An invasive species is a plant, animal or microscopic pathogen that, once transported out of its native range, has established itself, spread and caused harm to the environment, economy or human health in its new habitat.
(PBTs) are chemicals that do not degrade easily in the environment. PBTs typically accumulate in fatty tissues and are slowly metabolized, often increasing in concentration within the food chain. Certain PBTs have been linked to adverse health effects in both humans and animals.
refers to the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of surface and groundwater. These characteristics affect the ability of water to sustain human communities, as well as plant and animal life.
are directly related to a variety of human and ecological needs: agricultural, industrial, domestic and environmental. Human development and the environment depend on adequate supplies of clean water.
—the continuous saltwater bodies that cover more than 70 percent of the earth’s surface—shape its climate, provide a means of transport and are home to an important part of the planet’s biodiversity. —where land meets the sea—provide a wide range of valued goods and services, including fisheries, trade routes, recreation and tourism, oil and gas […]
Industrial pollution and waste encompass the full range of unwanted substances and losses generated by industrial activities, including emissions to air or surface waters and the substances sent to sewage treatment plants, deposited in landfills, released or applied to the land, treated, injected underground, controlled through storage, recycled or burned for energy recovery.
Acid deposition primarily results from the transformation of air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into secondary pollutants such as sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate and nitric acid. Acidic particles and vapors can be deposited on the earth’s surface as acid precipitation (wet deposition) or via particles such as fly ash, sulfates, nitrates, and […]
Ozone is a gas present throughout the earth’s atmosphere. protects life on earth by absorbing harmful rays from the sun as they pass through the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). Because the ozone present at the earth’s surface is detrimental, ozone is often described as being “good up high and bad nearby.”
LEED Project # 0113
“Green electricity” is electricity that has been generated from renewable resources with minimal adverse environmental effects. Thus, it reduces the human health and environmental risks while continuing to provide all of the associated benefits.
This fact sheet is intended to help institutions easily adopt a purchasing program for printers, copiers and fax machines (office equipment) that accounts for social and environmental concerns.
By switching to green cleaners, buyers can avoid cleaning products containing toxic chemicals, thereby avoiding the various environmental and health impacts and risks associated with their manufacture, use and disposal.
