Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
16
ENEA is Italy's National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable
Development (
www.enea.it
).
17
Diverging figures have been provided by other studies, which suggest that 15 per cent
of the 15 million square kilometres of deserts will be necessary to meet global primary
18
Thebiosphere istherelatively thinlayer that extends fromtheocean floortoanaltitude
of about 10 kilometres above the Earth. As the term suggests, it is the sphere that supports
life.
19
Conventional forestry involves cultivating trees until they have grown large enough
to be commercially mature. Depending on the species of tree and the quality of the land,
this takes between ten and forty years. Short rotation forestry refers to trees in very dense
plantations, harvested at intervals of three to eight years to provide a regular and renewable
supply of fuel.
20
Municipal solid waste, also known as urban solid waste, consists of matter discarded
by humans. In countries without significant recycling systems, municipal solid waste
predominantly includes food wastes, yard wastes, containers and product packaging, and
other miscellaneous wastes from homes and businesses. Most definitions of municipal
solid waste do not include industrial wastes, agricultural wastes, medical waste, or sewage
sludge. In countries with a developed recycling culture, the waste stream consists mainly
of intractable wastes such as plastic film and unrecyclable packaging.
21
NIMBY is an acronym for the phrase 'not in my backyard', and describes opposition
to a development project not on principle but because of its proximity to the objector.
22
The Clean Development Mechanism is one of the procedures for emissions reduction
defined in the Kyoto Protocol. It allows countries to gain 'credits' for steps taken to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, such as capturing methane. These credits may then be traded
with other countries or used domestically to increase the allowable quota of emissions.
