Chap 10 - Technology, tools and innovations

Question 1

This term is defined as getting more output for the energy expended. It can be calculated as the ratio of useful “energy” (the capacity to do work) to total energy expended while performing “work” (defined as the transfer of energy).

Answer 1

Energy Efficiency

Question 2

The maximum population that can survive indefinitely on the available resources and services.

Answer 2

Carrying capacity

Question 3

This technology is used to convert light directly into electricity at the atomic level. When photons of light hit certain types of material, the photoelectric effect causes them to release electrons, resulting in an electric current.

Answer 3

photovoltaic

Question 4

this refers to energy production fueled by resources that nature can replenish at a rate equal to or greater than it is used. “Clean” energy further includes the ability of nature to absorb the emissions created during the life cycle of the fuel.

Answer 4

Renewable energy

Question 5

This type of energy comes from heat generated within the Earth’s crust, where decaying radioactive material contains over 50,000 times more energy than world fossil fuel stores. Both deep well power plants and ground-source heat pumps harness this heat to generate electricity or create more efficient heating and cooling systems for buildings.

Answer 5

geothermal energy

Question 6

This term describes the ability of a system to bounce back—to survive, adapt, and thrive in the face of change. It is a critical element of those complex systems that persevere over time.

Answer 6

resiliency

Question 7

A set of technologies used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it, long-term, deep underground. Designed to reduce the climate impact of gas- and coal-fired power plants.

Answer 7

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)

Question 8

the deliberate large-scale intervention in the Earth’s natural systems to counteract climate change.” Approaches used include Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

Answer 8

Geoengineering

Question 9

Also known as Carbon Engineering, this technology is used to counteract the greenhouse effect and ocean acidification by removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Multiple technologies have been proposed, such as afforestation, biochar, carbon capture, and sequestration.

Answer 9

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

Question 10

This phenomenon results when heat becomes trapped in the Earth’s lower atmosphere and is prevented from escaping into space.

Answer 10

Greenhouse effect

Question 11

Also known as Solar Engineering, this technology is used to reflect the sun’s energy back into space, thus offsetting temperature increases caused by the greenhouse effect. Technologies under consideration include albedo enhancement, space reflectors, and stratospheric aerosols.

Answer 11

Solar radiation management (SRM)

Question 12

This technology uses a process called reverse osmosis (RO) to remove salt and other inorganic impurities from seawater, producing potable water for human consumption and crop irrigation.

Answer 12

desalination

Question 13

Also known as combined heat and power (CHP), this is the process of capturing and using waste heat, a byproduct of burning fuel for electricity.

Answer 13

Cogeneration

Question 14

Refers to water that is removed from the environment through either evapotranspiration or consumption.

Answer 14

Consumptive use

Question 15

Toxic metals, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury have harmful effects on human health when found in large quantities.

Answer 15

Heavy metals

Question 16

These chemical compounds are organic substances that evaporate easily, contributing to the formation of ozone and smog. They are linked to respiratory illnesses and memory impairment

Answer 16

Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs)

Question 17

These chemicals are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and photolytic processes. Over time, they persist, bioaccumulating with potentially significant impacts on human health and the environment.

Answer 17

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Question 18

A term used by sustainability professionals to help managers understand that there is a complete spectrum of impact quantification, with LCA at one end and pure qualitative analysis at the other.

Answer 18

Lifecycle thinking

Question 19

Since materials degrade when used (we know this from entropy, the 2nd law of thermodynamics), when recycled they can only be used as inputs for lower quality products. This term describes this
phenomenon.

Answer 19

Downcycle

Question 20

These landfill management practices involve the process of using discarded materials to generate heat and electricity, rather than allowing it to decay in the landfill. Sometimes referred to as
“recovery” the process is sometimes included as the fourth “R” in waste management (reduce-reuse-recycle-recover).

Answer 20

Waste to energy

Question 21

A term related to industrial ecology, this is the concept of offering a service that satisfies the needs provided otherwise by a product. Providing services instead of products makes it possible to maintain economic growth while reducing resource consumption.

Answer 21

transmaterialization

Question 22

Manufacturers use this methodology to improve output quality by defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling production.

Answer 22

Six Sigma

Question 23

An approach to product design and innovation that emulates nature’s patterns and strategies to find sustainable solutions to human challenges.

Janine Benyus - 1997 book

Answer 23

Biomimicry

Question 24

A combination word derived by combining “permanent” and “agriculture,” this approach to farming uses a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature. Using a systems approachthese techniques were first developed in Australia by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren.

Answer 24

Permaculture

Question 25

Introducing microbes and other biological organisms to rehabilitate environmentally contaminated sites.

Answer 25

bioremediation

Question 26

The Natural Step (TNS) provides a strategic planning tool for sustainable development, based on the work of Karl-Henrik Robert. This tool developed to help plan in complex systems entails four steps: Awareness and visioning, Baseline mapping, Creating solutions, Decide on Priorities.

Answer 26

ABCD Planning method

Question 27

Developed by Alan AtKisson, this methodology provides an iterative process of assessment, analysis, initiative development, and planning toward sustainable development. Planners progress through a series of steps-visioning, indicator development, systems mapping, innovation brain-storming, and strategy development.

Answer 27

VISIS

Question 28

This metaphorical tool helps planners navigate the journey toward sustainability. Used for indicator development, it offers four broad categories for assessment: N = Nature; E = Economy; S = Society; W = Wellbeing.

Answer 28

Sustainability compass

Question 29

A strategic framework used to align business practices with TBL goals, improve stakeholder communications, and monitor performance

Answer 29

Balanced Scorecard
Dr. Robert Kaplan and Dr. David Norton 1992

Question 30

This refers to the practice of looking at the relative benefits and drawbacks of a given financial decision based on a full range of related expenditures over the long-term. Capital outlays, operating expenses, and disposal fees are all included in such an analysis.

Answer 30

Lifecycle costing