LEED Certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a certification to recognize and encourage building practices and strategies to be more sustainable and respect the environment. Between residential and commercial, there are different levels of being LEED certified. Many are government regulated, but every building should work to be as green and efficient as possible!
Renewable Energy/Resource
This energy is derived from sources that are not depleted when energy is used. Power, wind, solar energy are all renewable sources- by using them we do not diminish their life.
ewable resource because we do not cut down any trees in our production process. Unlike bamboo, that has to cut down their trees and leaves; our products will continue to produce as long as our trees live. So we want to keep them growing healthy and hearty for as long as possible. They naturally shed 4-6 times a year, our farmers collect the leaf sheaths and bam- that’s how we use a renewable resource to spread sustainable practices!
Sustainability
One of our favorite concepts here at Elay! Sustainability is a simple concept, our current generation needs to meet its demands without compromising the world for future generations. Its impact is widespread from finding ways to replenish consumed foods on a daily basis around the world to making sure you carry around your water bottle with you!
Sustainability can be as big or small of a concept as you want it to be in your life- you can have a sustainable diet, a sustainable workout routine, a sustainable relationship with your roommates or you can go all out and live a zero waste, sustainable life! It means reducing our human-made impact on the planet to allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful Earth!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about VOCs before, but if not no worries! That’s what we are here for. They are organic, carbon-based compounds that easily transform into vapor or gas. Tons of products emit VOCs when used- oils, paints, natural gasses, glues, etc. VOCs impact air quality, inside and outside, most air quality alerts are due to smog from VOCs. There are numerous health effects as well as environmental consequences to emittings VOCs into our ozone layer.
Now that you are equipped with some definitions to start you out, here comes the fun part! Keep learning, educating oneself goes beyond just memorizing a few definitions or some fancy words. The most important part is taking what you have learned and applying it to your life!
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a certification to recognize and encourage building practices and strategies to be more sustainable and respect the environment. Between residential and commercial, there are different levels of being LEED certified. Many are government regulated, but every building should work to be as green and efficient as possible!
Renewable Energy/Resource
This energy is derived from sources that are not depleted when energy is used. Power, wind, solar energy are all renewable sources- by using them we do not diminish their life.
ewable resource because we do not cut down any trees in our production process. Unlike bamboo, that has to cut down their trees and leaves; our products will continue to produce as long as our trees live. So we want to keep them growing healthy and hearty for as long as possible. They naturally shed 4-6 times a year, our farmers collect the leaf sheaths and bam- that’s how we use a renewable resource to spread sustainable practices!
Sustainability
One of our favorite concepts here at Elay! Sustainability is a simple concept, our current generation needs to meet its demands without compromising the world for future generations. Its impact is widespread from finding ways to replenish consumed foods on a daily basis around the world to making sure you carry around your water bottle with you!
Sustainability can be as big or small of a concept as you want it to be in your life- you can have a sustainable diet, a sustainable workout routine, a sustainable relationship with your roommates or you can go all out and live a zero waste, sustainable life! It means reducing our human-made impact on the planet to allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful Earth!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about VOCs before, but if not no worries! That’s what we are here for. They are organic, carbon-based compounds that easily transform into vapor or gas. Tons of products emit VOCs when used- oils, paints, natural gasses, glues, etc. VOCs impact air quality, inside and outside, most air quality alerts are due to smog from VOCs. There are numerous health effects as well as environmental consequences to emittings VOCs into our ozone layer.
Now that you are equipped with some definitions to start you out, here comes the fun part! Keep learning, educating oneself goes beyond just memorizing a few definitions or some fancy words. The most important part is taking what you have learned and applying it to your life!
LEED Certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a certification to recognize and encourage building practices and strategies to be more sustainable and respect the environment. Between residential and commercial, there are different levels of being LEED certified. Many are government regulated, but every building should work to be as green and efficient as possible!
