Environmental issues glossary

A glossary of words and phrases used in green construction and sustainable development.

T

Technology foresight

A process for establishing common views on future technology development strategies, typically seeking views from a large number of communities, including civic groups, as well as academic, government and industrial research bodies.

Thermal break

A material of low heat conductance used to reduce the flow of heat. For example, the vinyl separating the interior and exterior frames in some metal windows.

Thermal insulation

The goal of thermal insulation used in building construction is to slow down Heat transfer. The same materials are required to keep buildings cooler in hot climates, or warmer in cold climates; methods may be different because of the necessity to manage humidity buildup differently.

Thermal mass

Materials that have a high capacity for absorbing heat, and change temperature slowly. These materials are used to absorb and retain solar energy during the daytime for release at night or during cloudy periods; they include water, rocks, masonry, and earth.

Thermal storage capacity

The capacity for a building material to store heat internally from the sun, generally for later use or release.

Threshold

When used in reference to a species, an Ecosystem, or another natural system, it refers to the level beyond which further deterioration is likely to precipitate a sudden adverse, and possibly irreversible, change.

Timber certification

The process of accreditation of wood products to a designated standard. Timber certification developed internationally through the 1990’s and there are currently a number of certification schemes in use throughout the world.

Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES)

The amount of energy made available at source for transformation and end use. It is regulated for international trade such that imports are included and exports are excluded, it makes allowance for any change in the fuel stock of a country and, by convention, does not include fuel used for international transportation.

TPES = Indigenous Production + imports - exports - stock change - international transport

Traffic calming

Using measures to reduce the speed of traffic such as; speed humps, chicanes and home zones.

Transpiration

The evaporation of water from aerial parts of plants especially leaves but also stems, flowers and fruits. Transpiration is a side effect of the plant needing to open its stomata in order to obtain Carbon dioxide from the air for Photosynthesis. Transpiration also cools plants and enables mass flow of mineral nutrients from roots to shoots

Triple bottom line

An expanded baseline for measuring performance, adding social and environmental dimensions to the traditional monetary benchmark.

Troposphere

The region of the atmosphere closest to the Earth, extending from the surface up to about 10 km in altitude. Almost all weather takes place in the troposphere.

Visible transmittance (Tvis)

The visible transmittance is the fraction of visible light transmitted through a window.

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