Glossary
Biomass Energy
Energy generated by burning organic matter like wood, crops, or waste to produce heat, which is then converted into electricity or used directly. It is considered a renewable energy source.
Example:
A power plant burns biomass energy from agricultural waste like corn stalks to generate electricity for a local town.
Carbon Cycle
The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth.
Example:
Photosynthesis by plants removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a crucial role in the carbon cycle.
Carbon Neutrality
A state where the net amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is zero, meaning any carbon emissions are balanced by carbon removal or sequestration.
Example:
A company achieves carbon neutrality by investing in renewable energy and planting enough trees to offset all its operational emissions.
Deforestation
The clearing of forests for other land uses, often leading to significant environmental damage such as habitat loss, soil erosion, and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Example:
Extensive logging for timber and agricultural expansion in the Amazon rainforest has led to widespread deforestation, threatening countless species.
Energy Return on Investment (EROI)
A ratio that compares the amount of energy obtained from an energy source to the amount of energy expended to produce and deliver that energy. A higher EROI indicates greater efficiency.
Example:
If it takes 1 unit of energy to extract and process oil that yields 15 units of energy, its EROI is 15:1, indicating a good net energy gain.
Ethanol
An alcohol fuel typically produced from fermented plant materials like corn or sugarcane, used as a substitute for gasoline in vehicles.
Example:
Many gasoline blends in the United States contain up to 10% ethanol to reduce reliance on pure petroleum.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
Everyday discarded items from residential, commercial, and institutional sources, often referred to as garbage, which can be incinerated for energy.
Example:
Sorting recyclables from general trash helps reduce the volume of municipal solid waste that ends up in landfills or waste-to-energy incinerators.
Organic Matter
Material derived from living or once-living organisms, containing carbon-based compounds. It serves as the fuel source for biomass energy.
Example:
Leaves, branches, and food scraps collected from a garden are all forms of organic matter that could potentially be used for composting or biomass.
Particulates
Tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air, often released during combustion, which can cause respiratory problems and reduce visibility.
Example:
Smoke from wildfires contains high levels of particulates that can travel long distances and impact air quality in distant cities.
Renewable Resource
A natural resource that can be replenished or regenerated over a relatively short period of time, either naturally or through sustainable management.
Example:
Solar power is a renewable resource because the sun's energy is continuously available, unlike finite fossil fuels.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature, easily evaporating into the atmosphere and contributing to air pollution and smog formation.
Example:
The distinct smell of new paint or gasoline is often due to the release of volatile organic compounds into the air.