Renewable Energy/Resource
This energy is derived from sources that are not depleted when energy is used. Power, wind, solar energy are all renewable sources- by using them we do not diminish their life.
ewable resource because we do not cut down any trees in our production process. Unlike bamboo, that has to cut down their trees and leaves; our products will continue to produce as long as our trees live. So we want to keep them growing healthy and hearty for as long as possible. They naturally shed 4-6 times a year, our farmers collect the leaf sheaths and bam- that’s how we use a renewable resource to spread sustainable practices!
Sustainability
One of our favorite concepts here at Elay! Sustainability is a simple concept, our current generation needs to meet its demands without compromising the world for future generations. Its impact is widespread from finding ways to replenish consumed foods on a daily basis around the world to making sure you carry around your water bottle with you!
Sustainability can be as big or small of a concept as you want it to be in your life- you can have a sustainable diet, a sustainable workout routine, a sustainable relationship with your roommates or you can go all out and live a zero waste, sustainable life! It means reducing our human-made impact on the planet to allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful Earth!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about VOCs before, but if not no worries! That’s what we are here for. They are organic, carbon-based compounds that easily transform into vapor or gas. Tons of products emit VOCs when used- oils, paints, natural gasses, glues, etc. VOCs impact air quality, inside and outside, most air quality alerts are due to smog from VOCs. There are numerous health effects as well as environmental consequences to emittings VOCs into our ozone layer.
Now that you are equipped with some definitions to start you out, here comes the fun part! Keep learning, educating oneself goes beyond just memorizing a few definitions or some fancy words. The most important part is taking what you have learned and applying it to your life!
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a certification to recognize and encourage building practices and strategies to be more sustainable and respect the environment. Between residential and commercial, there are different levels of being LEED certified. Many are government regulated, but every building should work to be as green and efficient as possible!
Renewable Energy/Resource
This energy is derived from sources that are not depleted when energy is used. Power, wind, solar energy are all renewable sources- by using them we do not diminish their life.
ewable resource because we do not cut down any trees in our production process. Unlike bamboo, that has to cut down their trees and leaves; our products will continue to produce as long as our trees live. So we want to keep them growing healthy and hearty for as long as possible. They naturally shed 4-6 times a year, our farmers collect the leaf sheaths and bam- that’s how we use a renewable resource to spread sustainable practices!
Sustainability
One of our favorite concepts here at Elay! Sustainability is a simple concept, our current generation needs to meet its demands without compromising the world for future generations. Its impact is widespread from finding ways to replenish consumed foods on a daily basis around the world to making sure you carry around your water bottle with you!
Sustainability can be as big or small of a concept as you want it to be in your life- you can have a sustainable diet, a sustainable workout routine, a sustainable relationship with your roommates or you can go all out and live a zero waste, sustainable life! It means reducing our human-made impact on the planet to allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful Earth!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about VOCs before, but if not no worries! That’s what we are here for. They are organic, carbon-based compounds that easily transform into vapor or gas. Tons of products emit VOCs when used- oils, paints, natural gasses, glues, etc. VOCs impact air quality, inside and outside, most air quality alerts are due to smog from VOCs. There are numerous health effects as well as environmental consequences to emittings VOCs into our ozone layer.
Now that you are equipped with some definitions to start you out, here comes the fun part! Keep learning, educating oneself goes beyond just memorizing a few definitions or some fancy words. The most important part is taking what you have learned and applying it to your life!
LEED Certification
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a certification to recognize and encourage building practices and strategies to be more sustainable and respect the environment. Between residential and commercial, there are different levels of being LEED certified. Many are government regulated, but every building should work to be as green and efficient as possible!
Renewable Energy/Resource
This energy is derived from sources that are not depleted when energy is used. Power, wind, solar energy are all renewable sources- by using them we do not diminish their life.
ewable resource because we do not cut down any trees in our production process. Unlike bamboo, that has to cut down their trees and leaves; our products will continue to produce as long as our trees live. So we want to keep them growing healthy and hearty for as long as possible. They naturally shed 4-6 times a year, our farmers collect the leaf sheaths and bam- that’s how we use a renewable resource to spread sustainable practices!
