The Impact of Change: Top 20 Must-Know Sustainability Terms

“Playing small does not serve the world.”

-Marianne Williamson

Writer's block is a real, uninvited guest that’s been crashing at my place.

It’s been a few months since What’s Your Impact served up any fresh content, and let me tell you, my excuses are as lengthy and peculiar as they are genuine. I find myself wondering: Does anyone even care about what I’m writing? Am I sparking that “aha!” moment that inspires real, meaningful changes in their lives? What does sustainability even mean these days? Does anyone know or care? What’s trending in the world of sustainability, and how can I get more people to geek out over it like I do? And let’s be real—can my grand vision of “starting a movement” actually come to life?

The list of doubts was endless, but eventually, I had an epiphany: I’ve forgotten one crucial element of What’s Your Impact—me! It’s right there in the name: YOUR IMPACT. I needed to ask myself: “Why did I start this blog? What am I trying to achieve? What impact am I hoping to make?” After peeling back the layers, I kept landing on one powerful word: change. I launched this blog to inspire others to join me on this transformative journey. I wanted to demystify sustainability and make the mission more human — I wanted to empower YOU. The purpose of this blog is to be a relatable voice for our everyday struggles. As a quote by Marianne Williamson reminds me: “Playing small does not serve the world.” We all have the right and responsibility to make an IMPACT. Together, we can be a force for change.

Maybe we’re all searching for inspiration, a sense of contribution, or a way to feel connected in a seemingly disconnected world. Sometimes, we feel stuck in a rut and forget who we are, what our passions are, and what makes us feel truly alive. We get lost in the daily grind and forget to hit pause and gain some perspective.

I have an almost inexplicable passion for sustainability and finding solutions to improve our world. But beyond that, I wanted to see a change in myself—finding my voice to rally others to this incredible movement.

I’m not perfect and have never pretended to be. I’ve even questioned, “What gives me the authority to talk about sustainability and a closed-loop world when I’m not even ‘zero waste’ myself?” But in reality and on paper, I do have a multi-disciplined background in sustainability and energy. My research and insights are based on facts and educated opinions. I minored in atmospheric chemistry of pollution and microplastics before they were even trendy (or a buzzkill, depending on your perspective). I even had the opportunity to work for my University’s Environmental Center (‘sko Buffs!), managing LEED building analysis and reporting on Sustainability metrics. I’m currently in an industry that is driving the energy transition toward a carbon-free, resilient grid — ever evolving and continuing to be the greatest demand for our global economy. I even secretly want a superhero nickname like “Sustainable Steph”—alliteration and all. On paper, it all looks great, but it means nothing without PASSION. And let’s face it, passion without action is just a daydream. I’m passionate about spreading the word on sustainability and how we can all have an impact.

So now what?

What does this mean for sustainability moving forward? Why is it so difficult to spark a change and change our buying, thinking, and consumption habits?

My honest take: We are all a bit lazy when it comes to sustainability (myself included!)! It’s tough to swap convenience for eco-friendly choices when convenience is practically smacking us in the face. I fall into this trap too. But I’ve learned that progress happens in baby steps—crawl, walk, run—so we can build a strong foundation for our goals and ambitions. We can do this — who’s with me? Let’s reset and take action!

Staying educated is crucial, but jargon often gets tossed around as if we’re all walking dictionaries. To clear things up, we’ve consolidated top sustainability buzzwords and their meanings:

Top 20 Must-Know Sustainability Terms

1) Sustainability:
Sustainability refers to practices and processes that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It focuses on balancing environmental, economic, and social factors to maintain the health of the planet.

2) Circular Economy:
A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and promoting the continual use of resources by creating a closed loop where products, materials, and resources are reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled. This approach contrasts with the traditional linear economy of make, use, dispose.

3) Net Zero:
Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and the amount removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases. It is a key target for mitigating climate change.

4) Carbon-Neutral:
Carbon-neutral means balancing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted with an equivalent amount offset or sequestered, resulting in no net carbon emissions. This is often achieved through carbon offset projects or reducing emissions at the source.

5) Carbon-Free:
Carbon-free denotes the complete absence of carbon emissions in a particular process or product. This term is used to describe energy sources or technologies that do not emit carbon dioxide during operation, such as wind or solar power.

6) Eco-Friendly:
Eco-friendly describes products or practices that are not harmful to the environment. It implies efforts to reduce pollution, conserve resources, and promote sustainability.

7) Biodegradable:
Biodegradable refers to materials that can be broken down by natural processes and microorganisms into non-toxic components. This process occurs over a relatively short period compared to non-biodegradable materials.

8) Compostable:
Compostable materials are capable of breaking down into nutrient-rich compost when exposed to natural conditions like heat, moisture, and microorganisms. Compostable items typically decompose fully within a specific timeframe without leaving harmful residues.

9) Carbon Footprint:
A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by an individual, organization, or activity, typically expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide. It helps assess the impact of various activities on climate change.

10) Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Greenhouse gas emissions refer to the release of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming. These emissions come from various sources, including industrial processes, transportation, and agriculture.

11) Cradle-to-Cradle:
Cradle-to-cradle is a design philosophy that encourages the creation of products with the entire lifecycle in mind, ensuring that materials can be perpetually recycled or safely returned to the environment. It aims to eliminate waste and promote a regenerative cycle.

12) Closed Loop:
A closed loop system is one where waste products are continuously recycled back into the production process, minimizing the need for new raw materials and reducing waste. This approach aims to create a circular flow of resources.

13) E-Waste:
E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electronic devices such as computers, phones, and appliances. Proper disposal and recycling of e-waste are crucial to prevent environmental harm and recover valuable materials.

14) Biomimicry:
Biomimicry is the practice of designing products or systems inspired by the natural processes and structures found in biological organisms. It aims to create sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s efficiency and adaptability.

15) Microplastics:
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in diameter that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are manufactured at that size. They are pervasive pollutants that can harm aquatic life and enter the food chain.

16) Eco-Design:
Eco-design involves creating products with a focus on minimizing environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal. This approach considers factors like resource use, energy consumption, and recyclability.

17) Waste-to-Resource:
Waste-to-resource refers to the process of converting waste materials into valuable resources or products, such as recycling paper into new paper products or turning organic waste into compost. It aims to reduce waste and enhance resource efficiency.

18) Remanufacturing:
Remanufacturing involves rebuilding used products or components to restore them to a like-new condition, often incorporating upgraded parts or improvements. This process extends the lifespan of products and reduces the need for new raw materials.

19) Industrial Symbiosis:
Industrial symbiosis is a collaborative approach where businesses in a region or industry work together to use each other's by-products, share resources, and optimize processes, thereby reducing waste and resource consumption. It turns what would be waste for one company into a valuable resource for another, creating a network of mutually beneficial exchanges.

20) Regeneration:
Regeneration refers to the process of renewal and restoration of ecosystems, communities, or economies to restore their health and vitality. Unlike mere sustainability, which aims to maintain the status quo, regeneration seeks to improve and enhance systems beyond their original condition, fostering long-term resilience and abundance.

As we navigate the complexities of sustainability, remember that this journey is about more than just understanding buzzwords—it's about empowering ourselves and each other. By demystifying sustainability and making it a relatable, human-centered mission, we’re not just talking about change; we’re living it. Each of us has the power and responsibility to make a meaningful impact. So, let’s not just be passive observers; let’s join forces and actively drive the change we wish to see.