environmental engineering

off the grid

Buildings that are not connected to an off-site energy facility.

environmental engineer

This type of engineer uses the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems.

renewable

A natural resource that can be replaced by a natural process.

energy-plus

Buildings that produce a surplus of energy.

ecosystem

A community of living things and environment in which they live.

air pollutant

A known substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment.

passive solar

Designs that do not incorporate electrical devices.

green design

Environmentally sustainable design that minimizes human impact.

native species

A species that originated and developed in its surrounding habitat and has adapted to living in that particular environment.

active solar

Designs that rely on the use of mechanical or electrical devices to convert sunlight into electricity.

non-renewable

A natural resource that cannot be produced or re-grown or reused.

zero-energy

A building with no energy consumption or carbon emissions annually.

non-native species

A species that originated somewhere other than its current location and has been introduced to the area where it now lives.

biome

A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominate communities

insulation

Materials in a building that keep temperatures within the structure consistent.

near-zero

Buildings that consume slightly more energy than they produce.