Sustainability
One of our favorite concepts here at Elay! Sustainability is a simple concept, our current generation needs to meet its demands without compromising the world for future generations. Its impact is widespread from finding ways to replenish consumed foods on a daily basis around the world to making sure you carry around your water bottle with you!
Sustainability can be as big or small of a concept as you want it to be in your life- you can have a sustainable diet, a sustainable workout routine, a sustainable relationship with your roommates or you can go all out and live a zero waste, sustainable life! It means reducing our human-made impact on the planet to allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful Earth!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about VOCs before, but if not no worries! That’s what we are here for. They are organic, carbon-based compounds that easily transform into vapor or gas. Tons of products emit VOCs when used- oils, paints, natural gasses, glues, etc. VOCs impact air quality, inside and outside, most air quality alerts are due to smog from VOCs. There are numerous health effects as well as environmental consequences to emittings VOCs into our ozone layer.
Now that you are equipped with some definitions to start you out, here comes the fun part! Keep learning, educating oneself goes beyond just memorizing a few definitions or some fancy words. The most important part is taking what you have learned and applying it to your life!
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a certification to recognize and encourage building practices and strategies to be more sustainable and respect the environment. Between residential and commercial, there are different levels of being LEED certified. Many are government regulated, but every building should work to be as green and efficient as possible!
Renewable Energy/Resource
This energy is derived from sources that are not depleted when energy is used. Power, wind, solar energy are all renewable sources- by using them we do not diminish their life.
ewable resource because we do not cut down any trees in our production process. Unlike bamboo, that has to cut down their trees and leaves; our products will continue to produce as long as our trees live. So we want to keep them growing healthy and hearty for as long as possible. They naturally shed 4-6 times a year, our farmers collect the leaf sheaths and bam- that’s how we use a renewable resource to spread sustainable practices!
Sustainability
One of our favorite concepts here at Elay! Sustainability is a simple concept, our current generation needs to meet its demands without compromising the world for future generations. Its impact is widespread from finding ways to replenish consumed foods on a daily basis around the world to making sure you carry around your water bottle with you!
Sustainability can be as big or small of a concept as you want it to be in your life- you can have a sustainable diet, a sustainable workout routine, a sustainable relationship with your roommates or you can go all out and live a zero waste, sustainable life! It means reducing our human-made impact on the planet to allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful Earth!
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about VOCs before, but if not no worries! That’s what we are here for. They are organic, carbon-based compounds that easily transform into vapor or gas. Tons of products emit VOCs when used- oils, paints, natural gasses, glues, etc. VOCs impact air quality, inside and outside, most air quality alerts are due to smog from VOCs. There are numerous health effects as well as environmental consequences to emittings VOCs into our ozone layer.
Now that you are equipped with some definitions to start you out, here comes the fun part! Keep learning, educating oneself goes beyond just memorizing a few definitions or some fancy words. The most important part is taking what you have learned and applying it to your life!
Carbon Footprint
Every person has a carbon footprint! One’s carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases generated in order to support their life. Specifically, it is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by one person or group. So when I go to the store, I don’t just consider my transportation there and back. I consider the greenhouse gases used for the farming, packaging, transporting of all my grocery items.
Calculate your carbon footprint here! Knowing what your carbon footprint is can help you reduce it- look at some of the main contributors in your life.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
This brought me back to the AP Biology days. CFCs are organic compounds that have only 3 ingredients 1) carbon 2) fluorine and 3) chlorine. CFCs are non-toxic, nonflammable chemicals and are used for manufacturing aerosol sprays, packing materials, or solvents.
CFCs not only endanger our ozone level on a global level, but they can also cause a variety of health issues affecting one’s heart, lungs, liver, nervous system, and kidneys.
