GEF

240 Glossary DOWN CYCLE  A recycling practice that involves breaking an item down into its component elements or materials. Once the constituent elements or materials are recovered, they are reused, if possible, but usually as a lower-value product. DRIP IRRIGATION  Type of irrigation in which water drips slowly to plant roots through a network of valves, pipes, or tubing, thereby saving water and fertilizers. EARTH SYSTEMS  Large-scale realms of the Earth that are interdependent with each other, such as the atmosphere and the oceans. ECOLOGICAL DEFICIT  A situation in which the ecological footprint exceeds biocapacity, resulting in ecological degradation. ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS  An approach to eco- nomics that integrates the Earth’s natural systems, human values, and human health and wellbeing with the market economy. ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT  The impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources. ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS  Large-scale components of the Earth, such as the oceans, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. ECOLOGY  The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment. ECONOMIC GROWTH  Increase in economic activity, normally measured by the rate of goods and services provided, investment, and government spending. ECONOMIC INCENTIVES  Money or prizes used to encourage individuals or businesses to act a certain way. ECONOMICS  The discipline that studies the pro- duction, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. ECOPSYCHOLOGISTS  Psychologists who empha- size the essential role of the natural world in supporting mental health. ECOSYSTEM  Biological communities of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and other organisms in combination with their environment. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES  Natural resources and services, such as water purification and crop pollina- tion, that are of value to people. ECOTOURISM  Tourism centered around natural habitats, which promotes environmental steward- ship and economic incentives for conservation. ELEMENT  A pure chemical substance containing one type of atom. EMBODIED ENERGY  The sum of energy inputs used to make a product, including extraction and refining materials, production, transportation, and disposal; embodied energy accounts for the total energy necessary for an entire product life cycle. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT  U.S. legislation requiring development restrictions and recovery plans in areas where it is shown that human activity threatens biological species with extinction. ENDEMIC  Species that are native to a particular area and not found elsewhere. ENERGY EFFICIENCY  Using less energy to achieve the same level of goods or services. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)  A federal agency in the U.S. responsible for protect- ing human health and the environment.