Key Terms
income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. (U.S. EPA) ▶ Fossil Fuels: An energy source formed in the Earth’s crust from decayed organic material. Conventional fossil fuels include petroleum, natural gas, and coal. (US Energy Information Administration Glossary) ▶ Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy is heat energy from the earth – Geo (earth) + thermal (heat). Wells, ranging from a few feet to several miles deep, can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that can be brought to the surface for use in a variety of applications, including electricity generation, direct use, and heating and cooling. (US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) ▶ Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse gases trap heat and make the planet warmer. Human activities are responsible for almost all of the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere over the last 150 years. The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. (US EPA) The most prevalent and major greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide. ▶ LEED Buildings: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social, and governance benefits. (US Green Building Council) ▶ Net-Zero: A target of completely negating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by human activity, to be achieved by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. ▶ Renewable Energy: Energy that is produced from sources such as geothermal, solar, and wind, which are naturally replenished and do not emit greenhouse gas emissions during operation. ▶ Scope 1 Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions from sources that are owned or
▶ Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS): A transparent, self-reporting framework for over 600 colleges and universities to measure their sustainable
controlled by the University. University-owned infrastructure and assets including vehicles, equipment, stationary sources (e.g., campus district energy system/central steam plant), and fugitive emissions from refrigeration are examples of Scope 1 emissions. ▶ Scope 2 Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the generation of electricity, heat, or steam purchased by the University. Purchased electricity, heating/ cooling, and steam are examples of Scope 2 emissions. ▶ Scope 3 Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions from sources not owned or directly controlled by the University but related to University activities. Examples of Scope 3 emissions include transmission and distribution losses (electricity), University air travel, employee and student commutes, investments, contracted solid waste, contracted wastewater, and use of sold products. There are currently 15 categories that fall under Scope 3 emissions. Scope 3 emissions are the most difficult to quantify, measure, and manage. ▶ Sustainability: Sustainability addresses “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (UN Brundtland Commission, 1987), and includes three pillars: environment, economy and equity. - Environmental Sustainability includes conserving natural resources and protecting global ecosystems, now and in the future. - Economic Sustainability supports long-term economic prosperity without negatively impacting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of a community. - Equity/Social Sustainability relates to the fair treatment and involvement of all people. All people should have similar rights and opportunities, and have their basic needs met to maintain an acceptable quality of life. Inter-generational equity balances meeting current needs while also considering the needs of future generations.
▶ Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE): AASHE empowers higher education faculty, administrators, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. ▶ Biodiversity: Short for biological diversity, biodiversity is the variety of all living things in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. ▶ Climate Justice: Acknowledges climate change can have disproportionately harmful social, economic, and public health impacts on disinvested populations (e.g. marginalized and historically excluded populations). (Yale Climate Connections) ▶ Climate Mitigation: Efforts and measures to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions from entering the Earth’s atmosphere. Mitigation efforts also include the decarbonization of infrastructure and operations of a given entity. ▶ Climate Resilience: The ability to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to climate change- related impacts, including more frequent and severe weather events, prolonged droughts, high severity wildfires, and extreme heat. (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions) ▶ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are all core to CWU’s values and mission to increase access to higher education for everyone regardless of identity. At CWU we work to ensure everyone’s voice is not only heard, but recognized and valued. CWU consistently strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and forward-thinking institution for all employees, students, and community members. ▶ Earth Charter: A document with sixteen principles that drive a global movement towards a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. (Earth Charter) ▶ Environmental Justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or
performance via the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
▶ Sustainable Procurement: Ensuring that the goods, products, and services a higher education institution purchases are as sustainable as possible, with the lowest environmental impact and most positive social results (United Nations Development Program). ▶ United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) ▶ Waste Diversion: Minimizing solid waste generation through source reduction, recycling, reuse, or composting. Waste diversion reduces disposal costs, the burden on landfills, and reduces methane emissions (US EPA).
To access additional information regarding sustainability and climate change solutions at Central Washington University, please visit cwu.edu/sustainability or email sustainability@cwu.edu .
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