Degradable:
This is not to be confused with biodegradable- degradable refers to a material that breaks down through chemical reactions rather than from microorganisms. Chemical additives are used from plastics to make the material crumble more than it would naturally. These take quite a bit longer to break down than biodegradable items and are not compostable!
Dematerialization:
This refers to the concept of doing more with less- something we at Elay think about quite a bit. This requires reducing the amount of materials used for specific functions such as printing- so much can now be done virtually and online that printing paper is not a necessity.
Emissions:
You are probably familiar with “greenhouse gas emissions” or “carbon emissions,” what do those mean? Emissions are a byproduct of human activity, so no you don’t want a lot of this. More specifically, it is the gases and particles one puts into the air, something that can be released into the open. There’s tons and tons of types of emissions - exhaust, perfect combustion, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, the list can go on and go. Be mindful of your emissions and find ways to reduce these and live more naturally.
Fair Trade:
Fair Trade is an arrangement designed to help products in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Since the Industrial Revolution and globalization, it has become easy for superpower countries to cheaply outsource labor and materials without abiding by the work laws their country has.
Our manufacturers and producers in India are members of the fair trade movement, adding payment of higher prices to exporters to help improve social and environmental standards. Growers and producers deserve fair prices and opportunities for their products and goods.
Fossil Fuel:
A fossil fuel is any hydrocarbon deposit used for fuel like oil, coal or natural gas. They are called “fossil” fuels because they take many many years to be created in the natural environment. They are formed by natural processes
The four main fossil fuels are petroleum, coal, natural gas and orimulsion- none of which would be considered “green.” They are made from fossilized and buried remains of plants and animals lived millions of years ago meaning fossil fuels have a very high carbon content!
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMOs are organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) in which their genetic material, their DNA, has been altered in a way that is not natural like mating or natural recombination. Instead their DNA is spliced with that of another living organism, virus or bacteria in hopes of creating better crops, livestock, or disease resistance. When thinking about the food we eat, I would prefer to eat something that has not been artificially altered by introducing genes not natural to the food life I am eating.
Greenhouse Gasses
Greenhouse gasses refer to all the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect (climate change). They trap the sun’s UV rays and heat in our atmosphere and prevent the warmth from leaving the atmosphere back into space. We need them to keep Earth warm, but with industrialization and the current way we are moving, we have far too many greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gasses include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, CFCs, HFCs, and PFCs and well as sulfur hexafluoride!
Global Climate Change
Refers to the gradual but imminent increase in the Earth’s average temperature, caused largely by Greenhouse Gasses- a result of excess levels of pollutants in the atmosphere. Earth’s increase in temperature is due to anthropogenic (human) activity. Global climate change is also referred to as global warming.
Greenwashing
Unfortunately, this happens a lot with businesses in the current world. Organizations and businesses try to look like they are environmentally conscious citizens who are taking responsible action, but they are in fact, not! I bet if businesses put as much time, energy and money into appearing green as they would to adopting green policies, they’d actually save quite a bit!
Every person has a carbon footprint! One’s carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases generated in order to support their life. Specifically, it is the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by one person or group. So when I go to the store, I don’t just consider my transportation there and back. I consider the greenhouse gases used for the farming, packaging, transporting of all my grocery items.
Calculate your carbon footprint here! Knowing what your carbon footprint is can help you reduce it- look at some of the main contributors in your life.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
This brought me back to the AP Biology days. CFCs are organic compounds that have only 3 ingredients 1) carbon 2) fluorine and 3) chlorine. CFCs are non-toxic, nonflammable chemicals and are used for manufacturing aerosol sprays, packing materials, or solvents.
CFCs not only endanger our ozone level on a global level, but they can also cause a variety of health issues affecting one’s heart, lungs, liver, nervous system, and kidneys.
Degradable:
This is not to be confused with biodegradable- degradable refers to a material that breaks down through chemical reactions rather than from microorganisms. Chemical additives are used from plastics to make the material crumble more than it would naturally. These take quite a bit longer to break down than biodegradable items and are not compostable!
