GEF

238 Glossary ACID RAIN  Unusually acidic rain water that is caused by air pollution, primarily sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. Acid rain harms soil and ecosystem health. AGROFORESTRY  A sustainable farming method in which farmers intersperse crops with stands of trees, increasing yield, preventing erosion, increasing biodiversity, and providing a supply of timber and other products. AQUIFERS  Underground layers of porous rock that allow the movement of water between layers of non- porous rock; they are important and critical sources of water for agriculture in many parts of the world. ATMOSPHERE  The gases that surround the Earth and form a protective layer from external radiation and temperature extremes. BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT  Region of the Earth with very high levels of biological diversity, such as the Amazon basin. BIODIVERSITY  The range of species and habitats that make up life on planet Earth. BIOFUEL  A fuel (e.g. wood or ethanol) produced from natural raw materials, such as agricultural crops or vegetable waste. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES  Cycles that describe the movement of molecules, such as carbon or water, through earth systems, such as the oceans, atmosphere, soils, and rocks. BIOLOGICAL CORRIDOR  An area of protected habitat that allows species to move through devel- oped areas. BIOMAGNIFICATION  Increase in concentration of a chemical as it moves through a food chain. BIOMASS  Organic material that can serve as a source of fuel. BIOMIMICRY  Using natural design principles as models for creating sustainable technology. BIOPHILIA  A hypothesis popularized by biologist E.O. Wilson that proposes that people have an innate and powerful connection to nature due to our evolutionary history. BIOSPHERE  The parts of the land, sea, and atmo- sphere in which organisms are able to live. BLOCK PRICING  A water pricing structure in which users pay higher rates with higher levels of use. BRUNDTLAND REPORT  A report issued by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), credited with defining and drawing attention to sustainable development as a political and environmental imperative. BUILDING-INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAICS  Electricity-producing solar components that are built into building materials. CAP AND TRADE  A system that sets an upper limit on the amount of greenhouse gases an organiza- tion may produce but allows further capacity to be bought from other organizations that have not used their full allowance. CAPITALISM  An economic system that includes the private ownership of resources, prices for goods set by markets, and the free movement of financial capital. CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE (CCS)  The process of trapping carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels or any other chemical or biologi- cal process and storing it in such a way that it is unable to affect the atmosphere.