environmental impact
Nature's burden carried
Environmental impact refers to the effect that human activity has on the natural world—pollution, habitat destruction, resource depletion, climate change.
The term appears constantly in policy discussions and corporate messaging: The environmental impact of the new factory worried residents.
An environmental impact assessment evaluates potential consequences before a project begins.
Emissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- emissionsSubstances released into air
sea level rise · ice melt · ozone depletion · deforestation · coral bleaching · ocean acidification · drought · floods
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
erosion · degradation · desertification · deforestation · overfishing · resource depletion · oil spill · toxic waste
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- renewable energySelf-replenishing natural power
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
composting · restoration · reforestation · carbon offset · carbon neutral · zero waste · eco-friendly · green technology
Total greenhouse gases produced
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- lifecycleStages from beginning to end
- consumptionUsing up of resources
- water usageAmount of liquid consumed
land use · supply chain · transportation · packaging · disposable · single-use · food miles · fast fashion
Italian exclamation of joy
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- scopingDefining limits or extent
- baselineStandard for comparison
- mitigationReduction of severity
monitoring · compliance · regulation · legislation · policy · planning · public participation · consultation
greenhouse gases
Emissions that trap heat
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
emissions · sea level rise · ice melt · ozone depletion · deforestation · coral bleaching · ocean acidification · drought · floods · storms
pollution
Environmental harm from waste
- contaminationIntroduction of impurities
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
- biodiversity lossReduction in species variety
extinction · erosion · degradation · desertification · deforestation · overfishing · resource depletion · oil spill · toxic waste · eutrophication
sustainability
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- renewable energySelf-replenishing natural power
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
biodegradable · composting · restoration · reforestation · carbon offset · carbon neutral · zero waste · eco-friendly · green technology · solar
carbon footprint
Total greenhouse gases produced
- emissionsSubstances released into air
- lifecycleStages from beginning to end
- consumptionUsing up of resources
water usage · land use · supply chain · transportation · packaging · disposable · single-use · food miles · fast fashion · e-waste
EIA
Italian exclamation of joy
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- scopingDefining limits or extent
- baselineStandard for comparison
mitigation · monitoring · compliance · regulation · legislation · policy · planning · public participation · consultation · stakeholders
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- environmentair pollution, ecology, clean air, biosphere, air quality
- petroleumcrude oil, crude, petroleum, oil wells, oil fields
- Environmental Engineeringair pollution, bioremediation, emissions control, hazardous waste, pollution control
- Environmental Healthair pollution, water pollution, toxic exposure, hazardous waste, emissions
- Environmental Policyclimate policy, Clean Air Act, conservation policy, Clean Water Act, emissions standards
environmental impactenvironmental restoration
Repairing degraded natural systems
habitat restoration · rewilding · carbon sequestration · bioremediation · reforestation
impact, environment, environmental, impacts, impacted, impacting, impactful, environments, environmentalist