Dematerialization:
This refers to the concept of doing more with less- something we at Elay think about quite a bit. This requires reducing the amount of materials used for specific functions such as printing- so much can now be done virtually and online that printing paper is not a necessity.
Emissions:
You are probably familiar with “greenhouse gas emissions” or “carbon emissions,” what do those mean? Emissions are a byproduct of human activity, so no you don’t want a lot of this. More specifically, it is the gases and particles one puts into the air, something that can be released into the open. There’s tons and tons of types of emissions - exhaust, perfect combustion, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, the list can go on and go. Be mindful of your emissions and find ways to reduce these and live more naturally.
Fair Trade:
Fair Trade is an arrangement designed to help products in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Since the Industrial Revolution and globalization, it has become easy for superpower countries to cheaply outsource labor and materials without abiding by the work laws their country has.
Our manufacturers and producers in India are members of the fair trade movement, adding payment of higher prices to exporters to help improve social and environmental standards. Growers and producers deserve fair prices and opportunities for their products and goods.
Fossil Fuel:
A fossil fuel is any hydrocarbon deposit used for fuel like oil, coal or natural gas. They are called “fossil” fuels because they take many many years to be created in the natural environment. They are formed by natural processes
The four main fossil fuels are petroleum, coal, natural gas and orimulsion- none of which would be considered “green.” They are made from fossilized and buried remains of plants and animals lived millions of years ago meaning fossil fuels have a very high carbon content!
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMOs are organisms (plants, animals, microorganisms) in which their genetic material, their DNA, has been altered in a way that is not natural like mating or natural recombination. Instead their DNA is spliced with that of another living organism, virus or bacteria in hopes of creating better crops, livestock, or disease resistance. When thinking about the food we eat, I would prefer to eat something that has not been artificially altered by introducing genes not natural to the food life I am eating.
Greenhouse Gasses
Greenhouse gasses refer to all the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect (climate change). They trap the sun’s UV rays and heat in our atmosphere and prevent the warmth from leaving the atmosphere back into space. We need them to keep Earth warm, but with industrialization and the current way we are moving, we have far too many greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse gasses include carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, CFCs, HFCs, and PFCs and well as sulfur hexafluoride!
Global Climate Change
Refers to the gradual but imminent increase in the Earth’s average temperature, caused largely by Greenhouse Gasses- a result of excess levels of pollutants in the atmosphere. Earth’s increase in temperature is due to anthropogenic (human) activity. Global climate change is also referred to as global warming.
Greenwashing
Unfortunately, this happens a lot with businesses in the current world. Organizations and businesses try to look like they are environmentally conscious citizens who are taking responsible action, but they are in fact, not! I bet if businesses put as much time, energy and money into appearing green as they would to adopting green policies, they’d actually save quite a bit!
SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES, FACTS AND STUDIES ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Come to the Green Living Blog to read about trending news in science, interesting facts, and scientific articles. We're here to help you learn about the science behind the environment, climate change, sustainability, and to help you catch up on the latest research and trends. Whether you're looking for a quick read article or you'd like more in-depth information- we've got it all right here!
We believe change comes with learning - our mission is to enable our community to live more conscious and eco-friendly lives. With this blog's resources and information about Earth Sciences- Environmental Science, Ecology, Climate Science, Materials and Sustainability, you'll have the resources you need to make informed decisions. In the modern day and age, it is easy to make uninformed purchasing decisions with large corporations, online shopping and mass production. It is our duty to be socially responsible citizens who make environmentally conscious decisions. We must be the ones who protect our planet!
We believe change comes with learning - our mission is to enable our community to live more conscious and eco-friendly lives. With this blog's resources and information about Earth Sciences- Environmental Science, Ecology, Climate Science, Materials and Sustainability, you'll have the resources you need to make informed decisions. In the modern day and age, it is easy to make uninformed purchasing decisions with large corporations, online shopping and mass production. It is our duty to be socially responsible citizens who make environmentally conscious decisions. We must be the ones who protect our planet!