industrial plant developers such as steel mills, chemical refineries, paper plants, arc furnaces, etc.

enviromental ethics

http://www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/~floridi/ie.htm A shorter version of this paper was given at ETHICOMP98 The Fourth International Conference on Ethical Issues of Information Technology, Erasmus University, The Netherlands, 25 to 27 March 1998, hosted by the Department of Philosophy Erasmus University, The Netherlands, in association with Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility De Montfort University, UK, Research Center on Computing and Society Southern Connecticut State University, USA, East Tennessee State University, USA.

enviromental impact statement

http://law.freeadvice.com/government_law/environmental/environmental_impact_statement.htm

The EIS picks up where the environmental assessment report left off. Prepared internally by the federal agency or contracted to an outside firm, it more rigorously both the positive and negative impact the federal project can reasonably have on the environment. The report covers a myriad of federal projects – constructing oil refineries, large reservoirs, urban renewal, offshore drilling, highways, sewage treatment plants, dams, etc. It identifies the direct and indirect foreseeable effects, the conflicts with local or state policies. The report must include the objections of other federal, state, and local agencies, special interest organizations and the public which were received during the review process. The agency must explain where its information came from and how it arrived at its conclusions.

earth day

http://www.earthsite.org/day.htm When I first conceived of Earth Day, a global holiday to celebrate the wonder of life on our planet, I thought long and hard about the day on which it should fall. It must be meaningful. One that might be accepted universally for all of humankind.

When the Vernal Equinox dawned on me, I immediately knew it was right. The Earth tremor that shook our California dwelling at that moment seemed an omen of confirmation. What could be more appropriate than the first moment of Spring, when day and night are equal around the world and hearts and minds can join together with thoughts of harmony and Earth's rejuvenation. Just as a single prayer can be siginificant, how much more so when hundreds, thousands, millions of people throughout the world join in peaceful thoughts and prayers to nurture neighbor and nature.

And so it came to pass we initiated the celebration of Earth Day on March 21, 1970. The first Proclamation of Earth Day was by San Francisco, the City of Saint Francis, patron saint of ecology. Designating the First Day of Spring, March 21, 1970 to be Earth Day, this day of nature's equipoise was later sanctioned in a Proclamation signed by Secretary General U Thant at the United Nations where it is observed each year. Earth Day was firmly established for all time on a sound basis as an annual event to deepen reverence and care for life on our planet.

While other dates have been called Earth Day it is obvious that a singular Earth Day is needed and that the original choice of nature's day is best. More attention for this fact will increase the influence of Earth Day and its benefits.

Every effort to encourage Earth care is to be commended. But just as more than one birthday each year for an individual would diminish the real birthday, calling other dates Earth Day detracts from the authentic day -- which can provide a more meaningful focus and obtain more unity in our diversity. The nature of the March equinox provides a reason for an event at the same time all over the world.

Other events leading up to or following could be called Earth Festivals, or given other names. Then events can complement each other and increase awareness and care for our planet and its people. In the midst of this will be Earth Day, where the United Nations Peace Bell rings at the moment Spring begins and hearts and minds join all over the world.

To read more about the history of Earthday click here.

Chernobyl

http://www.chernobyl.co.uk/ Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster On April 25th -26th, 1986 the World's worst nuclear power accident occurred at Chernobyl in the former USSR (now Ukraine). The Chernobyl nuclear power plant located 80 miles north of Kiev had 4 reactors and whilst testing reactor number 4 numerous safety procedures were disregarded. At 1:23am the chain reaction in the reactor became out of control creating explosions and a fireball which blew off the reactor's heavy steel and concrete lid.

The Chernobyl accident killed more than 30 people immediately, and as a result of the high radiation levels in the surrounding 20-mile radius, 135,00 people had to be evacuated.