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Agroforestry

Growing trees and crops together to improve soil and biodiversity.

Animal Manure

Waste from animals used as natural fertilizer.

Aquaculture

Farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.

Biological Control

Using natural predators or parasites to control pests.

Broad-spectrum Pesticides

Chemicals that kill many types of pests, including beneficial insects.

Bycatch

Unintended capture of non-target species during fishing.

CAA (Clean Air Act) 1970

U.S. Federal law regulating atmospheric pollution to protect air quality.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) - Six Criteria Pollutants:

1. SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)

2. NOₓ (Nitrogen Oxides)

3. PM (Particulate Matter)

4. O₃ (Tropospheric Ozone / Bad Ozone)

5. CO (Carbon Monoxide)

6. Pb (Lead)

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Key Amendments & Court Rulings:

• 1990 Sulfur Cap-and-Trade: Companies can buy/sell SO₂ allowances → lowered SO₂ emissions

• 2007 Supreme Court: CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide) classified as an air pollutant

• 2012 Federal Appeals Court: EPA allowed to limit greenhouse gases (GHGs) including O₃, NOₓ, CO, CO₂

CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations)

Large industrial livestock farms with high animal density.

CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act “Superfund Act”) 1980

U.S Federal law to clean up hazardous waste sites and hold polluters responsible.

Superfund & Hazardous Waste Cleanup:

• Taxes on chemical/petroleum industries fund a trust for hazardous waste cleanup

• EPA designates Superfund Sites needing hazardous waste remediation

• Worst sites go on the National Priority List (NPL) for extra oversight

• Origin: Lois Gibbs protested Love Canal, NY — first Superfund site

• 1986 SARA Act:

  • Created Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA)

  • Set up State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) & Local Emergency Planning Commissions (LEPCs)

• Brownfields: Former Superfund sites cleaned & reused with sustainable urban design (expanded 2002 & 2018)

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) 1975

International treaty regulating trade of endangered species.

• Prohibits poaching (illegal killing) and international trade in endangered species and their parts

• Protects fauna (animal species) and flora (plant species)

Clearcutting

Logging method where all trees in an area are cut down.

Compost

Decomposed organic material used to enrich soil.

Contour Plowing

Plowing along land contours to reduce soil erosion.

Crop Rotation

Growing different crops in the same field to maintain soil health.

CWA (Clean Water Act) 1972

U.S Federal law to protect water quality by regulating aquatic pollution

Clean Water Act (CWA) - Surface Water Protection:

• Protects surface waters: fresh, brackish, marine in US & borders

• Goal: Keep waters swimmable & fishable

• Monitors native aquatic habitats & species

• EPA sets pollution limits & restores chemical, physical, biological health of waters

Delaney Clause (1958) / Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&CA)

U.S. Federal law targeting public health/toxicology

Prohibits carcinogenic (cancer causing) substances in food and drugs.

Examinant Domain

Government power to take private land for public use ex: building roads, schools, or parks.

ESA (Endangered Species Act) 1973

U.S Federal law to protect biodiversity

Endangered Species Act (ESA):

• Threatened: Likely to become endangered soon

• Endangered: Likely to become extinct soon within their range

• Protects species and their critical habitat

Externality

A side effect of an activity that affects others (often environmental harm).

Famine

Severe food shortage causing widespread hunger.

Fisheries

Places or industries involved in catching fish.

Free-range Meat

Meat from animals allowed to roam outdoors naturally.

GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Organisms with altered DNA for desired traits.

Green Manure

Plants grown and plowed into soil to improve fertility.

Green Revolution

Period of increased agricultural production using new technology.

Infill

Developing vacant land within existing urban areas.

Intercropping

Growing two or more crops together to improve yield and pest control.

IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

Combining biological, cultural, and chemical methods to control pests sustainably.

ITQs (Individual Transferable Quotas)

Fishing limits allocated to individuals to prevent overfishing.

Kyoto Protocol 1997

International treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Targets 6 Greenhouse Gases:

1. CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

2. CH₄ (Methane)

3. N₂O (Nitrous Oxide)

4. HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons)

5. PFCs (Perfluorochemicals)

6. SF₆ (Sulfur Hexafluoride)

Lacey Act 2008

U.S. Federal law against illegal wildlife trade/biodiversity

• Prohibits illegal killing (poaching) & transporting species across state lines to sell for profit

• Enacted in 1900 to protect large game animals

• 2008 Amendment: Added protection for several plant species

Light Pollution

Excessive artificial light that disrupts ecosystems and human health.

Malnutrition

Poor nutrition from insufficient or unbalanced diet.

Monocropping

Growing only one crop over a large area repeatedly.

Montreal Protocol 1987

Global agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances

• Agreement to phase out CFCs (used in aerosols & refrigerants)

• CFCs deplete stratospheric ozone (good ozone) & are greenhouse gases (GHGs)

• Phased out chemicals based on high Global Warming Potential (GWP) and/or Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP)

• Chemicals phased out:

  • CFCs

  • HCFCs

  • HFCs

• HFOs (Hydrofluoroolefins): 0 ODP, very low GWP (safer alternatives)

MSY (Maximum Sustainable Yield)

Largest catch that can be taken from a fishery without harming future stocks.

Narrow-spectrum Pesticides

Pesticides targeting specific pests, minimizing harm to others.

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) 1970

Requires environmental impact assessments for federal projects

• Created EPA as regulator over polluters

• Established Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to advise president annually on NEPA

• Federal projects with permits/funds/employees must file an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

• EIS analyzes how a project affects the environment

No-till Farming

Farming without disturbing the soil to reduce erosion.

Overgrazing

Excessive grazing that damages vegetation and soil.

Overnutrition

Excessive intake of nutrients causing health problems.

Paris Agreement 2015-2016

Global pact to limit global warming through emission reductions.

RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) 1976

U.S. Federal law that regulates waste management and disposal

• Regulated from cradle to grave (creation to disposal)

• 1984 HSWA (Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments):

  • Strengthened regulations under RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)

Resource Conservation Ethic

Belief in using resources wisely and sustainably.

SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) 1974

U.S. Federal law that ensures safe public drinking water quality

• Sets national standards for safe drinking water, surface water, and groundwater

• Establishes Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for 70+ pollutants

• MCLs based on toxicity and cost of reduction

Selective Cutting

Harvesting only some trees to maintain forest health.

Smart Growth

Urban planning that promotes sustainable, efficient development.

Soil Salinization

Build-up of salts in soil, harming plant growth.

Taylor Grazing Act

Regulates grazing on public lands to prevent overuse.

Terracing

Creating stepped fields on slopes to reduce erosion.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse of shared resources leading to depletion

Transit-oriented Development

Building communities near public transit to reduce car use.

Undernutrition

Lack of sufficient calories or nutrients.

Urban blight

Decay and neglect in city areas.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Cities becoming warmer due to human activities and surfaces

Urban Sprawl

Unplanned, spread-out urban growth causing habitat loss.

Waterlogging

Soil saturated with water, harming plants.

Zoning

Rules dividing land into areas for specific uses (residential, commercial, etc.).

SMCRA (Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act) 1977

U.S. Federal law that targets land use/mining

• holds mining companies legally and financially responsible for reclamation = restoration

• land topography, soils, and native vegetation must be restored after mining activity takes place