Chap 10 - Technology, tools and innovations Flashcards
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).
Energy Efficiency
The maximum population that can survive indefinitely on the available resources and services.
Carrying capacity
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.
photovoltaic
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.
Renewable energy
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.
geothermal energy
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.
resiliency
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.
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)
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).
Geoengineering
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.
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).
This phenomenon results when heat becomes trapped in the Earth’s lower atmosphere and is prevented from escaping into space.
Greenhouse effect
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.
Solar radiation management (SRM)
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.
desalination
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.
Cogeneration
Refers to water that is removed from the environment through either evapotranspiration or consumption.
Consumptive use
Toxic metals, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury have harmful effects on human health when found in large quantities.
Heavy metals
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
Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs)
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.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
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.
Lifecycle thinking
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.
Downcycle
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).
Waste to energy
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.
transmaterialization
Manufacturers use this methodology to improve output quality by defining, measuring, analyzing, improving, and controlling production.
Six Sigma
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
Biomimicry
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.
Permaculture
Introducing microbes and other biological organisms to rehabilitate environmentally contaminated sites.
bioremediation
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.
ABCD Planning method
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.
VISIS
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.
Sustainability compass
A strategic framework used to align business practices with TBL goals, improve stakeholder communications, and monitor performance
Balanced Scorecard
Dr. Robert Kaplan and Dr. David Norton 1992
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.
Lifecycle costing
