Carbon Dioxide equivalent

A measurement for describing how much global warming a given type and amount of greenhouse gas may cause, using the functionally equivalent amount or concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the reference.

Carbon footprint

The amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds emitted into the atmosphere by the activities of an individual, company, country, etc.

Climate Change

Any change in global temperatures and precipitation over time due to natural variability or to human activity.

Ecosystem

A biological system consisting of all the living organisms or biotic components in a particular area and the nonliving or abiotic component with which the organisms interact, such as air, mineral soil, water and sunlight.

Environmental sustainability

The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Greenhouse Gases(GHG)

Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface. They include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (NO2), and water vapor.

Green infrastructure

Strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, working landscapes and other open spaces that conserve ecosystem values and functions and provide associated benefits to human populations.

Indicator

Performance measurement that defines a baseline for initial conditions and allows for comparison over time.

Low impact development

An innovative stormwater management approach with a basic principle that is modeled after nature and mimics a site's predevelopment hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source.

Surface Water Run-off

The water flow that occurs when the soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess water from rain, meltwater, or other sources flows over the land.