Glossary

Carbon neutral: Adding no new carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere; balancing the amount of carbon dioxide produced from activities like driving a car or producing electricity with an equal amount offset by planting trees (which use CO2), supporting renewable energy from solar and wind.

Emissions: Gases and particles released into air and water from various sources, often associated with burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil

Kilowatt-hour: 1 kWh equals 10 100-watt bulbs all burning at the same time for one hour.

Greenhouse gases: Vapors such as water, ozone, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide that reflect solar radiation back to Earth and are linked to global warming; sources include forest fires, gasoline-fueled cars, coal-fired power plants and natural gas flares.

LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a set of design standards for energy efficient and sustainable building practices established by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council; existing and new buildings can earn certified, silver, gold or platinum ratings.

Therms: Unit of measure for natural gas and a heating value equivalent to 100,000 British Thermal Units (a BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit).